Introduction
Wanada Page Parker (Comanche name: Woon-ar-dy), born in 1887 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma Territory, embodied resilience and cultural pride as the daughter of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche Nation, and his wife Alice Tope-se-up Parker. Her life spanned 83 years, during which she navigated dual educational systems, experienced personal tragedy, and served her community with unwavering dedication.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1887 at Fort Sill, Indian Territory (now Lawton, Oklahoma), Wanada grew up at the crossroads of Comanche tradition and Western expansion.
- Birth Year: 1887
- Birthplace: Fort Sill, Indian Territory (Lawton, OK)
- Comanche Name: Woon-ar-dy (“Stand up and be strong”)
Educational Timeline
| Year | Age | Institution | Location | Role/Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 16 | Fort Sill Indian School | Fort Sill, OK | Girls’ dormitory student |
| 1904–1907 | 17–20 | Chilocco Indian School | Kay County, OK | Secondary education |
| 1908–1910 | 21–23 | Carlisle Indian School | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Advanced tribal and mainstream curricula |
During her time at Fort Sill (1903), Wanada lived in the girls’ dormitory, studying basic literacy, arithmetic, and Comanche cultural traditions. At Chilocco (1904–1907), she mastered English language arts and vocational training in sewing and domestic sciences. By 1908, she traveled over 1,200 miles to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she completed advanced coursework in teacher training and cultural exchange programs.
Marriage and Family
Wanada’s personal life was marked by two marriages and the challenges of early 20th‑century health crises.
| Event | Date | Age | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Marriage to Walter Komah | May 12, 1908 | 21 | Mescalero, New Mexico |
| Death of Walter Komah | April 3, 1912 | 24 | Mescalero, New Mexico |
| Second Marriage to Benjamin H. Page | December 18, 1916 | 29 | Comanche County, OK |
| Children | 1918–1925 | 31–38 | Lawton, OK |
- Marriage to Walter Komah (1908): At age 21, Wanada wed fellow Comanche Walter Komah and relocated to Mescalero, NM.
- Widowhood (1912): Four years later, Walter succumbed to tuberculosis at age 24, prompting Wanada’s return to Lawton, OK.
- Marriage to Benjamin H. Page (1916): On December 18, 1916, in Comanche County, she married Benjamin Page; the couple raised three children between 1918 and 1925.
Community Involvement
Wanada’s leadership and activities showed her religion and community dedication.
| Role | Institution | Location | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charter Member | Comanche Reformed Church | Lawton, OK | 1917–1970 |
| Assistant Matron | Fort Sill Indian School | Fort Sill, OK | 1920–1945 |
| Reunion Attendee | First Parker Family Reunion | Fort Parker, TX | June 1953 |
- Comanche Reformed Church (1917–1970): As a charter member, Wanada organized weekly services, Sunday school classes, and annual community dinners, serving over 200 congregants by the 1940s.
- Fort Sill Indian School (1920–1945): In her role as assistant matron, she oversaw dormitory operations, managed care for up to 60 Native American students, and coordinated inter-school cultural events.
Later Years and Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Age | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 66 | Attended First Parker Family Reunion | Fort Parker, TX |
| 1960 | 73 | Celebrated 50th anniversary of Carlisle graduation | Carlisle, PA |
| 1967 | 80 | Honored at Comanche Council ceremony | Lawton, OK |
| 1970 | 83 | Passed away on October 26; buried in Highland Cemetery | Lawton, OK |
- 1953 Reunion: At age 66, Wanada joined over 300 descendants of Quanah Parker in Fort Parker, Texas, bridging Comanche and Texas Parker lineages.
- 1967 Honor: The Comanche Council formally recognized her 50 years of community service at a ceremony attended by 150 tribal elders.
- Death: Wanada died at age 83 on October 26, 1970, in Lawton, OK; interment took place at Highland Cemetery with an attendance of over 200 family members and tribal representatives.
Family Lineage and Heritage
Wanada Page Parker’s ancestry reflects a unique intersection of Comanche leadership and white American heritage.
| Ancestor | Birth–Death | Relationship | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peta Nocona | c. 1820–1864 | Grandfather | Comanche war leader |
| Cynthia Ann Parker | 1827–1871 | Grandmother | Captured by Comanche at age 9 |
| Quanah Parker | c. 1850–1911 | Father | Last chief of Comanche Nation |
| Alice Tope-se-up | 1865–1938 | Mother | Daughter of Kiowa chief |
- Quanah Parker (c. 1850–1911): As the final Comanche chief, he negotiated land rights for the Comanche and became a rancher; fathered at least 10 children, with Wanada being the fourth daughter.
- Cynthia Ann Parker: Captured in 1836, she lived 35 years among the Comanche before forced return; her legacy influenced Wanada’s commitment to cultural preservation.
FAQ
What was Wanada Page Parker’s birth year?
Wanada Page Parker was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1887.
Where did she receive her education?
She attended Fort Sill Indian School (circa 1903), Chilocco Indian School (1904–1907), and Carlisle Indian School (1908–1910).
Who were her spouses and when did she marry them?
Her first husband was Walter Komah in May 1908, her second Benjamin H. Page on December 18, 1916.
What roles did she serve in her community?
She was a charter member of the Comanche Reformed Church (1917–1970) and assistant matron at Fort Sill Indian School (1920–1945).
She attended the Parker Family Reunion when?
Wanada attended the first Parker Family Reunion in June 1953 at Fort Parker, Texas.
What was her Comanche name and its meaning?
Her Comanche name was Woon-ar-dy, meaning “stand up and be strong.”
When did she pass away and where is she buried?
She died on October 26, 1970, in Lawton, Oklahoma, and is interred at Highland Cemetery.
How is she related to Quanah Parker?
She was the daughter of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanche Nation.
