Cultural Gathering | Kansas Roots & Roads

When most people hear the words "Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty," they think of a historic event that took place more than 150 years ago. But after sitting down with Joscelyn Nittler, president of the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Association and Deb Kolb, association board member and Powwow coordinator; it became clear that Medicine Lodge is about much more than history.

Their stories weren't focused on dates and documents. Instead, they spoke about people, traditions, and relationships that continue to bring generations together. They spoke about a place that has long served as a gathering ground and continues to do so today.

Nestled among the rolling Gypsum Hills of south-central Kansas, Medicine Lodge is where history, culture, and community meet. Long before roads crossed the prairie and towns dotted the landscape, the area where Medicine Lodge River and Elm Creek converge served as a gathering place for Native peoples. Different tribes came here for hunting, ceremonies, trade, and seasonal gatherings, making it a natural meeting place on the Southern Plains. That spirit of gathering remains at the heart of Medicine Lodge today

Where History Comes Home

One of the most meaningful aspects of Medicine Lodge is that the descendants of those connected to its story continue to return.

Each year, the intertribal powwow welcomes participants from many Native nations, while special efforts are made to invite members of the Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes—the same tribes connected to the 1867 treaty.

For Joscelyn Nittler, that annual gathering is about far more than an event. "It's a reunion. It's a homecoming," she said. "It's a way to honor traditions."

Unlike many historical reenactments, Medicine Lodge is not simply telling history from the outside looking in. Members of the tribes themselves continue to return and participate in both the powwow and the pageant, bringing their own traditions, perspectives, and family histories with them. Descendants who came as settlers shortly after the Treaty was signed have created their own traditions as actors in the pageant. Their involvement helps ensure that the story remains a living one rather than a retelling of the past.

That commitment to honoring multiple perspectives continues to shape the future of Medicine Lodge.

As new interpretive exhibits, outdoor museums, and educational projects are developed throughout Memorial Peace Park and the community, organizers are intentionally creating space for different voices to be heard.

"We fully recognize that there's a minimum of five other views," Deb explained about the treaty signing in 1867. "We're creating opportunities for those stories to all be in the same space."

From tribal histories and family stories to ranching traditions and settlement experiences, the goal is not to present a single version of the past, but to create opportunities for visitors to learn from many perspectives.

Families who participated decades ago still take part today. Some can trace their involvement through five and six generations, while others are newcomers who have found their place through volunteering, performing, or supporting the event behind the scenes.

"It's a tradition and a reunion for everyone that's been involved," Nittler said.

The pageant itself is a remarkable undertaking. More than 1,000 volunteers contribute their time and and talents, helping maintain historic wagons, care for livestock, organize events, manage logistics, prepare grounds, welcome visitors, and preserve traditions that have been passed down through generations.

For many local residents, participation isn't simply volunteering—it's part of who they are.

Beyond the Pageant

While every three years the pageant remains the community's signature event, Medicine Lodge offers visitors opportunities to experience the area throughout the year.

Memorial Peace Park encompasses over 300 acres that include the natural amphitheater, powwow grounds, hiking trails, interpretive exhibits, outdoor museum spaces, and scenic prairie views. New projects continue to expand opportunities for learning, exploration, and outdoor recreation while highlighting the stories and traditions that make the area unique.

For Deb Kolb, the connection people feel to the land is immediate.

"You can't go down there and not notice that you're in a special place—a blessed place," she said. Whether visitors are attending the powwow, exploring the trails, learning from outdoor exhibits, or simply enjoying the beauty of the Gypsum Hills, many discover that Medicine Lodge offers something increasingly rare—a genuine connection to place.

Carrying the Story Forward

It lives through the people who continue to care for it.

From maintaining grounds and restoring wagons to organizing events, welcoming visitors, and building relationships with tribal partners, countless volunteers help ensure that future generations can experience the same sense of connection that has drawn people to this place for centuries.

For Joscelyn Nittler, Deb Kolb and many others, that work is not about preserving a moment in time. It is about creating opportunities for people to gather, learn, and share stories.

As Nittler reflected, "It's a tradition and a reunion for everyone that's been involved."

More than 150 years after the treaty was signed, Medicine Lodge remains what it has always been—a gathering place where people come together, where traditions are honored, and where the stories of the past continue to inspire new generations.