Echoes of the Comanche: Lance Tahmahkera, Great-Great-Grandson of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker - Stories from my Comanche Family

Join us for a powerful and personal journey through Comanche history with Lance Tahmahkera, great-great-grandson of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker. As part of Native American Week during Smithsonian in the Gap, Lance will share family stories passed down through generations—stories you won’t find in books.

Through an engaging multimedia presentation, Lance will take us from the origins of the Comanche people to present-day traditions, exploring Comanche culture, history, and the legacy of Quanah and Cynthia Ann Parker. He will also share traditional children’s stories, just as they were told to him as a child.

Adding to the experience, Lance will bring a collection of authentic Comanche artifacts, including a buckskin dress, regalia, beadwork, bow and arrows, and more, offering a hands-on look at the craftsmanship and traditions of his ancestors.

This is a rare opportunity to hear the firsthand stories of a direct descendant of Quanah Parker—a history not just told, but truly lived. Don’t miss it!

About Lance Tahmahkera:

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Lance Tahmahkera dedicated 45 years to Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth before recently retiring from the Imaging Department at Texas Health Harris Methodist Neighborhood Care and Wellness in Burleson. He is a great-great grandson of the Comanche Chief, Quanah Parker, and grew up immersed in his family’s rich heritage. His parents remained deeply connected to Comanche traditions, and much of his youth was spent attending pow-wows, where he listened to the stories of his ancestors and learned the ways of his people.

Drawing from this rich oral history, Lance has been invited to share his family’s stories with schools, universities, historical groups, and organizations. His storytelling brings to life the origins of the Comanche people, the hardships and triumphs of life on the plains and reservations, and the legacy of his ancestors—including Cynthia Ann Parker, who was adopted into the Comanche Nation as a child and later became the mother of Quanah Parker. He also passes down cherished children’s stories and tales that have been kept alive through generations.