# aatotankiki myaamiaki (2023) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Amiami_oklahoma%3Acab1424d3508936f ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text M I A M I N A T I N N E W S aatotankiki myaamiaki Myaamia Publications – Vol. 16, No. 4, Fall-Winter 2022-2023 – Section A – News – Noošonke Siipionki Myaamionki 2023 Miami Tribe of Oklahoma General Council Meeting · June 24th 2A Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 aatotankiki myaamiaki MIAMI NATION NEWS is published by the Sovereign Miami Tribe of Okla- homa for our enrolled citizens. Aatotankiki Myaamiaki is distributed by mail and made available for download from the Miami Nation’s website. A single copy is mailed free of charge to each tribal household. College students living away from home may request a copy be mailed to their campus, or off-campus, address. This publication is printed in Stigler, Oklahoma by Stigler Printing. Publication design and layout is done in-house by the Miami Nation Cultural Resources Office staff. Requests for special articles or publication of community information, including births, deaths, marriages, family news, anniversaries, etc., are welcomed and encouraged. Section A: News Chief’s Report 3A 4A General Council Meeting 2022 6A Edge of Appalachia 6A New THPO Deputy Officer 6A MYAAMIA PUBLICATIONS Ohio Supreme Court Ruling 7A Miami Nation Cultural Resources Office P.O. Box 1326 Miami, OK 74355 918-541-1300 Myaamia National Archives 7A Email: mtocro@gmail.com Editorial Staff: Julie Olds, Diane Hunter, Joshua Sutterfield, Doug Peconge, Meghan Dorey, Bobbe Burke, Madalyn Richardson. Submission Requirements: Photos: Photos submitted electronically should be saved at a resolution of 300 dpi, sized at standard 4x6 or larger, and saved in jpg, tif, or pdf formats. Eugene Brown Memorial Art ...8A Learning from our Relatives... 8A Historic Ribbonwork Items 8A NPS Fee Exemption 8A WEWIN Announcement 9A ARPA Project 9A New Website Design 10A Myaamia Center receives... 10A Obituaries, Birth Announcements and other time sensitive submissions will be amended to show past tense text unless the family submitting the information expressly requests the text remain unaltered. Section B: History & Culture Advertisements: Enrolled citizens of the Miami Nation who are business owners, artists or crafts persons, etc. are eligible to receive free ad space once per year. Allotted ad size is 5” x 5” and should be sized at 300 dpi and saved as a jpg, tif or pdf file. Ad layouts, or links to download such from your Dropbox or other cloud storage site, should be emailed to mtocro@gmail.com. Exhibit at Elkhart Museum 2B Blue Jacket and Little Turtle 2B Artist Spotlight: Jared Nally 3B MIAMI NATION ELECTED OFFICIALS MYAAMIA CITIZENS STAY CONNECTED VIA INTERNET Chief: Douglas Lankford Second Chief: Dustin Olds Secretary Treasurer: Donya Williams 1st Councilperson: Tera Hatley 2nd Councilperson: Scott Willard Miami Nation Website, www.miamination.com MIAMI NATION HEADQUARTERS Physical/Shipping Address: 3410 P Street NW Miami, OK 74354 918-541-1300 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1326 Miami, OK 74355 Myaamia Sovereignty in the... 1B Interactive Exhibit at MHMA 5B Painted Hide Workshop Recap 6B Hide Art Exhibit 6B Facebook: “MYAAMIAKI Miami Tribe of Oklahoma” Section C: Community How The Heron Feels 1C “Aatotankiki Myaamiaki” Myaamia Makerspace 1C Public Page, listed as “Miami Nation Events” Toopeeliciki: Highlighting... 2C MHMA Page, Listed as “Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive” REQUEST NEW CITIZEN ENROLLMENT CARDS The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has issued a new format for its Tribal Citizen/Member Identification and Enrollment Card. The new plastic card allows for the inclusion of a photograph of the Enrolled Citizen/Member and also allows the inclusion of a Myaamia name. Tribal citizens who wish to obtain the new card should contact Tera Hatley, Member Services Manager, at thatley@miamination.com or by phone at 918-541-1324. TRIBAL MEMBER ADDRESS UPDATES: Contact Tera Hatley at thatley@miamination.com or by phone 918-541-1300. Graduates 2C Gardening at Drake House 3A aacimwita akima: The Chief Report In this edition... Winter Gathering Recap Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 3C Lying Quietly 4C One who is Born 7C Honoring the memory of... 7C Myaamia Resources 9C Back to School Funds &... 10C Section D: Myaamia Center Mahkihkiwa: the Myaam... 1D Introducing Šaapohkaayoni 2D Wrapping up the 50th Ann... 2D weeyakiteeheeyankwi neep... 4D Section E: Eemamwaciki 2022 Eemamwiciki Summer... 1E 2022 SummerFest Recap 2E Myaamia Experience Event 2E Cultural Corner 3E Eemamwiciki Event Calendar 6E Aya, Aya ceeki eeweemakiki. I write to you from Noošonke Siipionki Myaamionki – our Oklahoma homeland. Before I begin this report, I must inform you of my greatest loss. My beautiful wife, best friend, and sweetheart, Gena, passed away from this life on Christmas morning. Her departure has brought the season of change to our lives that we had hoped was much further away. I am doing ok, taking one day at a time, and thankful for the beautiful memories of our time together. Everyone has been so kind with calls, cards, and letters. Mihši neewe to those of you who were able to come to the funeral. It meant so much to see so many of you there, too and to hear how much you loved her. God bless you all. Our Tribal family now numbers 6,997 enrolled citizens. We are scattered, with citizens living coast to coast and in distant countries. Now more than ever, it is essential for us all to know our history as the Miami Nation, to understand what sovereignty means, and why these things are so important to us as a federally recognized Tribe. In this news-edition and our community blog aacimotaatiiyankwi.org, we have shared articles that help us all, especially our young people, understand these things better. Our identity as the Myaamia Nation, and individually as Myaamia citizens, is everything to us, and it is vital to our future. We have worked hard over the past 25 years to create cultural education events and resources to support families seeking to learn Myaamia culture and language. I encourage you to visit our many online resources, listed in this publication and make plans whenever possible to travel to community events here in Miami or on our property outside Fort Wayne, IN. In recent tribal events, we enjoyed a tremendous turnout for our annual Winter Gathering on January 27 & 28, 2023. Tribal members and guests enjoyed the games, presentations, food, and dancing. Over 150 guests traveled down from Miami University, including University President Greg Crawford and his wife, Dr. Renata Crawford, Provost Elizabeth Mullenix, and several special guests from administration, staff, and students. A panel discussion on Friday, January 27, titled “Celebrating Neepwaantiinki: The Path to Partnership,” focused on the beginning and growth through five decades of our relationship with the University. We enjoyed winter stories that evening and gourd dancing, socials, and stomp dances on Saturday night. Weehki-kihkatwe, the new Myaamia lunar year, began on February 22. Already the frogs have called to ciinkwia, and his arrival on February 26 tells us it is time to lay down our winter stories here in Noošonke Siipiionki Myaamionki. To celebrate the Myaamia new year, the Cultural Resources Office hosted a gathering at the Council House in Miami, OK, with food, games, music, and fireworks. The Cultural Resources Extension Office in Fort Wayne hosted a similar celebration. In past articles, we have shared information about the federal funding received through the CARES and ARPA acts. The use of these funds is directed by the strict federal guidelines our accounting and legal departments adhere to for all expenditures for approved projects. Since the new fiscal year began in October, projects in cultural education, community wellness and economic development are underway with several new employees. We welcomed two new employees to handle our growing media needs. The new miamination.com website and the new format of this newspaper publication are among their fine products. New employees are contributing to our in-person and virtual cultural education initiatives which will soon introduce a long-awaited online education portal. We have also welcomed new employees to the all-new meat packaging and pecan processing plants here in Miami. CARES funding provided for much needed improvements at the Ethel Miller Moore Cultural Education Center (old longhouse building), to better serve onsite cultural arts education programs. Each area of ARPA project growth has been well planned and targets the community’s needs as allowed for within the funding guidelines. Growth requires expansion, and we in Tribal leadership work hard to address those concerns. We are excited to announce the construction of the new Myaamia National Archives will soon be complete. This new facility, located next door to Tribal Headquarters, will quickly be the archival, storm-safe home to our governmental and cultural archived collections. Completed with funding through an Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG), the facility is the much-needed upgrade to the Tribe’s previous archive space inside the old Tribal headquarters at 202 S. Eight Tribes Trail in Miami, OK. During the 2023 National Gathering Week, beginning June 19, we will host a ribbon-cutting event for the new archives building. Other expansion work includes a new maintenance garage and storage area at the Tribal Headquarters. In addition, next door to headquarters, improvements are underway to the old Mistletoe Express Depot building. This building will soon become the new home of the Miami Tribe Environmental Quality Department. On the legal front, the Miami Tribe remains actively enhancing its tribal District Court to assume jurisdiction of criminal cases that the state lost jurisdiction over following the McGirt ruling. As you will recall, the 2020 Supreme Court McGirt decision upheld the reservation of the Creek Nation as intact because there was insufficient evidence Congress disestablished it. In addition, the McGirt case applies to all Oklahoma Tribes, which results in the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma now having jurisdiction to patrol and make arrests in applicable situations on its 50-square mile shared reservation with the Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma. New Ottawa County District Attorney Doug Pewitt has been actively dismissing and transferring to appropriate Tribes applicable criminal cases. The Miami Tribe has had its own tribal District Court in place since 2006 and has prosecuted misdemeanor cases that occurred in its casinos or on other trust land locations. PostMcGirt, the state will be sending to the Miami Tribe 80 or more cases for our tribal prosecutor to review and decide whether charges are appropriate. In addition, the Miami Tribe has initiated enhanced sentencing, which now allows the Tribe to impose sentences not to exceed three years imprisonment, fines of up to $15,000, or both, for qualifying crimes, so long as the Tribe has met specific requirements which include providing a public defender if indigent criteria are met. Previously, the Miami Tribe only had the authority to impose a jail sentence of up to 1 year and a $5,000 fine. Because maintaining a safe community is of utmost importance to the Miami Tribe and its neighboring Tribes, the Miami joined a Northeast Oklahoma Consortium of Tribes along with the Ottawa Tribe, Eastern Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee Tribe, Wyandotte Nation, and SenecaCayuga Nation. The Consortium is working with City and County partners to address postMcGirt issues. In addition, the Consortium applied for and received federal funding for a Special United States Assistant Attorney (SAUSA) to prosecute applicable major crimes occurring on Indian lands in the federal Northern District Court in Tulsa. The Consortium has selected an outstanding young attorney with previous experience prosecuting major crimes in Oklahoma to serve as its SAUSA. The Consortium Tribes and City and County Akima Eecipoonkwia Chief Douglas Lankford counterparts have worked together to address the serious issue of assuming jurisdiction over many cases that sat unprosecuted under the past Ottawa County District Attorney. Judge Jennifer McCaffery, a proponent for the success of the Consortium Tribes, has agreed to allow tribal criminal dockets to take place in her Ottawa County courtroom on specified days each month. The Miami prosecutor and court staff are working hard to prepare for the Miami Tribe’s first criminal docket in the Ottawa County Courthouse set for March 30, 2023. The Consortium Tribes plan to send major crime cases to the United States Attorney’s Office in Tulsa until the new SAUSA is trained, in place, and ready to accept tribal cases. Some Tribes in the Consortium still use the Bureau of Indian Affairs Court of Federal Regulation (“CFR”) Court and are considering taking steps to assume jurisdiction over criminal matters and join the Miami holding its criminal docket and sending qualifying cases to the Consortium SAUSA. Miami, Oklahoma, is in dire need of a new detention facility and, of equal importance, a treatment facility for those with mental health or chemical dependency issues which is currently unavailable. The Consortium Tribes have worked closely with the City and County to address this need and plan to continue with outreach to resolve this issue. The Miami Tribe received federal funds through a CTAS Grant to renovate space in the Miami Tribe Headquarters building for a new, large courtroom for civil and family law cases. The Tribe is working with federal counterparts to plan for this much-needed expanded court space to benefit its Miami citizens. Early planning is underway for our Eemamwiciki summer cultural education programs in mid-June. Check out the Eemamwiciki Facebook page and the miamination.com website for registration announcements. Our National Gathering Week events will soon be upon us. Be sure to mark your calendars for the week of June 19 for the many events leading up to our General Council meeting Saturday, June 24, 2023. An event guide will be posted to the community’s Facebook group page at MYAAMIAKI Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and online at miamination.com. Until then, enjoy brushing up on your lacrosse skills and practicing your Myaamiaataweeknki to be ready for the summer events. Until we see you again, nipwaahkaako – be well, Chief Eecipoonkwia – Douglas Lankford The 2023 annual meeting of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma General Council is set for Saturday, June 24th, in Miami, OK. Please watch the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Facebook page and website for updates on the meeting. On Facebook at MYAAMIAKI Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and via website at miamination.com. 4A 2 6 t h Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 a n n u a l Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 5A m y a a m i a WINTER GATHERING r e c a p Madalyn Richardson Cultural & Arts Education Content Specialist The 26th Annual Myaamia Winter Gathering was a great success. It doubled as a final celebration of the 50th Anniversary of neepwaantiinki ‘learning from each other.’ This is a phrase used to symbolize the relationship between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University. The Miami Tribe has kindled relationships with many over the years as well. A majority of this year’s guests were visitors from Miami University. Miami University President Greg Crawford, University Ambassador Dr. Renate Crawford, and over 100 others, including deans, administrative staff, academic faculty, and students, were in attendance. Myaamia students and Myaamia Center faculty from Miami University helped facilitate and engage with other guests throughout the weekend. We were also pleased to host guests from other universities, museums, and institutions with whom important relationships have been developed over the years. Other members of the Myaamia community also enjoyed coming together again after 3 years of limited contact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Friday morning, the weekend began with a warm welcome to all guests from Akima ‘Chief’ Douglas Lankford; members of the Business Committee, Dustin Olds, Scott Willard, and Donya Williams; Kara Strass from the Myaamia Center; and Julie Olds of the Cultural Resources Office of the MiamiTribe of Oklahoma. Following this, guests enjoyed playing Myaamia games, seenseewinki ‘bowl game’ and mahkisina meehkintiinki ‘moccasin game.’ Many Myaamia students enthusiastically helped guests learn and play the games and use Myaamiaataweenki, ‘the Miami language.’ The Myaamia Makerspace also hosted some hands-on, creative activities. One was a ribbonwork-inspired bookmark activity using cut paper. The other was a beaded bracelet activity using colorful beads and letters to spell words and phrases in Myaamiaataweenki. Both the games and makerspace activities were very popular, with around 130 guests learning and playing games, making and taking home one of their creations from the makerspace activities, helping others, or observing. In the afternoon, The Path to Partnership: Celebrating Neepwaantiinki presentation and panel provided an insightful look at those who have invested in the relationship between Miami University and the Miami Tribe over the years. The panel was emceed by Dr. Cam Shriver. Panelists with Miami University who shared their personal and professional experiences included Daryl Baldwin, Bobbe Burke, Reed Anderson, Cory Foster, and Dolph Greenberg. Tribal members Kathy Carter Young, Nate Poyfair, Joshua Sutterfield, Kara Strass, and Haley Shea shared their personal experiences with the Heritage Program at Miami University. It revealed how the program has shaped their lives and influenced their families. Perspectives from both partners revealed how the path to their partnership was forged, nurtured, and sustained by both the University and the Tribe. Their stories provided insight into what a 50-year relationship in the making has required and Continued on page 5A >> Left: Miami tribal member Haley Shea tells a myaamia winter story. Right: Miami tribal member Jarrid Baldwin telling the story of Wiihsakacaakwa going visiting. Photos by Jonathan M. Fox. “ This annual event allows Myaamia people to come together and connect with significant aspects of their culture through continual revitalization efforts.” << Continued from page 4A provided. George Ironstrack, who serves as both the assistant director at the Myaamia Center and program director of the Myaamia Center education office, briefly introduced stomp dance and storytelling. This helped guests understand how to participate respectfully and enjoy the dances and stories later that evening and the next day. The meal Friday evening was kindly catered by Mariah Tyner, a local member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe, and her team. Tyner is well known for her Indian fry-bread, corn soup, beef and hominy, and grape dumplings. Those in attendance enjoyed beef and hominy, wild rice with pecans, roasted chicken and gravy, fried sunchokes, and venison meatballs with the venison provided by Kyle Lankford, Miami tribal citizen, tribal police officer, and son of Akima Lankford. Storytelling is a portion of Winter Gathering that allows guests to hear Myaamiaataweenki being spoken in the telling of various stories from myaamia ancestors that have been written down and preserved. Last year, due to the smaller gathering of community members, a question and answer session about the stories provided an excellent opportunity for Myaamia people to learn more. That model was adopted again this year to allow community members to ask questions and gain insight in a small group setting, apart from non-myaamia guests. Saturday morning, tours rotated between the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archives (MHMA) and Tribal Headquarters. The MHMA currently hosts three exhibits; kiikinaana: Our Homes, Minohsaya: Myaamia & Peewaalia Hide Art, and Keelonteehameekwi —Tending the Fire: Celebrating 50 Years of Neepwaantiinki. Visitors engaged with the various exhibits and asked questions to gain a deeper understanding of the displays. They commented on how seeing Myaamiaataweenki in the traditional wiikiaami and modern living room settings was interesting. For example, waapantenaakani is used for ‘candle’ and ‘lamp.’ Visitors also connected the characters in the minohsaya ‘painted hide’ exhibit to the winter stories from storytelling the night before. At Tribal Headquarters, 4 groups of roughly 25 people toured the facilities to learn more about the Miami Nation, its operations, and programs and see the newly built National Archives. One of the other key features of the annual Myaamia Winter Gathering is stomp and social dances. This year, the afternoon began with a gourd dance enjoyed by many guests, relatives, and friends. After dinner, stomp and social dances started and carried on in song and dance until midnight. This annual event allows Myaamia people to come together and connect with significant aspects of their culture through continual revitalization efforts. However, guests of all ages and experiences enjoy participating in the dances. Many individuals from other tribes and several Myaamia tribal members participated as leaders and shakers. The Annual Myaamia Winter Gathering has grown and flourished over the years. This year has once again provided shared memories and relationship-building. The Miami tribe looks forward to celebrating Myaamia culture again next year and for many generations to follow. Reprinted from the Aacimotaatiiyankwi Myaamia Community Blog - posted Feb. 2, 2023 Upper Left: From LtoR: Donya Williams, Secretary Treasurer; Jacey Holcomb, Miami Nation Pow Wow Princess; Sophie Olds, Miami Nation Jr. Princess; Shannera McCoy, Miami Nation Tribal Princess. Photo by Scott Kissell, MU. Upper Right: Myaamia students, university guests, and others playing mahkisina. Photo by Jonathan M. Fox. Above left: Miami University guests making ribbonwork inspired bookmarks. Above Right: Miami University guests making bead bracelets. Photos by Madalyn Richardson. Lower Left: LtoR: Panelists Daryl Baldwin, Reed Anderson, Dolph Greenburg, Bobbe Burke, Cory Foster. Lower Right: from LtoR: Panelists Kathy Young, Haley Shea, Nate Poyfair, Kara Strass, Joshua Sutterfield. Photos by Jonathan M. Fox. 6A Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 General Council Meeting 2022 Staff Article The 2022 Miami Nation General Council meeting was held on June 25th in the Nation’s Council House in Miami, OK. There were approximately 350 total in the audience, including underage citizens, spouses, and guests. Before the meeting, Miami Nation Princess Grace Lankford presented the Lord’s Prayer in sign language as Ivalah Allen sang the lyrics in Myaamiaataweenki. Next, Myaamia singers George Strack, Kara Strass, Haley Shea, George Ironstrack, and Jarrid Baldwin sang the community song, followed by Haley Shea’s solo performance of an original song, both in the Myaamia language. Elder George Strack spoke the invocaton in Myaamiaataweenki and translated his words for the audience. Elders reaching 75 years of age were gifted Pendleton blankets, and veterans were recognized and gifted for their service. Chief Douglas Lankford formally called the meeting to order and established a quorum for business with 177 voting-age Myaamia citizens in attendance. The Chief recognized Tribal youth in attendance, aged 10 – 17, who were given a folder of information regarding the meeting and thanked them for their interest and attendance to the affairs of their Nation. Following the agenda of the meeting, Chief Lankford called for the motion to approve the minutes of the 2021 General Council Meeting, followed by his annual State of the Nation address. Donya Williams read the Secretary-Treasurer’s report. New business was presented, including a presentation by Peter Murphy, CEO of Miami Nation Enterprises. The Business Committee honored Tribal Elder James Battese for his work designing and overseeing the completion of the new Four Wings Park located next to the Nation’s dance arena in Miami, OK. In addition, cultural Resources Officer Julie Olds was honored with a medal for supporting Myaamia Cultural revitalization. Elections for Business Committee positions were conducted according to the constitution, with nominations from the floor and in-person voting. For the Tribal Business Committee, Chief Douglas Lankford was re-elected by acclamation to a 3-year term as Chief, and Second Councilman Scott Willard was re-elected to a 3-year term. Nominations and voting for the Grievance Committee. followed Elected to 3-year terms were Michael Watson and Shelva Sooter. Following elections for committee seats came the custom of electing community ambassadors to serve as Miami Nation Princess and Miami Nation Junior Princess. Miss Shannera McCoy was elected to the 2-year term of Princess, and Sophie Olds to the 1-year term of Junior Princess. Second Chief Dustin Olds made the elections official by administering the Oath of Office to those elected. Old Business and Open Forum discussion followed. Chief Lankford offered Closing Remarks and a prayer. The meeting was adjourned and was followed by a community lunch. The day’s activities ended with the Miami Nation Pow Wow at the Tribe’s dance arena next to the Council House. 7A Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 Edge of Appalachia Diane Hunter Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Akima Eecipoonkwia, Chief Douglas Lankford adressing those gathered for the Miami Nation General Coun cil Meeting, 2022. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. Miami Nation Princess, Grace Lankford presents the Lord’s Prayer in sign language. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. Last fall, at the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference, representatives from 14 tribal nations were invited to the Edge of Appalachia preserve a homecoming for the Nations. The property was stunning, with rolling hills and lush forests in full fall colors. The Nature Conservancy director for the North American branch and personnel were gracious hosts that proposed a partnership between the Nature Conservancy of Ohio and the assembled tribes, and the tribes were invited to tour the property. A world-spanning nature conservancy that owns over 2 million acres to protect them from human encroachment. However, Native and Western people’s conservation ideas are different, as TNC has found out in various locations around the world. To us, we are a part of nature, not apart from it, so entirely excluding humans deprives nature of a fundamental pillar of the ecosystem. This topic is only one of a few a potential partnership will have to discuss. New Deputy Officer in the THPO Staff Article Photo by Scott Kissell, MU. Miami Nation Elected officials. From LtoR: Second-Chief Dustin Olds, Secretary Treasurer Donya Williams, Chief Douglas Lankford, 1st Council Person Tera Hatley, and Second Council Person Scott Willard. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. Miami tribal member James Battese is honored by the Business Committee. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. Elders being recognized with blankets at the 2022 Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s General Council meeting. