While other tribal nations have prioritized vaccinations for first language speakers and elders, it's unclear, outside of social media posts, how the Kiowa Tribe communicated with tribal citizens and the community at large about lifesaving vaccinations. And some elders don't use computers, let alone social media.

That can be a problem when internet service in some rural communities in Oklahoma isn't as robust. There's no coordinated efforts from the administration to really provide a cohesive program of outreach and of information,' said Tsotigh. 'And dissemination is largely dependent on social media.' 'That's one of the frustrations we have as a tribe. But some, like District 7 legislator Jacob Tsotigh, say the efforts to get Kiowas vaccinated haven't been aggressive enough.

Kiowa leadership established a COVID-19 response unit to process applications for relief funds for citizens who lost work or need financial assistance during the pandemic. The tribal nation received $26 million in CARES Act money. Last year's gathering was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 72-year-old is a master of ceremonies at the Kiowa Tribe's annual Black Leggings Warrior Society gatherings, a long held tradition that honors veterans and warriors dating back almost 200 years. And he got sick and seven days later was dead,' said Ahtone. 'His wife died about a week and a half later for the same reason.

'I have a very close friend that I grew up with, my age. For Ahtone, who recently attended the funeral of a friend, the loss has taken a toll. More than 30 Kiowa first language speakers, singers and people with important cultural knowledge like Ahtone have died from COVID-19, including two tribal legislators who died within a four month period. That's just one of many stories Ahtone tells of how the Kiowa came to understand the world. And so there was this one particular place that he wanted to concentrate on. 'Tornado happens because Saynday was coming along one time and he saw all these things going on and he didn't see many more. Vernon 'Cy' Ahtone, a Kiowa elder and culture bearer, has some insight into why tornadoes happen. That's especially true for the Kiowa Tribe in Southwest Oklahoma. In some tribal nations, the virus has taken first language speakers and the culture bearers who hold knowledge that marks the tribal nation's identity. The pandemic has hit Indigenous communities particularly hard. In February, the United States passed the grim milestone of 500,000 deaths from COVID-19.

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