Recognition of a Cheyenne medicine man who lived in the area even before the 1889 Land Run that brought white settlement was hailed as a “grand gesture” by current tribal Governor Reggie Wassana.

Wassana was one of several dignitaries and family members who spoke at the unveiling of the Lame Bull bas relief sculpture at the newly-built Kingfisher Visitor Center last Friday.

He also shared some additional thoughts Monday in a phone conversation with the Times & Free Press.

“I believe the tribe is more than happy and excited that Kingfisher wanted to recognize an indigenous person who lived there prior to the Land Run,” he said. “That helps strengthen the bond that already exists between the tribes and the community.”

Wassana grew up on his grandparent’s allotment north of Weatherford, where he graduated from high school before earning a degree in busines administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes formed an alliance in the early 1800s before becoming one nation with a single government.

The chief executive office of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes was initially known as chairman.

Wassana is the fourth governor to serve since the office was changed to that designation.

Lame Bull, a prominent member of the Dog Soldier War Society, fought in the Battle of Little Big Horn, among others and lived most of his life in what is now the states of Montana and South Dakota.

But he spent his latter years at his camp in what is now western Kingfisher County. He and his wife are buried on that same allotment, which still remains in the Lamebull family.

“This is a grand gesture to recognize individuals who were here prior to white settlement,” Wassana said. “It marks the tribes’ role in the history of this area.”

The Lame Bull sculpture was commissioned by his descendant, Bob Lamebull of El Reno, who commissioned the sculpture from Kingfisher artist John Gooden.

Also speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Gooden said he choos-chooses subjects for his sculptures that have historical significance.

“Other artists may sculpt people who are beautiful to look at, but I want my work to tell a story and preserve a bit of our history,” he said.