Kiowa Storytelling Around a Map

This chapter describes the use of Kiowa historical and contemporary maps as mediation spaces to gain a better understanding of Kiowa geographies through participant storytelling. Indigenous people use maps and geographic information systems (GIS) for land and water rights litigation, education, and cultural preservation. However, very little research has been conducted on the use of digital maps and now GIS to elicit stories or tell personal histories. In other words, the map becomes a space for mediation, interpretation, and revision. It is also very important to include native language and storytelling as an extension of the map itself. The first case study presents the use of a Kiowa historical map as a space for telling stories by Kiowa participants. Participant stories are often indirectly related to the map itself, but contain important personal histories and travel narratives adding richness to place. The second case study focuses on the creation of a digital multimedia map, used by the Kiowa during a political transitional period involving the revision of their tribal government Constitution. I will conclude by addressing the pros and cons of each use of maps for digital storytelling.