David Pendleton Oakerhater, born in 1847 in Indian territory (Oklahoma), was the first Native American (Cheyenne) to be designated as a saint by the Episcopal Church. He participated in the Native Americans fighting against the European invaders. He was taken prisoner after the Red River War in 1874-1875.
He was sent to Fort Marion, near St. Augustine, Florida. While there he began creating art, along with other Native American prisoners, becoming a prolific artist. He was given the name "Making Medicine" when he was arrested.
In 1877, Mary Douglass Burnham, an Episcopal deaconess, arranged for their release, and Oakerhater was sent to St. Paul's Church in New York. Reverend J. B. Wicks provided Oakerhater's religious teachings, where he took the Christian name David and he was baptized in 1878. He became a deacon in 1881.
He went to Indian Territory and Dakota Territory. He encouraged the Cheyenne population near El Reno, Oklahoma to attend Episcopal services. He traveled to Anadarko, visiting and caring for ailing people of different tribes.
In 1887, he built the Whirlwind Mission in Fay, near Watonga, Oklahoma. He remained there until he retired in 1918. He moved to Clinton, Oklahoma and then back to Watonga, where he passed away in 1931.
In 1985, the Episocpal Church designated Oakerhater as a saint, based on his work as a missionary and his ministries.
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