Comanche ‘captive’ bonds with birds of prey at Sia
BY SCOTT RAINS STAFF WRITER SRAINS@LAWTON-CONSTITUTION.COM
CYRIL — The name of one of the last Comanche “captives” is Queni mahqueetsoi okweetunii. But you can call him Troy. “Troy works, just call him that,” said Bill Voelker by way of introducing his blond brother and partner in Sia: The Comanche Nation Ethno-Ornithological Initiative. Over the last four decades, the two men have made it their mission to work with and raise eagles and other raptors to preserve both the birds and Indian culture and rituals. The Comanche people and the birds seem to have always been a part of Troy, Voelker explained. “Troy met my grandmother (Mary Wahkinney) when he was 19. She immediately recognized his ability with the eagles,” Voelker said. “Troy has lived his life in the traditional way ever since my grandmother ‘took him in’ in the old traditional way of taking captives. In the old Comanche way, once you were taken in, you’re family.” Once adopted into a family, Comanche captives traditionally attained the same rights and recognition as any other Comanche and could rise to any honor. The Sia program involves close personal interaction between human and bird — bonds of trust have to be built over time, Voelker said. Tema, a 5-year-old auger buzzard, keeps her “hawk’s” eye on her “mate” as he carries Sheva, a Peruvian hawk eagle, on his arm while touring Sia’s garden. Once Sheva was returned to her home, Troy took Tema to arm and the two nestled their faces in a show of affection. Voelker and Troy recently returned from this year’s eagle survey through the old Comanche lands; it was 29 years ago that Troy earned his Comanche name while the two were checking eagles nests near the Laramie River in Wyoming. Grandmother Wahkinney gave Troy the name “Queni mahqueetsoi okweetunii” upon the duo’s return from the 1980 survey. She gave her blonde captive the name before she’d even heard of his disregard for personal safety in saving the two eaglets, Voelker said. “The translation of his Comanche name is ‘He who saves the eagle from the waters.’ Without her knowledge of the event, Troy had rescued two fledgling eaglets from a raging river,” Voelker said. “The two eagles had jumped prematurely from their nest in an ancient cottonwood tree and were swept into the river running just below the nest tree. My grandmother, Mary Wahkinney, somehow knew of this event even before we returned to relate it to her.” “His name’s a strong name and that’s how he got it,” Voelker said. STEVE MILLER/STAFF Troy and Tema nestle their faces in a show of affection. The closeness of Troy’s relationship with the raptors of Sia is bound by a trust usually reserved for mates.
