Kiowa Tribe to Release Plans for Indian City Environmental Cleanup

The $500,000 EPA grant will fund the tribe's efforts to remediate contaminated properties at the historic site.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The Kiowa Tribe in Anadarko, Oklahoma will soon release its plan for the environmental cleanup of the historic Indian City site, using a $500,000 grant from the EPA's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. The project, which has been in the planning stages for about a year, will focus on removing asbestos hazards from vacant buildings, creating job opportunities for tribal members, and paving the way for future community-driven redevelopment of the land.

Why it matters

The cleanup of Indian City, a site with significant cultural and historical importance to the Kiowa people, will improve health and safety, provide economic opportunities, and allow for the responsible management and future use of the tribal land. This project aligns with the Kiowa Tribe's goals of environmental stewardship and self-governance.

The details

The Kiowa Tribe's Natural Resources Department submitted a Statement of Work for the remediation and cleanup of the Indian City properties, which have been assessed and found to contain asbestos hazards. The cleanup will be carried out in compliance with EPA and tribal regulations, utilizing Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) hiring preferences and Davis-Bacon prevailing wages to benefit Native households. The project is expected to reduce long-term liability and clear the way for future community-driven redevelopment of the site for cultural, educational, or revenue-generating uses.

  • The project required about one year of planning and six months of implementation to reach the current stage.
  • The first public forum is set to take place in early 2026, with a tentative date to be released soon.
  • The project is set for completion in 2026.

The players

Kiowa Tribe

A Native American tribe based in Anadarko, Oklahoma, which was awarded a $500,000 grant from the EPA to fund the environmental cleanup of the historic Indian City site.

EPA

The United States Environmental Protection Agency, which provided the $500,000 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund grant to the Kiowa Tribe for the Indian City cleanup project.

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

The state agency that signed an agreement with the Kiowa Tribe to administer the $500,000 subgrant from the EPA's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund.

Amanda Hill

The Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Kiowa Tribe, who stated that Indian City is a significant cultural site for the tribe.

Ephraim Kelly

The Natural Resources Director for the Kiowa Tribe, who said that cleaning up Indian City protects the tribe's people and prepares opportunities for the future.

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What they’re saying

“Indian City is a significant cultural site for the Kiowa Tribe beginning with the historic Tonkawa Massacre of 1862. Several tribal members were later employed at Indian City USA from the 1950's to the early 2000's, providing crafts, guided tours, and dance exhibitions. Also, the Indian City Dance Ground has hosted Kiowa ceremonies such as Tonekonegah and the Ohomah Lodge for many years.”

— Amanda Hill, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Kiowa Tribe (Lawton Constitution)

“Cleaning up Indian City protects our people today and prepares opportunities for tomorrow. By addressing asbestos safely and cleanup through strong planning, compliance, and TERO hiring, we reduce risk, create good-paying jobs for our citizens, meet federal standards, and open the door to a community-led reuse of this land on our terms.”

— Ephraim Kelly, Natural Resources Director (Lawton Constitution)

What’s next

The first public forum on the Indian City cleanup project is set to take place in early 2026, with a tentative date to be released soon.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates the Kiowa Tribe's commitment to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and economic opportunity for its members. By responsibly managing and remediating the historic Indian City site, the tribe is paving the way for future community-driven redevelopment that aligns with its values and priorities.