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. The Cultural Resources Office (CRO) welcomed Logan York to the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) as the new Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer in April 2022. Logan is familiar to many myaamiaki as he grew up participating in Tribal events. He attended eewansaapita beginning at nine years old and was later a counselor at the camp. As a myaamiaki student at Miami University, he continued his education about Miami people, language, culture, and history while obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology, with minors in archaeology and history. After graduation, he gained experience in archaeological excavation, working with Algonquian Consultants. This archaeology firm advises the Miami Tribe CRO. In his free time, he uses reenacting events to educate the public on the true history of myaamionki, our traditional homelands. Logan’s education and experience perfectly suit the work he is now doing with THPO Diane Hunter to preserve and protect places of historic and cultural importance to myaamiaki and give talks on the history of the Miami people and the Tribe today. Logan grew up in Kansas and Missouri but currently lives within the myaamia ancestral homelands in Cincinnati, Ohio. This aerial view shows the entirety of the Octagon Earthworks and Moundbuilders Country Club golf course in Newark. Photo by Ohio History Connection. Ohio Supreme Court Ruling Preserves Octagon Earthworks in Newark, OH Diane Hunter Tribal Historic Preservation Officer A few days ago in Fort Wayne, Indiana, waiting for take-out, a woman told me about her amazing visit to the Great Wall of China. I replied that we have amazing earthworks in neighboring Ohio. She had never heard of the monumental earthworks that are so close to home. I have never been to the Great Wall of China, but recently I visited the Newark Earthworks twice. In September, an evaluator for the World Heritage nomination process toured the Newark Earthworks. As Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, I was fortunate to be invited to join his group to represent my nation. I visited again in early November as part of the Ohio Tribal Nations Conference, hosted by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio History Connection. The Newark Earthworks, built more than 1500 years ago, are amazing examples of the creative genius of our Native ancestors. The earthworks are especially impressive when I think about how they were made. Our ancestors located their creation in a prairie, wisely avoiding the removal of forest trees. Carrying basketfuls of soil, sometimes long distances, took unbelievable labor and required incredible dedication to their goal. Even more impressive than the labor was the intelligence and understanding of geometry, astronomy, and other sciences necessary for creating perfect circles and squares and octagons with repeated sizes and areas, all aligned to each other and to the phases of the moon. This was, of course, all done without the help of computers to do the calculations. Given no evidence of a writing system, we must assume that their observations and calculations were all done in their heads and passed down orally. It makes me think that we today are quite primitive in comparison. During my first visit, after seeing the Great Circle, I was not sure what to expect at the Octagon Earthworks. I anticipated that this site would be no less a work of genius than the Great Circle, but I have heard for many years about the desecration of this site by a golf course placed over it. My job as THPO is to preserve and protect places of historic and cultural significance to my people. It was through these eyes that I viewed the golf hole in the center of an earthwork circle that happened to be the exact size of the putting green inside it. Golfing is for pleasure. It does not belong on a sacred site. Imagine a golf course in the Grand Canyon. Just so, a golf course is not appropriate at this monumental site. During my second visit to the Octagon Earthworks, our hosts were not able to obtain permission for us to enter the golf course, and we were only able to see the earthworks from the observation platform. I felt angry that we were not able to enter the sacred site that our ancestors left for us. I have said little that those who follow this column have not already heard. My friends who have written for this space have expressed much the same sentiments. Yet, I believe these expressions of amazement and concern deserve and require repeating. I hope the Newark Earthworks will soon be inscribed as a World Heritage site. Then the whole world will know how sacred and monumental these places are. This column was originally written for publication in The (Newark) Advocate in Ohio, found at www.newarkadvocate.com - Published, Dec. 13, 2022 Exterior, east-facing wall of the archive viewed from parking lot. Staff Photo Myaamia National Archives Nears Completion Staff Article In 2018, the Miami Nation was awarded an Indian Community Development Block Grant by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to build a place for the safe keeping of governmental and cultural archives. After a short delay due to the COVID pandemic, the building broke ground in January 2022, and steady progress has been made over the year. It is now very near completion. Located on the east side of Tribal Headquarters, the building features a secure archive space of 930 square feet and a 470 square foot “Newark Earthworks, built more than 1500 years ago...” The Octagon Earthworks is at 125 N. 33rd St. in Newark, Ohio. Photos by Ohio History Connection. Interior of the archive en progress. Staff Photo. room for processing or viewing collections. This building will replace the original Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive collections storage and office in the former headquarters building. Under the oversight of the Secretary/Treasurer, the governmental archives will also be consolidated at this location. Unfortunately, a manufacturing backlog is causing a delay in installing a backup generator. Without this equipment, the building will not be fully functioning until the Summer of 2023. Tribal leadership hopes to host tours of the new space during National Gathering events Photo by Jonathan M. Fox. next June. 8A MHMA to Host Eugene Brown Memorial Art Show Meghan Dorey Manager, Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive The Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive announces the Eugene Brown Memorial Art Show, scheduled for June 12-23, 2023. This will be the third Art Show held since 2019. The art show is open for any tribal citizen or their immediate family members to enter. We encourage the creation and submission of art in almost any format or medium, but artwork submitted should reflect the artist’s interpretation of their own myaamia experience or identity, incorporating any aspect of myaamia language, culture, history, or heritage. This year’s Art Show theme parallels the Eemamwiciki Cultural Education theme of the coming year: Niikinaana: Our Homes. Though adherence to the theme is not required, we are challenging our community artists to think about the concept of our homes and create artwork that reflects your interpretation. Our homes are more than houses. What do you think of when you think of “home?” How does that thought make you feel, and what does that feeling look like? What role do our homes have in our community? Artists are strongly encouraged to write a short statement about how their artwork fits the theme. Representatives from the Cultural Resources Office will choose one winner for the Cultural Theme Award. The winner will receive a unique ribbon and $100 prize money. Submissions will be accepted in eight categories based on format and medium. Artists can enter up to 4 artworks, with a maximum of two entries in any category. The categories are: 1. Drawing, Painting, & Printmaking 2. Photography & Digital Graphics 3. Mixed Media & Diversified Arts 4. Textiles & Clothing 5. Jewelry & Accessories 6. Customary Cultural Items 7. Sculpture 8. Performance & Creative Writing First, Second, and Third place awards will be given in each category in both Adult and Youth Divisions. Best in Show will also be awarded in both divisions. Find more details in the artist application, available on the MHMA Facebook page, the tribal website, or on request by emailing mdorey@miamination.com. Applications are due May 1, 2023. Not only is the Eugene Brown Memorial Art Show an opportunity to keep the memory of our late elder and cherished artist Eugene close and an opportunity to encourage creative expression for our artists, but it is also a great chance to buy community-made art directly from the artist! Several pieces will be available for purchase, in-person and virtually, during the show. We encourage all community members to participate in both creating art and supporting our artists! Wišihtootaawi! Let’s Create! Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 Learning From Our Relatives: Tree Tapping WEWIN Announces the Selection of Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Secretary-Treasurer Donya Williams to the Board Staff Article Tree tapping is a practice that allows sap to be collected, boiled, and converted into syrup or sugar. Often maple trees are tapped to make maple syrup. However, due to so few ahsenaamiša ‘Sugar Maple Trees’ local to the Miami, Okla. area, the Wandat ‘Wyandotte Nation’ have been tapping aayoonseekaahkwa ‘Black Walnut Trees’ for their sap. Earlier this year, part of the Cultural Resources Office (CRO) team had the opportunity to tap trees with Myaamia relatives, the Wandat. The sap these trees produce has a much smaller yield than maples at a 60:1 ratio of sap to syrup produced. The syrup is still very sweet though, and due to the boiling over an open flame, the syrup also has a smoke-infused flavor. This year, the Wandat set up 21 taps on 12 different trees. Last year, nine taps produced roughly 2.5 quarts of syrup from 38 gallons of sap! The CRO office intends to share this knowledge with other tribal departments and the myaamia community. They plan to begin tapping trees on Myaamia tribal properties so the Miami community can share in knowledge, learning, and product — it is delicious! Mihši neewe to the Wandat Cultural Resources Office for allowing part of the CRO team to learn their practices in tapping Black Walnut Trees! ARPA Noošonke team. Staff photos. Miami Nation Acquires Historic Ribbonwork Items Klamath, California – May 08, 2022 The Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations (WEWIN) announced the appointment of Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Secretary/Treasurer Donya Williams to serve on the WEWIN Board. Susan Masten, Co-President of WEWIN, said, “We are thrilled to bring Donya onto our board. She has continued to be a powerful voice for Indian country and a great supporter of WEWIN. Her contagious passion to be part of empowering Native women is a genuine asset to our board.” Williams joins the WEWIN board with an extensive passion for leadership and service. She follows in the footsteps of her late grandfather, Edward Cy Leonard, who served as Chief of the Miami Tribe. Donya has proudly served as an elected Tribal leader for 16 years, initially serving as an elected official, First Councilperson (2006 - 2017), and Secretary/Treasurer (2017 to present). As Secretary/Treasurer, Donya serves ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act Teams in Noošonke and Kiihkayonki Staff Article Meghan Dorey Manager, Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive In October 2022, the Miami Nation took advantage of an opportunity to reacquire several items sold to collectors and removed from the Miami community approximately 100 years ago. These items include silverwork and textiles, several of which are adorned with dis- tinctive Miami ribbonwork patterns. The items have been placed into the Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive collection. Museum staff will be working with professional conservators to ensure proper handling, storage, and display procedures are followed so that the entire Myaamia community can learn about and enjoy these pieces for generations to come. Look for more details and photos in the next edition of Atotankiki Myaamiaki! National Parks Fee Exemptions Staff Article The Miami Tribal Historic Preservation Office received a notice that may interest many Myaamiaki. The National Park Service reminded us that “in certain circumstances, members of American Indian Tribes...are exempt from paying entrance fees at National Parks. The fee exemptions may apply to several non-recreational activities, including: - First Amendment activities. - Special park uses. - NPS-authorized research activities. - Federal, State, tribal, and local government business. - “Traditional” activities by members of American Indian Tribes and other traditionally associated groups. - Leaseholder and property owners accessing their property; - Outings conducted for non-commercial educational purposes by schools and other bona fide academic institutions.” The memo notes, “As a matter of policy, the NPS takes an expansive interpretation of the phrase ‘traditional activities’ in deciding what does and does not constitute a recreational activity. The NPS acknowledges that the phrase ‘traditional activities’ is neither a static concept, nor is it a set of neatly listed activities that can be defined by the NPS, but should be defined by the members of the respective communities themselves. Traditional activities by their very nature are broad and cover everything from plant gathering to passing on tribal expertise and indigenous knowledge, which may occur while engaged in other activities that appear to be recreational in nature, such as hiking or fishing.” Each National Park may have local policies and procedures about this exemption. Contact the park staff for details before arriving at a National Park and expecting a fee exemption. as the Chairperson for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Enrollment Committee and serves on the Miami Business Regulatory Commission. In addition to many tribal leader duties and responsibilities, since 2007, Donya has worked full-time first as