The Karankawa Tribe of Texas and members of the Five Rivers Council gathered on July 25, 2026 at Suter Park in Corpus Christi, Texas to celebrate a historical moment for their people.
An outdated, offensive, and incorrect historical marker was replaced by an updated one that better reflects the truth about The Karankawa People.
Starting in Feb 2022, women of the Hawk Clan approached the Corpus Christi Historical Commission with a proposal to correct the marker on these following points:
– We were NOT nomadic, we were semi-nomadic.
– We were NOT primitive, we had advanced finishing equipment, pottery, and fire-starting tools.
– We subsisted on more than just roots and fruit, we live in an abundant land with large game as well.
– There is no physical evidence that Karankawa women were shorter and stouter than the men.
– We were NOT savages, we were peoples who defended our homelands.
– We did NOT disapppear, we are still here.
This year’s long process could not have been completed without the successful collaboration of our allied historians, Dr. Peter Moore and Dr. Tim Seiter as well as the Historical Commission.
We also acknowledge all the work from our neighboring and allied tribes that was done before us, that paved a path for the success we have today.
Thank you.
Karankawas 