Warren Queton

My Kiowa name is "Phaw Ah," which means "The coming of the moon." I am a Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma citizen and descendant of the Cherokee and Seminole Nations. I am married to my wife, Welana Fields Queton, Osage, Creek, and Cherokee nations. We both enjoy attending ceremonies and celebrations in our tribal communities across the nation. I am also an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman.

I serve the Department of Native American Studies as an Adjunct Instructor, teaching tribal service-learning and tribal governance. I recently was elected as the District 7 Legislator for the Kiowa Tribe and represent all Kiowa tribal citizens living outside the former reservation area. In my past employment with OU, I served as the Tribal Liaison Officer from August 2016 to November 2020.

Since 2006, I am a military veteran and an active member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and currently hold the rank of Major (O-4). I have completed three tours overseas, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Operation Spartan Shield (Kuwait). I also worked full-time for the Oklahoma Army National Guard as the State Food Program Manager from 2015 to 2016.

From 2009 to 2015, I served as the Academic Coordinator for the OU Upward Bound program, preparing first-generation, low-income students from Oklahoma City Public Schools for college careers. My educational work consisted primarily of outreach, career advising, and college readiness.

I also worked as a Kiowa Language Instructor in the Department of Anthropology from 2007-to 2009. My master's research investigated the use of Kiowa children's songs to create their worldview and tribal enculturation. I continue to use musical pedagogy as an integral part of my language teaching.

The University of Oklahoma has been my home since I started my undergraduate degree in the fall of 1999. I enjoy working with our American Indian community to make our campus climate more inclusive and respectful toward our tribal communities. I worked in the Office of Student Life as a Student Service Coordinator for the American Indian Scholars program in my student career. I also served as the President of the American Indian Student Association from 2002-to 2004 and am a founding member of the Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma Fraternity in 2004. 

M.A.    Applied Linguistic Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, 2014

B.A.     Native American Studies, University of Oklahoma, 2006

NAS 1013: Intro to Native American Studies
NAS 3323: Tribal Service Learning

Kerswill, S. and Queton W. “Native Cultural Impact in Veterans Mental Treatment.” Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Summit. Norman, OK. July 26, 2019.

Queton, W. “National American Indian Heritage Observance; Sovereignty and Trust.” Udairi, Kuwait, November 2018.

Queton, W. “Cáuigú Pòláyì Songs: Congressional Auditorium Showcase, National Endowment of the Humanities.”  U.S. Capitol Historical Society. Washington D.C. September 2017.

Queton, W.  “American Indians in the Military; Contributions made by Native Peoples.” Fort Sill, OK November 2017.

Queton, W. “Cáuigú Pòláyì Songs: A Possible Pedagogy for Language Learning.” Oklahoma Workshop for Native American Languages. Tahlequah, OK April 2011.

Queton, W. and George, H. “Setting the Standard for American Indians.” Absentee Shawnee Youth Leadership Camp, Shawnee, OK June 2007.

Queton, W. “Speak your language and be heard!” Osage Nation Youth Language Fair, Pawhuska, OK, May 2007.

Queton, W. “American Indian Men in Spirituality” Comanche Nation Youth Camp, Career Day, Lawton, OK, March 2007.

Bread, Dr. Jerry C. “Contemporary Native American Indian Dances” OU Indigenous Conference, Reception, Norman, OK May 2007.

Queton, W. “Listening to your elders!” University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair, Norman, OK April 2003.

Bread, Dr. Jerry C. and Queton, W. “Comanche Nation Career Day” Comanche Nation, Lawton, OK April 2002.