the Tribe’s Myaamia Student Services Coordinator and currently as the Director administering the Tribe’s scholarship program, back to school funds program. Donya serves as Vice-Chairperson for the Claremore Indian Hospital Advisory Board of Directors, a 17 Tribe consortium. She is the elected Chairperson and past Secretary for the Northeast Tribal Health Service Clinic Governing Board of Directors for the eight Northeast Tribes the facility serves. She served on the Miami Nation Enterprises Board of Directors (2016), the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative Board of Directors (2007- 2010), and served a three-year term on the Oklahoma Civil Rights Commission. Donya serves as a tribal leader representative for the United Indian Nations 9A of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas and Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations. She was an honoree receiving the WEWIN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. As an advocate for Indian Gaming Donya, Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. served as an honored guest speaker at the grand opening of the National Indian Gaming Association headquarters in Washington, D.C., and has presented at other Native conferences across Indian Country. Donya is an active participant in Myaamia culture and language and has made a difference in the lives of so many people through her spirit of love and compassion for humanity, which is underscored by a deep and selfless love for her people. A much-loved tribal matriarch gave Donya the Myaamia name peekokihkwa. The translation of her name means Peace Woman. Donya lives in Bluejacket, Oklahoma, with her husband Jamie and has three children and five grandchildren. Reprinted with permission. ARPA Noošonke team left to right: Nate Poy- ARPA Kiihkayonki team left to right: Dani fair, Jordan Janeway , Madalyn Richardson, and Tippmann, Claudia Hedeen, Kirk Strass, and CRO team member Morgan Lippert. Staff photo. Doug Peconge. Staff photo. The American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funding has provided great opportunities to expand the reach of cultural education for the Cultural Resources Office (CRO) of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the Cultural Resources Extension Office (CREO) of Fort Wayne, Indiana. ARPA funding for the noošonke team in Miami, Oklahoma, dedicates its work to aiding and increasing distance learning opportunities for tribal members, providing access to cultural education materials and content that was hindered due to the COVID-19 virus. The ARPA kiihkayonki team in Indiana is structured to support furthering cultural education through property and resource development for the community’s health and wellbeing. Both projects promote cultural education and communication within the tribal community. Enrolled tribal citizen Nate Poyfair leads the ARPA noošonke team, as the noošonke project manager, with Jordan Janeway as the communications and media specialist and Madalyn Richardson as the cultural and arts education content specialist, moving from her former position as the makerspace coordinator. Together they work to create content that community members can access through distance learning settings. Distance learning can be achieved through the internet using video recordings, email, social media, print publications, distanced face-to-face learning, and outdoor activities that protect and connect tribal members nationwide. Nate’s responsibilities require him to oversee and lead the ARPA projects in Miami, Oklahoma, to share with the greater tribal community. He has previously worked in multiple management positions that required the development of leadership, planning, and other skills that assist him in his current role. “Although I have not worked in an educational role specifically, I have experience in working within the tribes’ educational spheres, and I have found that to be paramount in adapting to the position of ARPA Project Manager,” Nate says. His experience has made interacting with the educational teams and other departments within the Tribe easier, allowing him to adjust to the new role comfortably. After studying at Miami University, Jordan joins the Cultural Resources team as the ARPA Communications and Media Specialist. While studying design, Jordan found a new passion in coding. She combined the two into a love of web design and development. She worked doing freelance design, which helped her develop time-management skills that helped her excel in her new position with the Tribe. Her ARPA goals are to provide a new and streamlined website that is easy to use for all tribal members, increase the presence and availability of social media, and finally, learn more about the Tribe and increase her cultural knowledge. She appreciates how welcoming everyone in the community has been and says she can’t wait for what’s to come. Madalyn’s work focuses on designing and developing educational content to be accessible across various platforms and publications. She is a Graphic Design graduate passionate about child literacy and learning. These are both valuable in supporting her work with the Tribe and allow her to develop educational content that is effective and relevant. The guidance she receives from other members of the MTO education teams is invaluable, and she’s grateful to be involved in the efforts of CRO and eemamwiciki. In the past few months, she has focused on designing a book with information on the myaamia lunar calendar. As she continues to promote distance learning, there will be a growing library of publications and videos for at-home learning or use at educational events. To achieve the ARPA goals in kiihkayonki, the Cultural Resources Extension Office (CREO) brought on additional staff. Doug Peconge moved from his position as a community programmer to the kiihkayonki ARPA project manager, Dani Tippmann is the kiihkayonki ARPA community foods program director, Claudia Hedeen is our kiihkayonki ARPA education and wellness coordinator, and Kirk Strass is our ARPA maintenance specialist. All four staff members are enrolled tribal citizens. In the fall of 2021, the Tribe also took possession of a 45-acre property northwest of Fort Wayne, Ind. The purchase of that property was made possible through ARPA funds. Over the next four years, the CREO in Fort Wayne, will focus on the ARPA guidelines for cultural education, food support, community health, and well-being. Doug’s responsibilities are overseeing the ARPA project in Fort Wayne and managing the 45-acre Fritz Road property. His previous experience as the Community Programmer has allowed him to become a well-known community member and easily transition into his new position. He is grateful to have a growing team as they work to increase community-available resources and experiences through ARPA projects. Dani served as the director of the Whitley County Museum, in Columbia City, Indiana, for 12 years and has years of experience in public presentations. She also has tremendous plant and gardening knowledge that will be instrumental in developing our garden. She hopes to apply what she learned to our garden space and create an educational space that provides fresh vegetables for our community. The CREO held a seed swap following the Fall gathering. Dani and Rebecca Hartleroad, whose sons are enrolled tribal citizens, share native garden seeds with community members to plant in their gardens. Claudia has been a yoga instructor for 12 years and loves spending time outdoors. Her teaching experiences serve her well as she develops cultural education programming for the kiihkayonki and greater myaamia community. Claudia began working for the Tribe in September and learning about community programming. Her first week in her new position consisted of preparing for the CREO for the Fall Gathering. Tribal leadership held its first community informational gathering since the pandemic. She did a tremendous job ensuring everything was ready for the business committee’s event and dinner. She is currently working on developing new cultural programs for community members. Kirk worked for over 30 years for the City of Huntington, Indiana, in waste management. He then worked for the Huntington County library doing maintenance. Kirk started working for the Tribe over the summer, where his primary focus was maintaining the grounds. He spent 10-plus hours a week mowing the property, keeping the trails open and the place looking beautiful. The removal of invasive plants created large debris piles on the property. Rather than burn them, the CREO staff converted the debris into wood chips. The wood chips and cardboard left behind by the previous owner will help reduce weeds in the garden, allowing it to be pesticide-free. The noošonke and kiihkayonki ARPA teams look forward to 2023 and the opportunities it will provide to the myaamia community. 10A Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - News, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Has Launched New Website Design N N E W S Myaamia Publications – Vol. 16, No. 4, Fall-Winter 2022-2023 – Section B – History & Culture – Noošonke Siipionki Myaamionki Myaamia Sovereignty in The 21st Century powers and to the degree that a nation loses its sense of cultural identity, Assistant Director, Myaamia Center Director, Education Office to that degree it suffers a loss of sovereignty.” A sovereignty that springs from culture is a sovereignty that can As a part of the Myaamia Heritage Program at Miami University, our be innately Myaamia at its core. Our sovereignty has always had its roots students take part in a series of courses that help them to better understand in Myaamia culture. In the distant past we would have referred to the who our people are today and who we were in the past. One of these cours- health and strength of our communities using our language to express es focuses on key issues that our community faces today and the important concepts inherent in our culture. Colonization certainly changed some of role that sovereignty plays in helping us respond to those issues. this for our people. Aspects of our political sovereignty were shaped by At a basic level in the global political community, sovereignty is treaties, legislation, and supreme Court rulings, but at its core our soverusually understood to reflect political power. A nation is understood to be eignty is still defined by our people. sovereign if it governs itself. In this course we work together to complicate Deloria gets at this deeply empowering notion when he describes this basic definition of sovereignty and develop our understanding of what sovereignty as revolving “about the manner in which traditions are deit means to be sovereign from a Myaamia point of view. veloped, sustained, and transformed to confront new conditions. It inIn this quest, we are volves most of all a strong aided by the deep thinking sense of community discipline and wise words of the Dakota and a degree of self-containscholar Vine Deloria Jr. (1933ment and pride that transcends 2005). Deloria was a citizen all objective codes, rules, and of the Standing Rock Sioux regulations. Unless individuTribe and over the course of als have a commitment to a his adult life was widely reclarger whole they cannot funcognized as a foremost thinker tion efficiently and unless a on a wide array of topics that nation is composed of comcontinue to impact tribal namitted individuals it cannot tions whose homelands fall, at function with the efficiency least in part, within the boundthat sovereignty is meant to aries of the United States. describe.” (27) Our class relies heavily on Near the very end of the a short but complex 1979 esessay, Deloria emphasizes say by Deloria entitled “Selfthat sovereignty is not a fixed determination and the Constate that a nation achieves but cept of Sovereignty.” In this Newly elected officials are sworn in at the 2022 Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s Gen- rather a never-ending process brilliant bit of writing Deloria eral Council meeting. