Victor Griffin

Early life Victor Griffin was born around 1873 in Indian Territory in what is now Osage County, Oklahoma. Griffin was orphaned at a young age and was raised by his grandmother Mary "Widow" Stafford.

Details about the early life of Griffin are scant and conflicting. Mary Stafford was born prior to the first Quapaw removal, and died at over 100 years of age and was buried on her home allotment. Due to his upbringing with Stafford, Griffin was fluent in the Quapaw language and well versed in tribal oral history. Griffin was given the Quapaw name Geh-Hu-He Jinka.

Translation and linguistic work Being well educated and well spoken in both English and Quapaw, Griffin frequently served as a translator during meetings or when an elderly Quapaw tribal member needed his services, for example when drafting a will.

He was interviewed by many individuals such as news reporters and researchers. In 1940, linguist Frank T. Siebert interviewed Griffin regarding the Quapaw language; Griffin provided several Quapaw words to Siebert and stated to him "that Quapaw was closely related to Ponca and Omaha, especially to the latter... (you) should study these languages instead".

Political career After the death of the John Quapaw, the previous tribal chief, Griffin was elected chief on April 3, 1929, defeating Antione Greenback for the office. He served from 1929 to 1957.

During his tenure as chief, he frequently went to Washington D.C. for meetings in the interest of the Quapaw Tribe. It is noted that he met with every President of the United States that served during his time as chief. Griffin was also noted for being the first "Short-Haired Chief of the Quapaws," because he cut off his braids. He was quoted as saying "formerly our chiefs were chosen by inheritance but now we are elected". Griffin also featured prominently in the commemorative festivities when paving was completed for Route 66 in Quapaw, Oklahoma on March 24, 1933. The two halves of Route 66 met in the town of Quapaw, leading to the town being referred to in some instances as "where east meets west." Griffin laid a zinc tablet on Main Street to memorialize the event.

In 1956, the Quapaw Tribe, influenced by the Bureau of Indian Affairs,

Native American Church involvement John Wilson (Caddo-Delaware), also known as Moonhead, introduced the Peyote religion to the Quapaw people living near present-day Quapaw, Oklahoma, in 1880 Because Roman Catholic missionaries had influenced Quapaw religion, their practice of peyotism incorporates aspects of Catholicism. Following John Wilson's death, Griffin became the Native American Church priest to the Quapaw.

He also was instrumental in the incorporation of the Native American Church under Oklahoma law in 1911, the incorporation of the religion specified the use of peyote as a sacrament.

Death and legacy Griffin died at his home residence near the Spring River outside of the town of Quapaw, in Ottawa County, OK, in 1958 at the approximate age of 85.

Griffin was survived by two sons: Sidney Griffin of Lawton, Oklahoma and Hayes of Wichita, Kansas; two daughters:Mrs. Ardina Buergey and Mrs. Victoria Waters, both of Quapaw; twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Native American church, and of the Baptist Church at Devil's Promenade.

Some images and heirlooms from the Griffin family are on display at the Robert Whitebird Cultural Center.