"My name is Joseph Pondillo, and I am a senior studying Political Science and Social Transformation Studies. I am currently conducting research for the Kansas Treaties project, which focuses on the displacement of the Kaw people, specifically within Kansas. What drew me to this project was my desire to provide an accurate history of how the Kaw people were treated through their displacement. As someone from an Indigenous background and a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, this work holds personal significance. It serves as a reminder of why it is essential to bring light to settler colonialism and the importance of creating decolonized spaces. Being that K-State is the first land grant university, it is even more important to recognize these truths.

In my research, I have focused on uncovering information about the Kaw treaties of 1859 and 1862. Through the process of examining public records and newspaper accounts, I’ve encountered troubling depictions of the Kaw people. Public newspapers from the time were filled with opinions about the removal of Indigenous people, including ideas on land claims by squatters, with language that diminished the identity of the Kaw Nation. Reading these sources was an eye opening experience, as the attitudes expressed toward the Kaw were reflective of broader societal views toward many Indian tribes and nations at the time."

Visit kansastreaties.com to learn more about our Treaties project!

We're so excited to have you on board, Joseph! We just KNOW you will continue to do great things!