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. of development. If sovereignlays out multiple overlapping ty has a use to us today as an ways in which tribal nations could think about sovereignty. He begins English word and an inter-cultural concept, it is because it allows us to with what he considers to be the common definition of the word as used “describe the process of growth and awareness that characterizes a group by nations around the world: “Sovereignty was the absolute power of a of people working toward and achieving maturity.” (28) nation to determine its own course of action with respect to other naIn class, we use these varying definitions to get our group thinking tions.” When we discuss this definition in class we emphasize how this about the importance of cultural sovereignty. We are a nation that is endefinition centers notions of independence and separateness between na- gaged in an inter-generational effort of communal revitalization of our tions. Control of territory through the use of military force is usually es- language and culture. Instead of a sovereignty hyper focused on indepensential to the operation of this type of sovereignty. dence, our beliefs and practices force us to remember that we are at our This common understanding of sovereignty can be contrasted with strongest when we recognize the interdependencies that connect us to a type of sovereignty that Deloria felt had its foundation in each nation’s other human beings as with the non-human world around us. unique culture. Legal manifestations of sovereignty exist to protect and Vine Deloria Jr.’s essay continues to give us much to think about in care for the people of the nation. In class, we usually ask some version terms of the foundation role of our culture in our sovereignty as a people. of the following question: if the people cease to exist as a distinct and I’m certain that the next time we read his essay we will draw new indifferent nation, then what is the purpose of governmental sovereignty? sights from this brilliantly complex work. Near the end of the essay, Deloria makes the strong argument that sov- Reprinted from the Aacimotaatiiyankwi Myaamia Community Blog ereignty consists “more of continued cultural integrity than of political posted Oct. 25, 2022 George Ironstrack The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s progress on new website. Staff photo. calendar that allows our members to view all upcoming events, no matter where they are to take place and save them to their personal calendars. The development of this project has been and will continue to be an ongoing process, so we ask for your patience and understanding while we are still under construction and early stages of such considerable changes. We understand that many people may be used to the previous site and how to navigate its menu, and it may take time to readjust to the update. Please call our number (918) 541-1300 if you have any questions or would like assistance navigating the new website and menu options. A screenshot of the new site is above. Please note some things may change on the site after this newspaper publication. Myaamia Center receives $472,397 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant Stella Beerman Communications Specialist, Myaamia Center The Myaamia Center has been awarded a $472,397 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to fund the development of assessment and evaluation protocol regarding current and past ideas of health and wellness within the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. The Myaamia Center — a research-focused collaboration between Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma — focuses on Myaamia language and cultural revitalization. A project titled “Myaamia nipwaayoni: Tribal knowledge as a source of well-being” will be funded by the three-year grant from RWJF, a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving health and well-being in the United States. Haley Shea, Myaamia research associate and co-principal investigator of the project, said the goal is to develop and measure interventions. The team wants to better understand what health and wellness mean to the Myaamia community to create better wellness programming based on this knowledge. Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Chief Douglas Lankford wrote in the grant application, “We have long been interested in a more formal and robust understanding of the links between language and culture and our community’s well-being.” The Miami Tribe community has seen plenty of anecdotal and observational evidence of how the community has benefitted from the language and cultural revitalization. However, tribal leadership and Myaamia Center researchers wanted to measure these benefits and continue using those metrics to make improvements within the community. In 2012, they created the Nipwaayoni Acquisition and Assessment Team (NAATeam) to begin “observing, interpreting, and documenting” the impacts of cultural and language education within the community. Using these assessments, historical data, and new research taking place during the project, Myaamia Center researchers hope to work with the NAATeam to create a culturally based Myaamia Wellness Model. The Myaamia Wellness Model will lead to a N A T I iiši-mihtohseeniwiyankwi aatotamankwi Staff Article The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is proud to announce a new and updated look and design of the tribal website! The new Noošonke Media and Communications Specialist, Jordan Janeway, has been working on updating the website to give it a fresh face, improve functionality, and make it a more accessible tool for all tribal members. After much time, effort, and invaluable insight and guidance from the entire Cultural Resources Office team and others, the new website is up and running. Still located at www. miamination.com, keep an eye out for our website’s latest changes and layout. Due to circumstances beyond our control, some information is changing and, therefore, not on the new site. We appreciate your patience while we are still under construction. When the tribe decided to update the site, we looked at our community to see what was needed or had not been provided in the past. We began by asking questions and developing goals for what we wanted to accomplish with the new site. The new site will provide a new and reorganized streamlined menu system and our new M I A M I Myaamia community members of all ages kick off a lacrosse game in Miami, Oklahoma in 2019. Community peekitahaminki, ‘lacrosse,’ games are commonly played at community gatherings. Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. measurement tool that community researchers can use to measure wellness within the Miami Tribe community and will ultimately assist the Myaamia Center in incorporating health and wellness topics into Myaamia programming and educational materials. “So many health-related interventions are not as effective as they could be because they are not culturally specific,” Shea said. The Myaamia Center takes a strength-based approach, where the researchers evaluate what makes the community strong, rather than focusing on weaknesses, and invests in those activities to nurture community well-being. Eventually, the team will create a manual, detailing the research process and outcomes in hopes of helping other tribal communities create their own, culturally specific understandings and measures of health and wellness. The research team hopes this manual will empower communities to determine interventions and health-promoting practices to support health in their own unique communities. As always, the forefront of the research is to serve the Miami Tribe community, Shea explained. To ensure this research is best serving the community, members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s Cultural Resource Office will be involved in the project. Miami Nation News is on Facebook & Twitter @MyaamiaNews AATOTANKIKI MYAAMIAKI Daryl Baldwin, executive director of the Myaamia Center, and Shea are working together as co-principal investigators. While members of the Myaamia Center’s NAATeam and Office of Assessment and Evaluation will conduct and analyze research, a technology team will be working to update the current database and visualization applications to house the new data. Members of the center’s education office and a community health team will also be involved in the project. Consulting on the project will be Joseph Gone, faculty director of Harvard University’s Native American Program; Roy Oman, professor of Public Health at the University of Nevada-Reno; and Ryan Rhodes, director of the Behavioral Medicine Laboratory at the University of Victoria, Canada. The project team expects the initial research and documentation to take place in multiple phases over the next three years. However, as Shea explained, work like this is never truly done. “This is an ongoing project and we will forever be engaged in this work,” Shea said. “The benefits of this project within the Miami Tribal community will extend far beyond these first three years.” Reprinted from the Miami University News, miamioh.edu/news - posted Aug. 9, 2022 Myaamia Maple Sugaring Exhibit Opens at the Elkhart County Historical Museum Staff Article The Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive (MHMA) staff traveled to Bristol, Indiana in August to install an exhibit on maple sugaring at the Elkhart County Historical Museum. The exhibit had been previously installed at MHMA in 2018, and it will remain on display at the Elkhart County Historical Museum through March 2023. For the exhibit, MHMA staff Meghan Dorey and Morgan Lippert presented an interpretation of a Myaamia siihsipaahkwikaani ‘maple sugar camp.’ The camp explains the sugaring process and showcases a variety of sugaring tools, some of which date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The exhibit also discusses why the practice of maple sugaring fell away from the Myaamia community after removal to Kansas and Oklahoma, as well as how the tradition has since been revitalized. MHMA staff collaborated with Julie Parke, Museum Administrator. Ms. Parke says visitors to the museum have enjoyed the exhibit, particularly the way in which the exhibit incorporates multi-senory expe- riences including smells, sounds, and even tastes. She explains, “Siihsipaahkwikaani has been very popular with our visitors. When we share that the exhibit was created by and borrowed from the Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive in Oklahoma, it gives us an opening to explain the Miami origins along the St. Jospeh River and in northern Indiana and why the Miami are headquartered now in Miami, Oklahoma.” This isn’t the first time the Elkhart County Historical Museum has worked with the Miami Nation. Tribal Historical Preservation Officer Diane Hunter previously helped the museum’s staff update their main exhibit, Crossroads of Elkhart County, to include a more in-depth and accurate representation of Myaamia people’s historical and present connections to the area. The MHMA invites those who can visit to experience these collaborative efforts. The Elkhart County Historical Museum has free admission and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. It is located at 304 West Vistula Street in Bristol, Indiana. If you are travelling a distance, you may wish to call ahead; the museum can be reached at (574) 848-4322. Recreation of a Myaamia siihsipaahkwikaani ‘maple sugar camp.’ Photo by Morgan Lippert. MHMA Curator of Exhibitions Morgan Lippert (left) and Manager, Meghan Dorey (right) during installation. Photo courtesy of Elkhart County Historical Museum. 2B Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - History & Culture, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 Introducing the Foundations of Myaamiaataweenki Course Available now through Šaapohkaayoni: A Myaamia Portal This online, self-directed course teaches the foundations of the miami language in a video format with worksheet exercises to help you review the topics. mc.miamioh.edu/eduportal The 2023 annual meeting of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma General Council is set for Saturday, June 24th, in Miami, OK. kiiloona myaamiaki ‘we are Miami’ A series of community gatherings discussing Miami History will begin later this summer. Keep an eye out for more information online and on the Myaamiaki Facebook page. Blue Jacket and Little Turtle Diane Hunter 3B Artist Spotlight: Jared Nally ing spoken again and how we were in a time of re-awakening. People were getting called back to the community. So I consider textiles and Meet Jared Nally, a Myaamia student who weaving to be a gift that allowed me to come is currently seeking a Master’s degree in Envi- back to the community. ronmental Science at Miami University. He is a Joshua: Do you remember the first piece recipient of the Aanchtaakia Graduate Fellow- you ever made? The first weaving piece. ship. Aanchtaakia is the Myaamia word meanJared: Myaamia weaving? ing ‘change maker.’ This fellowship is specifiJoshua: How about both? Do you rememcally designed for tribal scholars motivated to ber the first piece you ever weaved? make positive change in tribal communities and Jared: Yes. And it’s a two-part answer. In to share their research or interests on Miami grade school, we made little paper plate weavUniversity’s campus. Jared is a talented weaver ings where you put notches on the side and and sees his craft as a connection to his com- wove in a circle. So that’s my first very basic munity. I was fortunate to be able to spend some idea of what weaving was. But coming to weavtime with Jared and conduct an extensive inter- ing as a practice, I kind of dove headfirst into view. As you will see below he sees his craft the deep end, and I did a pretty wide twill piece as a doorway to giving back to the community on a four-shaft loom that I made into a pillow and adding to the ongoing revitalization of our for my sister. That’s, I guess, my first conneccultural ways. tion to my identity as a Joshua: Tell us weaver. who you are. Joshua: So, what Jared: aya ceeki about your first Myahsapa neehi Jared aamia piece? weenswiaani. I grew Jared: During my up in Kansas, and first semester at Haskell I’m a descendant of [Indian Nations Unithe DeRome family. I versity], I was really grew up outside of the interested in doing traOklahoma and Indiana ditional textile work. Jared with several pieces of his work. Photo by Myaamia communiAnd so, I founded the Karen L. Baldwin. ties, but was called Haskell Hand Weavers, back to the Myaamia a student club for all of pursuing my Master’s in Environmental Scicommunity in my 20s. us to come, participate, ence degree with a concentration in applied I am a weaver. and share our different ecology and conservation. That concentration Joshua: How tribal textile traditions. area is really looking at destructive relationwould you describe We started out doing ships that have taken place in myaamionki (the yourself as an artcoil basketry, but from lands of the Myaamiaki) through colonization ist? What is your aesthere, we got to partici- and forced removal. We haven’t been in some thetic and what’s your pate in a fingerweav- of these places to maintain our ecological refavorite medium to Jared demonstrating his work on a woven bag. ing workshop by Cindy lationships, and so now we have environments Photo by Karen L. Baldwin. work with? Warrington, who’s Ho- with invasive species, and some of the plants Jared: I don’t reChunk. Several of our and animals we have relationships with are no ally call myself an artist, although I do get club members attended her workshop, and that longer present. My work is hopefully to restore called that by others. I guess the easy part of is how I learned how to fingerweave garters and some of these relationships. One relationship that question is “what medium I like to