His Catholic missionary work earned him the honorary names "Wambli Wakita" or Watching Eagle in Sioux and "Apostle of the Indians."

[2] Within a year he had established missions at Albion, Cameron, Fanshawe, Howe, Poteau, Talihina, Tuskahoma and Wister.

In reality, Indian families often lacked funds to pay tuition fees and had to enroll their children into government schools.

[7] Through membership feed and donations, Father Ketcham was able to prevent the closure of 42 Catholic Indian schools.

Under his administration, the Bureau's treasury had collected $1,600,000 by 1917 and disbursed it to the Indian missions, despite facing political and anti-Catholic opposition.

The denial of rations forced Indian parents facing economic hardships or failed crops to enroll their children in government schools.

After three weeks of work, Ketcham sent a letter to Washington D.C. relaying the message his return would be delayed because of an illness.