Wichita in Sedgwick County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Stories
The Wisdom of Storytelling
| | Plains Indians Life, Beliefs and Practices | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
1. Stories Marker
Gathered as a group at night around the fire, the tribe used storytelling to draw the community closer together. In each story lay a lesson. A bit of wisdom for the younger tribal members to carry with them through life. To the Indians, storytelling represented communication, entertainment and education. Though often conveyed verbally, stories were recorded through symbols. This is an example of a traditional hunting story.
[Symbol 1] A man rose early one morning
[Symbol 2] And went into the mountains where he had a vision
[Symbol 3] He knew he needed food for his people
[Symbol 4] He traveled for one day, one night, another day, another night
[Symbol 5] Early the next morning
[Symbol 6] He spotted a buck
[Symbol 7] He shot it with one shot
[Symbol 8] He killed the deer
[Symbol 9-14 need transcription]
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education • Entertainment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 37° 41.484′ N, 97° 21.003′ W. Marker is in Wichita, Kansas, in Sedgwick County. It can be reached
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Women (here, next to this marker); Buffalo (here, next to this marker); Warriors (here, next to this marker); Keeper of the Plains (here, next to this marker); Tribes (here, next to this marker); Ceremony (here, next to this marker); Dream Animals (a few steps from this marker); Tipis (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita.
Also see . . .
1. Native American Indian Legends and Folklore.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
2. Symbols on Stories Marker
2. Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Wichita. Museum website homepage (Submitted on June 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Circle of Stories: Native Storytelling. PBS website entry (Submitted on June 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. The Keeper of the Plains. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 26, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
3. Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the remaining story symbols • Can you help?