work it was my introduction to Myaamia textiles. that I am currently focused on is looking at bulwith” — I like textiles. It’s part of why I don’t Joshua: How has your view of yourself as rush, making sure that if we want to do cultural consider myself an artist. The utility and aes- a weaver changed during your time interacting work with bullrush, if we want to start doing thetic of textiles goes hand in hand, and I view with your community? bulrush mats workshops, that we have bulrush that differently from art. I like that about a lot Jared: I think being a weaver has informed present in Myaamia spaces. That might take of our cultural objects. Somebody took the time how I interact with the community and pro- some ecology and conservation work to make to make things that were useful and they also vided a way for me to sure some of our tribal spent the time to incorporate a Myaamia aes- give back. I think the land acquisitions have thetic into them. That’s what I think I do when biggest thing weavbulrush reestablished I create my pieces. They’re always an item that ing has allowed me and that we’ve done the has purpose or use, and inherently, by craft, to practice, is what work to know that those they turn into something beautiful. So, I don’t I call “indigeneity” populations can support necessarily think of what I make as art. Not to and in a sense, what cultural use. corner Myaamia people into having to always being a Myaamia Joshua: Can you tell make something useful to use Myaamia aesthet- person means to me. us a little bit about your ics, because we don’t always do that. But, I like To give an example, experience and your the ability to do that in my work. when you start a textime at Haskell, how Joshua: When did you first start weaving? tile project and learn did that sort of change Jared: I think the story that you’ll want to how to process mayour art and your view start with is the background of how I grew up. terials to turn into or your craft and your I didn’t grow up in a Myaamia space. After I thread that you turn view as a weaver, of graduated high school and became an adult, I into the final product, yourself even? started to figure out my hobbies and interests. you start looking at Jared: Haskell gave Knitting was one of the first, and knitting led to the places you live as me an intertribal idenweaving and then to spinning. I accrued skills being able to provide tity. It also forced me to that were deeply embedded in culture. There’s these materials which come back to our coma lot of cultural traditions just within knitting. I gives you a sense of Jared demonstrating his weaving technique munity and ask quesknew about my Myaamia heritage, but I hadn’t how places take care on his current sash project. Photo by Karen L. tions about Myaamia connected with it, and I saw textiles as a way of people. So, I think Baldwin. practices because I had to connect with my Myaamia community and being a Myaamia perfriends that were curious culture. It was that idea, in combination with son and being a weaver has allowed me to start about what we do. I think Haskell informed my reading our tribal newspaper, that made me connecting with our traditional ecology, and Myaamia identity just through comparison with feel comfortable reaching out and attending that informs how I fit in our community and my peers. It got me to be very in touch with how my first national gathering where I was able to how I practice Myaamia indigeneity. different communities see themselves, see their meet people in our community and start to learn Joshua: This kind of connects to what your ecological relationships, and how that’s been about some of our textile traditions. graduate work is going to be, correct? Tell us a reflected in some of the material culture they When I first started talking to people in our little bit about that. have — some of the textiles that they produce. community, they talked about our language beJared: So, I’m here at Miami University Continued on page 6B >> Joshua Sutterfield Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Myaamiaki who live in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area, and perhaps others as well, may have seen recent news reports about a company in Fort Wayne named Blue Jacket and a sculpture of Shawnee chief Blue Jacket that the company commissioned to be placed on their property on South Calhoun Street. The question for Myaamiaki may be who was Blue Jacket, and why was he important in Fort Wayne? Born in the 1740s, Weyapiersenwah (later known in English as Blue Jacket) was raised in southern Ohio, likely in present-day Ross County. By the 1770s, Blue Jacket had become the war leader for his village along the Scioto River. The earliest references to him document his participation in Lord Dunmore’s War in 1774, in which Shawnee and Iroquoian (primarily Seneca and Cayuga) forces fought against the British in present-day West Virginia and Kentucky, land that was hunting grounds for Shawnees, Myaamiaki, and many other tribal communities. Over the next several decades, conflicts like Lord Dunmore’s War became a regular occurrence in Ohio and Kentucky as Americans continued to pour across the Appalachian Mountains demanding Native lands. During the 1780s and 1790s, Blue Jacket continued to serve as a Shawnee war leader, fighting to protect Shawnee rights and lands during what Myaamiaki call the Mihši-maalhsa Wars or the American Wars and which the Americans often call the Northwest Indian Wars. As American violence escalated, Blue Jacket’s village and many other Shawnee villages in southern Ohio fled northward after Logan’s Raid in 1786. During the raid, American forces, led by General Benjamin Logan of the Kentucky militia, attacked several villages, including Blue Jacket’s, killing and capturing Shawnee women, children, and elders. Following the attack, Blue Jacket and his village relocated to Miamitown, a large Myaamia village led by Le Gris across the river from Kiihkayonki, in the present-day Lakeside area of Fort Wayne. As Myaamiaki, we always think of Mihšihkinaahkwa (Little Turtle) as the great war leader during the Mihši-maalhsa Wars, and he certainly led Myaamiaki forces during the wars. The wars included several battles in which forces from as many as nine tribes fought together against the American invaders. One of the most notable battles in 1791 is known as St. Clair’s Defeat, in which an alliance of tribes handed the American troops led by General Arthur St. Clair the greatest defeat of the U.S. Army in history. Although many tribes fought in this battle, three leaders are recognized as the great military strategists who planned and led their men to battle. Those three leaders were Mihšihkinaahkwa leading the Myaamiaki, Blue Jacket as leader of the Shawnee, and Buckongahelas leading the Delaware troops. The other significant military encounter of the Mihši-maalhsa Wars was in 1794 and is called the Battle of Fallen Timbers. In anticipation of battle, the war leaders of seven tribes met to strategize their next move. A story is told that at this gathering, Mihšihkinaahkwa expressed doubts about the wisdom of continuing to fight, and Blue Jacket challenged him, successfully arguing that battle was necessary. That story was only first recorded decades later, so the facts of the matter may be questionable. However, if true, Mihšihkinaahkwa was right. The Battle of Fallen Timbers ended with the Native forces retreating, and the Americans followed the battle by burning all the tribes’ villages and cornfields along the Taawaawa Siipiiwi (Maumee River). They ended at Kiihkayonki, a metropolitan area of Myaamia, Shawnee, and Delaware towns, and built a military fort, which they named Fort Wayne in honor of General Anthony Wayne, who led the Americans at Fallen Timbers. After the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the tribes agreed to seek peace with the Americans and Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - History & Culture, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 eemamwaciki, Cultural Education Director Charcoal portrait of the Miami War Chief Mihšihkinaahkwa (Little Turtle) by Julie Olds. signed the 1795 Treaty of Greenville. Blue Jacket represented the Shawnee at the treaty, and contrary to Myaamia tradition, in which war leaders become civil leaders only after a transition of many years, Mihšihkinaahkwa was chosen to lead the Myaamia delegation at Greenville. He was the only tribal leader to stand up to General Wayne, who was leading the American delegation, and we still have the text of his eloquent speech. According to reports from the time, after the Treaty of Greenville, Mihšihkinaahkwa and Blue Jacket were not friendly with each other. They each claimed to be the one who led the Native troops to victory at St. Clair’s Defeat. Their enmity was such that they refused to speak together when in each other’s presence. In the Fall of 1796, General Wayne, leading a delegation of Native leaders to Philadelphia, reported that included in their party was “the famous Shawanoe Chief Blue Jacket, who, it is said had the Chief Command of the Indian Army on the 4th of November 1791 against Genl St. Clair, The Little Turtle a Miamia Chief who also claims that honor, & who is his rival for fame & power…refuses or declines to proceed in Company with Blue Jacket.” The noticeable hostility by Mihšihkinaahkwa towards Blue Jacket (which was presumably reciprocated) likely factored into Blue Jacket’s decision to relocate his village to a mixed Shawnee-Wyandot village near Detroit. The animosity between the two former allies continued for the remainder of their lives as each sought different solutions in response to American expansion. Blue Jacket later supported his fellow Shawnee Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa (known as the Shawnee Prophet) in their efforts to continue military opposition to the United States. However, he died soon afterward in 1810. Mihšihkinaahkwa, who opposed the influence of the Shawnee brothers, died two years later in 1812 at the home of his sonin-law Eepiihkaanita (William Wells) in Fort Wayne. For additional information: John Sugden, Blue Jacket: Warrior of the Shawnees, (University of Nebraska Press, 2000) St. Clair’s Defeat, https://aacimotaatiiyankwi. org/2014/05/19/the-mihsi-maalhsa-wars-part-iii/ Battle of Fallen Timbers and events leading to it, https://aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/2016/01/01/mihsimaalhsa-wars-part-iv-the-battle-of-the-taawaawasiipiiwi/ Treaty of Greenville, https://aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/2016/10/03/the-treaty-of-greenville-1795-part-1/. https://aacimotaatiiyankwi. org/2021/03/01/the-treaty-of-greenville-1795-part-ii/ Mihšihkinaahkwa (Little Turtle) Speech at Greenville, aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/2021/04/13/four-versionsof-a-little-turtle-speech-at-greenville-1795/ A Brief Biography of Mihšihkinaahkwa (Little Turtle), https://aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/2020/01/20/biography-of-little-turtle/ Visit kaakisitoonkia.com is the online portal of the Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive, presenting archival and museum items related to Miami heritage. pisentawaataawi (let’s listen to him) - Myaamia historian George Ironstrack, Assistant Director of the Myaamia Center at Miami University, speaks well and discusses Myaamia language and culture in a podcast from the “Conversations at the Washington Library” se- ries on Anchor.FM. Listen at anchor.fm/mountvernon/episodes/179--Revitalizing-MyaamiaLanguage-and-Culture-with-George-Ironstrack 4B Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - History & Culture, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 << Continued from page 5B am on a journey to reconnect all of that, and I’m not quite there. I just Joshua: How do you incorporate Myaamia imagery into your work? harvested some milkweed that I hope begins that journey of fully taking Jared: It depends on what I’m working on. When I do fingerweaving, plant material to finished product. I think that is probably an important it’s not necessarily what I would consider iconographic. You’re not do- thing to talk about with revitalization, is deciding what place you’re going figure work. So, a lot of it is brought in through color combinations. ing to start at. And for me, it’s learning how to create the object and then If I want to be intentionally Myaamia, I might do a lot of red, black, and really figuring out what comes into play to make that piece. Sometimes white work because all that contrast contributes to “shimmer”. But if we it’s the other way around where you might learn how to process material think of the idea of shimmer beyond just those colors, we can bring in and then take material to a final product. I guess that’s a future goal. other colors, and we certainly see other colors used historically, and that Joshua: My next question is about the future. So, this is perfect. builds on the idea of shimmer. Jared: I think my identity as a weaver, and part of my journey as a When I make twined bags, there’s a lot more imagery directly con- weaver and what I’m working towards is the ability to, and what I guess nected with our Myaamia community. There is the intention of having is an extension of essentially body sovereignty, to clothe myself. The both sides of the bag represent ciinkwia and lenipinšia, even if they’re idea that currently within our nation, we’re outsourcing how we clothe just geometric representations. There’s this contrast between those two ourselves and that a lot of the other material parts of our community sides. Something I’m trying to do on the bag I’m currently working on is, come from external sources. A lot of times that has environmental conseI think, an important aspect of Myaamia aesthetics seen in the Peconge quences. So, re-learning how to do some of these things is with the idea bag (See Figure B). The edges of the geometric shapes aren’t clearly de- that in