Tichkematse, 1857-1932

Tichkematse, also called Squint Eyes, John Squint Eye, or Quchkeimus (born 1857–died 1932), was Cheyenne. He was an artist and collector who worked for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., between 1879 and 1881. Tichkematse is known for his ledger art, begun in the period from 1875 to 1878 while he was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Marion in Florida. He continued to make ledger art after his release. His work is part of the Smithsonian Institution collection and it published a book of his drawings. He also was known for his expertise as a collector of bird and mammal specimens, and Cheyenne crafts. During this period, he also worked with anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing in documenting Plains Indian Sign Language.