The Wichita Indians formed a loose confederation on the Southern Plains, including such tribes as Panis Piques, Taovayas, Guichitas, Tawakonis, Kichais, and Wacos, and they lived in fixed villages notable for domed-shaped and grass-covered dwellings. The Wichitas were successful hunters and farmers, skillful traders and negotiators. They ranged as far south as San Antonio, Texas to as far north as Great Bend, Kansas. Their population at the time of first contact with the Europeans is estimated at 200,000. They were discovered by the Spanish conquistador Coronado in 1541 in South Central Kansas but by 1719 had migrated southward to Oklahoma. During the Civil War they moved back to Kansas and established a village at the site of present-day Wichita, Kansas.

Their numbers dwindled rapidly upon contact with people of European descent. In 1780, it was estimated that there were about 3,200 total Wichita. By 1868, the population is recorded as being 572 total Wichita. By the time of the census of 1937, there were only 385 Wichita officially left.