the future I will have the skills and materials to be able to clothe fined. It could be really sharp, but the Peconge bag, I don’t know what to myself. That’s something that I think is really important when evaluating call it, but it has “feaththe success of my life, what ered edges”. I think that I’m really working towards, is part of that shimmer not just as a weaver. I think aesthetic. There’s more part of that is re-learning visual tension between how to have that connectedthe items not being clearness to place. And until I’ve ly defined. I think that’s reconnected, until I’ve repart of its shimmer. The established how a place can more you try to see the take care of me, I don’t feel border between dark and like I quite belong to that the light, the more that it place. And so, I think part seems to be obstructed. I of that journey is with cloth think that’s part of it. and learning how to clothe Joshua: Can you myself. speak a little bit more Joshua: How do you see about shimmer itself and yourself or how do you see where this idea came working with the Myaamia from? Center and participating Jared: My idea of with the Heritage Class as “shimmer” comes from influencing your future extensive cultural work craft? that came before me. I’ll Jared: So, I kind of hintprobably not get everyed at this earlier that when body in there, but Karen, I attended Haskell, it was Scott, George, Kara and very inter-tribal and diseveryone who helped in covering what it meant for creating the ribbonwork me to be a Myaamia person book were thinking rein that inter-tribal context. ally intently about MyNow that I’m attending aamia aesthetics when Miami University, and I’m examining ribbonwork working with the Myaamia pieces and coming up Center, and I’m around a with how we think about Myaamia community ala Myaamia aesthetics most daily, I’m starting to historically and today, figure out what it means and how that informs ribto be a Myaamia person in bonwork practices. One a Myaamia context. That of those components was has really been amazing, shimmer, and I’ve kind because I’m not only seeof internalized it as an ing how I fit in the comaesthetic representation munity, but I’m seeing how of power. The idea that the work everyone at the power is kind of a glitCenter does contributes to tering light. When you community health and how bring that idea into garwe each play an important ments like ribbonwork, part in our community. So, shimmer, is…I want to I think it really makes me call it, like a visual disvalue people in our commusonance. It’s hard to look nity. I think it also strengthdirectly at shimmer beens the relationships I have cause it’s bright and has with those individuals. And movement. The harder it makes me really excited it is to look at, the more to do the work that I plan to power. And so that idea in do coming out of my Masdesign, the busier or more ter’s program. dissonance there is in its Above: (Figure A) Jared with several pieces of his work including a sash he’s currently Joshua: Tell me a little aesthetic, the more am- working on. Middle Left: (Figure B) Panel bag by Jared Nally on display for weeyaaki- bit about your thoughts plified, the more it em- teeheeyankwi neepwaantiiyankwi: Celebrating 50 Years of Learning from Each Other (Oc- about gifting and selling bodies that idea of shim- tober 10-November 5th, 2022) at the Oxford Community Art Museum (Ohio). Middle Right: items and such. mer. You have to look (Figure C) Jared demonstrating his weaving technique for his current bag project. Below: Jared: I don’t know if away because of it being (Figure D) Jared demonstrating his weaving technique. Photos by Karen L. Baldwin. it’s necessarily a Myaamia so powerful. And so, trypractice or something I deing to bring in that idea that your eye does not want to rest on a piece is veloped from relationships I made at Haskell, but I found it really imporsomething that I think is important. And so that’s where I think that idea tant that when I learned something new, the first thing I made with that applies to twined bags. Your eye does not want to rest on the edge of that knowledge was gifted. That’s something I do because I think it acknowlimage because it’s not clearly defined. When I do fingerweaving, I try to edges the fact that I’m learning something, and that knowledge was a incorporate that as well. gift shared with me. So, continuing that idea of receiving a gift, there is Joshua: Is there anything else about the current pieces you’d like reciprocity with gifting what you made from that exchange. So, most of to talk about? the things I’ve made, if I’ve done something for the first time, whether Jared: iihia, there’s been a top-down approach of how I’ve learned. it’s the first time I fingerwove or the first time I did a twine bag, those Specifically the twined bag work that I’m in the middle of almost goes all were gifted to show the significance of what it meant for me to learn. against how learning a bag traditionally would have been. I’ve started I don’t know if that’s something the whole community can develop or with commercial linen yarn, and that kind of embodies the idea of bast should, but it’s something I found pretty important in my self-practice. fiber bags. I’ve been learning or trying to replicate the techniques that I As I continue to learn new things, I intend to continue that practice. see first in order to start with making a bag. And then from that, working I think it also helps me develop relationships. A lot of the things I’ve back to sourcing materials, to learning how to process, let’s say, bass- made, I’ve gifted or traded as a way to recognize relationships that I have wood for the bag. And so those are the steps I’m working towards so that in my life. So, I have a little bit of work to do to wrap my head around I can fully reconnect that circle of reciprocity between me taking care of wanting to sell things I make, but one thing I think I will never sell are a place and a place producing raw materials for me to turn into a bag. I Continued on page 7B >> Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - History & Culture, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 5B << Continued from page 6B to be represented in a museum works where I processed the with our textiles. And I think a material myself and created the big thing we face in our comobject from that. I think that munity as Great Lakes people, the gift of being able to proand something I had to unlearn cess and turn something from myself, is the false idea that our environment, from one of our only clothing was furs and our relatives in myaamionki, we didn’t have textiles. We isn’t something to be profited had a lot of techniques in our off of. I think that’s something community and a lot of matefor us to continue that relationrials. Scott Shoemaker was reship building with, so I don’t ally helpful in sending me exthink I will ever take a piece amples of fingerwoven sashes like that and turn around and and the Peconge bag, because sell it. I think the pieces, if I do A close up of the materials being used in Jared’s current bag project. Photo by I didn’t know we made things that, will be commercial mate- Karen L. Baldwin. like that. When I first started rials. my journey into Myaamia texJoshua: iihia. So, you mentioned this piece over here, where is that tiles and he sent me things, my reaction was, “oh my gosh, we did that”. We going? made bulrush mats, and we have some awesome textile techniques. Jared: To the Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and AnJoshua: I only have one last question, and it’s the big open ended thropology, their new museum. I need to get to work. That’ll be Thanks- one. What else do you want people to know about you and your craft, giving break, I think I got like 40 hours left on it. I’m thinking it’s over your weaving? Really the question is about if there is something we 80 hours total of work. I don’t like thinking about how long something’s missed? It’s been a pretty wonderful interview. I appreciate you so going to take me, and thinking of how much I should sell my work. That much. feels problematic to value my work in our community that way when it Jared: Practicing weaving not only connects you to culture, but it goes beyond making tangible products. But I had to do that for this bag, connects you to ecology. I think it’s a new lens to see the world, kind of and I think it makes it less enjoyable to do when I’m counting down the like what I’ve mentioned, nature looks more like a shopping cart now. hours or having to keep track. The things I typically make, I don’t keep It’s also a lens to view a lot of historic events. So, the fact that most track of how long it takes me because it’s just going to take as long as it of history is tied in some way to textiles is, I think, a really interesting takes. And it’s pretty meditative to do the work. I think it got me through thing. Colonization was powered by woven sails and cotton played a big the pandemic. part in the displacement of tribes in the U.S. And it wasn’t just the US. I Something like this (points at a current piece, a sash). I don’t really mean, India had the whole cotton-calico thing with their occupation by know how long it’s taken me to do. I love doing this one more than I like Britain. A whole lot of the world conflicts kind of come back to textiles. doing that one. And it’s not that I like the technique more. It’s just be- Textiles are cool and definitely shaped the world. cause this will be one of the first items, I get to keep myself. From the Aacimotaatiiyankwi Myaamia Community Blog - posted Dec. 1, 2022 The thing that drives the museum project is knowing that we’re going Interactive Exhibit At MHMA Explores Relationship Between Myaamia Homes & Language Morgan Lippert Curator of Exhibitions, MHMA NAGPRA Historian, CRO Over time, homes have served as sites for teaching and learning for the Myaamia people. But as homes change over time, so has the way we talk about them. The Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive’s newest exhibit, kiikinaana— Our Homes, explores how myaamiaataweenki, ‘the Miami language,’ is an adaptive language that has evolved alongside Myaamia homes. We know that in myaamiaataweenki, many objects have literal translations in English that reflect the object’s defining characteristics. An example is minehkwaakani, the Myaamia word for cup, which translates to “the thing to drink liquid.” The Myaamia Center’s staff has used this format to create words for 21st-century household objects—like kiinteelintaakani for computer, which literally translates to “the thing that thinks fast.” The exhibit discusses this creative process, providing visitors with a wide range of words they can use around their own homes! Objects with these types of literal transla- tions are central to the exhibit’s interactive feature. When entering the exhibit, visitors are provided with notecards displaying the word for a household object in myaamiaataweenki and its literal translation. The goal of the game is to match the notecards with the objects that are scattered throughout the exhibit’s two Myaamia home setups: a traditional domed wiikiaami to represent what a Myaamia home might have looked like in the 18th and 19th centuries and a contemporary living room to represent what many Myaamia homes look like today. By playing the game, visitors can see how myaamiaataweenki is a living, breathing language that adjusts to fit the needs of the Myaamia community. Apart from the matching game, visitors can also learn about the history of Myaamia homes and architecture, specifically the techniques Myaamia women used before removal to create homes that protected their families from the harsh Great Lakes winters. Mihšineewe to the Myaamia Center for their assistance with this exhibit! kiikinaana—Our Homes will remain up through 2023 at the MHMA’s location at 28 N. Main Street, Miami, OK. Expand your vocabulary Download the Myaamiaataweenki Dictionary! ILDA Dictionary Definitions from over 2,000 entries Myaamia students from Miami university viewing the exhibit, kiikinaana — Our Homes. Photo by Jonathan M. Fox. Audio pronunciations 6B Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - History & Culture, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2023 Minohsaya ‘Painted Hide’ Workshop Recap Cam Shriver Myaamia Research Associate & Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History teller George Ironstrack also helped put the minohsaya into conversation with Miami-Illinois culture stories, such as the Young Thunder Beings, ciinkweensaki. In more focused dialogues we also thought about the diplomatic uses of gifting robes like those now held in Paris. Scott Shoemaker showed the continuation of aesthetic forms into the ribbonwork of the more modern eras, and cultural practitioners (including both Cultural Resource/Preservation Offices from the Miamis and Peorias, respectively) deepened our appreciation for community needs today. If you have a chance, visit the “Minohsaya: Myaamia & Peewaalia Hide Art” is an exhibit curated by Morgan Lippert and Meghan Dorey and currently on display at the Peoria Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Center (CPC) in Miami. Myaamia citizens who could not see the exhibit at MHMA are welcome to view it at the CPC from 9 am-3 pm, Monday-Friday. It is an excellent display and worth a visit. Miami and Peoria people are working together in considering why hide painting deserves revitalization, as well as how to accomplish that objective. Join the conversation at aacimotaatiiyankwi.org. From the Aacimotaatiiyankwi Myaamia Com- A sample painted hide from the hide painting demonstration. munity Blog - posted Aug. 23, 2022 As blog readers may recall, a group of artists, educators, and scholars have been discussing Myaamia and Peewaalia ‘Miami and Peoria’ painted hides held in a museum in Paris, France, and thinking about revitalizing the meaning and practice of this artistic form. In early August of 2022, a