Support Nora: Honoring Elder Morgan Otis

There is a special blessing reserved for those who would remember and honor Native American elders. Recently when one of the most wonderful American Indians went home to be with the Creator, it left a painful void for his widow and she was saddled with many uncovered debts from his passing.

Please find it in your hearts to honor a truly great tribal elder, Morgan Otis, by reading about his life here and making a donation to his widow, Nora, to be able to cover the debts. Anyone who gives $1000 or more will recieve an arrowhead from Morgan's own personal collection. Everyone who makes a gift of any amount will have a special blessing said over their name.

Thank you for caring about Native Americans and making a memory that counts.

DR. MORGAN G. OTIS

Biographical Background

Dr. Morgan G. Otis is known by this name, but he possesses other Indian names and values that come to him from some of his famous ancestors. By descent he is Kiowa from his father, and Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho from his mother.

Dr. Otis’ mother is a grand niece of Head Chief Little Raven of the Southern Arapaho Tribe. Chief Little Raven was referred to as the Indian sage and diplomat of the plains. During the latter part of the 19th century, Little Raven and Yellow Bear, the second chief of the Southern Arapahos, were the leaders of their people.

The art of waging war was the duty of the Dog Soldier Chief and great warrior Yellow Bear, and his faithful brother friend, Sageman. Sageman along with other Arapaho warriors fought valiantly in the famous Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. Sageman was the most decorated fighter of the tribe, and the only man entitled to wear heraldic white buffalo horns on his eagle bonnet. He was a full

brother to Little Raven and was the great-great grandfather of Dr. Otis. In Sageman’s honor, Dr. Otis has the Arapaho name Strikes the Soldier’s Face, which is the Arapaho word, “Ho-a-caw.”

On the paternal side, his ancestral heritage includes many famous Kiowa chiefs and Dog Soldier warriors as well. In the 18th century, Chief Wolf Lying Down was cast into the role of peacemaker by chance. He took the initiative and by his actions, an everlasting peace was made between the Comanches and Kiowas who

had been bitter enemies. Chief Wolf Lying Down was Dr. Otis’ grandfather five generations ago and he carries his name, which in the Kiowa language is translated “Gui-kaw-tay,” a truly honored Kiowa name.

In addition, Dr. Otis’ great-great grandfather Zotom was a Kiowa Dog Soldier who distinguished himself as a warrior fighting for freedom and the Kiowa way of life. Zotom was arrested by the U.S. Cavalry along with 26 other Kiowa chiefs and warriors and was sent to St. Augustine, Florida as a prisoner of war in 1875. The

artwork Zotom produced during his imprisonment is now displayed in museums and collections around the world, and he has become known as one of the most famous Indian ledger artists.

As to his early education, Morgan G. Otis grew up in the Indian camps of Oklahoma. He attended Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools at Concho and Riverside in Oklahoma.

He served his country in the United States Navy, receiving two letters of commendation for bravery. He then went on to receive his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in science from California State University, Chico. He taught for several years in the California public school system.

Dr. Otis earned his Ph.D. from the University of California Berkeley in education, concentrating in instructional research and curriculum development. He made American Indian values the focus of his research for his doctoral dissertation.

His knowledge and professional experience placed him in leadership positions in state and national education organizations. He was a member of the National Organization for American Indian Opportunity. He was named the first Chairman of the Human Relations Commission for the California Teachers Association, and was a member of the Credentials Committee of the National

Education Association. He also served as a past President of the California Indian Education Association.

Dr. Morgan G. Otis was a tenured professor in the School of Education at California State University, Sacramento where he received two awards for outstanding professor. He has experience in administration as the President of D-Q University, a California tribal college. Dr. Otis holds the title of Professor Emeritus at California State University, Sacramento.

*Adapted from a bio written by Zotom Otis, Morgan G. Otis, Sr.