James Auchiah

James Auchiah (1906–1974) was a Kiowa painter and one of the Kiowa Six from Oklahoma.

Early life James Auchiah was born on 17 November 1906 in Oklahoma Territory, near present-day Meers and Medicine Park, Oklahoma. His father was Mark Auchiah, and his grandfathers were Chief Satanta and Red Tipi, a medicine man, bundle keeper and ledger artist, respectively.

Auchiah was a student in government schools, where he was not supported in learning about his Kiowas culture. In 1890 the tribe was forcibly not allowed by the white soldiers to perform the Sun Dance, which is their most spiritual dance. Afterwards the tribe did not try to perform the dance. Auchiah first studied art at St. Patrick's Indian Mission School in Anadarko, Oklahoma, under Sister Olivia Taylor, a Choctaw nun. His love for art was such that in elementary school, he was caught painting in class. As punishment, the teacher made him finish his painting instead of eating dinner. The young Auchiah said in response that was fine with him, "I would rather paint than eat." The skills of several young Kiowa living near Anadarko, Oklahoma had caught the eye of a government field matron, Susan Peters, in 1920. She noticed the artistic talent of Kiowa children and teens as they drew sketches on feed bags while waiting for their parents receiving rations at the government Kiowa field office. Susan Peters arranged for four young Kiowa, later adding a fifth student, James Auchiah, in helping them enter art classes at the University of Oklahoma. Peters arranged for Mrs. Willie Baze Lane, an artist from Chickasha, Oklahoma to provide further art instruction for the young Indians, including Auchiah. Recognizing the talent of some of the young artists, Peters convinced Swedish-American artist, Oscar Jacobson, director of the University of Oklahoma's School of Art, to accept the Kiowa students into a special program at the school. They were coached and encouraged by Edith Mahier.

Kiowa Six The Kiowa Six, included six artists: Spencer Asah, James Auchiah, Jack Hokeah, Stephen Mopope, Lois Smoky Kaulaity and Monroe Tsatoke. James Auchiah was the last to join the group at OU in 1926.

Sun Dance The last Sun Dance took place on the Washita River above Rainy Mountain Creek in 1887. The Sun Dance is a sacred dance for the Kiowa, especially when the Dance involved the Sun Dance Doll, Tai-Me. Tai-Me characterized the most powerful medicine and symbolized a Kiowa's spiritual well being. The final time Tai-Me was represented in the dance was in 1887, the last time the dance took place.

He joined the US Coast Guard during World War II. Later he taught art and was an illustrator for the US Department of the Interior.