group got together in Miami, Oklahoma. The goal? Practice painting deerskin hides, and continue brainstorming what it might mean for our understanding of the past and present. In addition to the enjoyment of being together as Miami and Peoria citizens and allies, the summit included several learning sessions. Two highlights were collaborator and artist Jamie Jacobs (Tonawanda Seneca) discussing artistic change over time in his community, and Michael Galban (Washoe/Mono Lake Paiute) helping us to make paint from alamooni ‘ochre’ and design tobacco pouches from brain-tanned deerskin. Michael is the manager and curator of the Ganondagan State Historic Site’s Seneca Art & Culture Center in upstate New York. We all feel a deep sense of gratitude to Michael and Jamie for traveling to Miami, Oklahoma and sharing their knowledge with us. As a group, we discussed aesthetics, the culturally specific identification of artistic beauty in objects and performances. It is clear enough that the old minohsayaki ‘painted hides’ are artistic expressions of their makers from back in the 1700s. The Illinois minohsayaki share commonalities with other communities, from the Senecas in New York to the Cherokees of the South, to Osages to the West. We spent a lot of time considering the aesthetic grammar of the colors and shapes inscribed on the robes. Story- A demonstration of the tools and techniques. Pigment used to make paint for the demonstration. M I A M I N A T I N N E W S meenapiyankwi Myaamia Publications – Vol. 16, No. 4, Fall-Winter 2022-2023 – Section C – Community – Noošonke Siipionki Myaamionki How the Heron Feels Kolby Lankford Community Member Article A great blue heron, waapinkosita sakia, is standing stoically near the bank with water up to his knees. Posed like a statue, he is patiently waiting for the Creator to deliver his breakfast. A great hunter, from a line of great hunters, makes his move as an unsuspecting hickory shad swims near the surface. It’s over as quickly as it began, and Heron is fed and happy for another day. I can’t help but think I know how Heron feels when he makes his catch, it must be the same feeling I get when I make mine. Heron is no doubt a better fisherman than we are, but if willing to learn there are many things he can teach us. He will show us where the bait fish want to be. Because where they are, bigger predator fish tend to be hunting as well. Those predator fish can make a fine meal, some of them will feed a good number of people off just one catch. As a people we have made great strides in the revitalization of our culture and language. Something that we can all be proud of. But I feel there is an often overlooked part of our culture that is significant to what makes us who we are as a people. Our food and more importantly the ways we obtain it. With becoming a “civilized” people, we have grown away from our traditions of eating what Creator provides us. A part of todays world is that not everyone has easy access to, or the knowledge, to harvest their own food. But don’t you worry! The flip side to that coin is access to a plethora of resources for learning that lost knowledge back. Our tribe has made a resource of native plants and their traditional uses, The Myaamia Ethnobotanical Database, ( https://mc.miamioh.edu/mahkihkiwa/ ) and it is a great tool to learn about commonly found edible and medicinal plants. Edible plants are all around us! And entry to foraging some of your own food isn’t as out of reach as you might think. Did you know dandelions are completely edible? Or that they are commonly used in teas and have many health benefits? Let’s get back to the idea of knowing how Heron feels when he makes his catch. There is something special that happens deep inside us when we catch a fish. It’s a feeling that almost can’t be described. A few days ago I asked tribal member Fisher Lankford a simple question, “How did it make you feel when you caught your first fish all by yourself?”. It had been about 6 months since it had happened, pretty much an eternity for a 4-year-old. His eyes lit up and he nearly couldn’t contain himself to answer, “It made me so happy! My heart was beating faster and faster! And I thought if I can catch one, then I can catch another!” The incident he remembers so well and got him all excited just thinking about, happened at a small creek less than 5 miles from our house last summer. It was just a small perch but he cast and caught it all on his own. He couldn’t have been more happy or excited. I can’t help but think maybe his reaction is more than just the influence of his father rubbing off on him. I think it’s deeper, I’ve never seen any person who didn’t enjoy catching a fish. Plenty don’t want any part of baiting a hook or touching the fish, but everyone loves the catching part. Maybe that feeling everyone gets is why we succeeded as a people. It wasn’t very long ago, and for a long time before, that we were in the same shoes as our brother heron. When there’s no grocery store to hit when you’re hungry, catching that fish becomes awful important. Could that special feeling be rooted in knowing you’re fed and happy for another day? There are many ways to harvest your own food, from making a dandelion greens salad to backpacking into the mountains in chase of an elk. It can be as easy and convenient or labor intensive and difficult as you wish it to be. Anyone who has had a bite of properly prepared elk backstrap can begin to understand the desire to go through the work and attempt to harvest one. Another thing worth noting is that wild game is the most eco-friendly, sustainable, and organic food that can be found anywhere. In closing I want to nudge all of you to make it a goal to harvest more of your own food, on whatever level you are comfortable with. Maybe you have a nephew or granddaughter you want to spend some quality time with. I can’t think of anything more memorable than taking them fishing, squirrel hunting, or even for a hike on public land looking for edible mushrooms and plants. If you find some that you don’t know then you can take pictures to identify them later and expand your knowledge. No matter what happens it is likely to be an experience you both long remember. If there’s any way I can assist your journey to harvesting more food, feel free to reach out, I will gladly help how I can. keešhtooyankwi ‘we make it’ at the Myaamia Makerspace From LtoR, Back row: Julie Olds, Miami Tribe member; Elizabeth Ellis, Peoria Tribe Member; Eric Toups, University of Illinois; Robert Morrissey, University of Illinois; Cam Shriver, Miami University; George Ironstrack, Miami Tribe member; Michael Galban, Seneca Art and Culture Center, NY. Front Row: Charla Echohawk, Peoria Tribe member; Burgundy Fletcher, Peoria Tribe member; Wesley Farless, Peoria Tribe Member; Scott Shoemaker, Miami Tribe member; Madison Bastress, A participant creates pigment for painting from a rock. Photos by Doug Peconge. New York University; Krystiana Krupa, University of Illinois; Scott Willard, Miami Tribe member. Exhibit at MHMA Explores Hide Art Morgan Lippert Curator of Exhibitions, MHMA NAGPRA Historian, CRO ity and creativity of the Myaamia and Peewaalia women who created minohsaya but also how the art form is connected to other aspects of Myaamia and Peewaalia culture, such as storytelling. A section of the exhibit focuses on the ways in which the shapes and imagery found in minohsaya are still incorporated into the lives of Myaamia and Peewaalia people today through ribbonwork, t-shirts, and tattoos. Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer mihšihkinaahkwa Logan York has a tattoo inspired by one of the minohsayaki in Paris and is quoted in the exhibit about this expression of cultural identity: “I have always been active as a Miami person, and showing that in any way I can has always been important to me. I believe showing one’s heritage is essential, and a traditional way for us is tattooing. This practice of tattooing fell out of favor with removal and boarding schools, and if I don’t help revitalize these kinds of things, who will?” Other exhibit highlights include bone tools like those used in minohsaya making and a Pendleton blanket commissioned by Miami University in the 1990s. The blanket’s design is inspired by one of the Miami-Illinois minohsayaki. The exhibit will travel to the Peoria Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Center (CPC) in Miami at the beginning of March for their citizens to enjoy during their General Council meeting. It will remain on display there through the summer. Myaamia citizens who could not see the exhibit at MHMA are welcome to view it at the CPC from 9 am-3 pm, Monday-Friday. Follow the Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive Facebook page for updates about this exhibit! In August 2022, the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive (MHMA) installed its newest exhibit Minohsaya: Myaamia & Peewaalia Hide Art. The exhibit expands on the work of Reclaiming Stories, an ongoing collaborative project between tribal cultural experts, artists, and academics dedicated to researching early Myaamia ‘Miami’ and Peewaalia ‘Peoria’ culture. This group includes Myaamia citizens George Ironstrack, Scott Shoemaker, and Julie Olds, as well as Myaamia Center employees Dr. David Costa and Dr. Cameron Shriver. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through the Humanities Without Walls Consortium, Reclaiming Stories aims to revitalize knowledge of minohsaya ‘hide art.’ It will give the Myaamia and Peewaalia communities opportunities to reconnect with the art form, reclaim its meanings, and create new practices for generations to come. Minohsaya: Myaamia & Peewaalia Hide Art highlights an 18th-century collection of MiamiIllinois minohsayaki ‘painted hide robes’ held by the Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris. In doing so, the exhibit explores minohsaya’s place within other indigenous communities, its connections to Myaamia ethnobiology, and the role it has and continues to play in inspiring Myaamia and Left: MHMA Curator of Exhibitions Morgan Lippert (right) discussing the exhibit with KrystiaPeewaalia people’s sense of cultural identity and na Krupa from the University of Illinois. Right: Reclaiming Stories team members Tosan Wesley community. Visitors learn not only the ingenu- Farless and George Ironstrack during their tour of the exhibit. Photos by Doug Peconge. Madalyn Richardson Cultural & Arts Education Content Specialist “What exactly IS a makerspace?” you might ask yourself and the answer is that a makerspace is both a space to make and the space you make it. For some it might be an art studio, coding lab, or prototype center, for another it is an experimental kitchen, woodshop, or gift-making center, and for another it’s a place to spend time with friends, meet community members, and learn something new. Each of these projects define a makerspace and each description would be right! And a makerspace can be so much more. The developing Myaamia Makerspace at the Ethel Miller Moore Cultural Education Center (EMMCEC) in Miami, OK is a space to learn from others, experiment with raw materials and innovative technology, feed your imagination, reflect on cultural identity, and learn to make the most of your creativity. At the Myaamia Makerspace, keešhtooyankwi – ‘we make it,’ but we also help bring ideas to you through online, distance learning. Through the space both on-site and online we hope to provide you with the tools and resources to make and share art, community, skills, and memories. In 2021, the building at EMMCEC received a complete makeover and much needed interior remodel. By that fall, the Myaamia Makerspace program began to take shape under the direction of Meghan Dorey from the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive and myself, Madalyn Richardson, as the first Makerspace Coordinator. Over the next few months, Meghan and I worked closely with Joshua Sutterfield, the Miami Tribe’s Cultural Education Director, and the Eemamwiciki team to develop programming for the makerspace. In April, the Myaamia Makerspace hosted its first events, focusing on Myaamia ecology. Conversations with Joshua, community member Dani Tippmann, and Madalyn provided information about Myaamia ecological perspective, leninši – ‘milkweed,’ and Myaamiaataweenki – ‘the Miami language.’ The community also came out to help clean up the grounds of the Ethel Miller Moore Cultural Education Center one sunny afternoon. Supported by a grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services, the Makerspace itself has been brought to life with new shelving, tools, and materials freely available to use. In June, we were pleased to set up and gather supplies to prepare for Eemamwiciki camps and National Gathering Week, where we hosted an Open House to kickoff onsite events. Attendees at the Open House enjoyed “Make-a-Game, Play-a-Game” activities, including decorating moccasin game pads with vinyl, decorating dice bowls, and making their own sets of dice from Kentucky coffee tree beans. The Makerspace is now available for use during regular business hours, but we ask those interested in visiting to call or message ahead to ensure staff are available. Be sure to follow along @MyaamiaMakerspace on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube in order to stay up to date on makerspace activities. A young tribal member helps color the welcome poster at the Myaamia Makerspace. Tribal member making her own mahkisina game at the Open House event. FOLLOW THE MYAAMIA MAKERSPACE ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM Tribal member Megan Mooney wood burning a seenseewinki bowl at the Open House event. Photos by Karen L. Baldwin. 2C Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - Community, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2022 Toopeeliciki: Highlighting Accomplishments & Honors Bestowed on Miami Citizens! Eight Myaamia Graduates from MU in 2022 Mother and Daughter, Author and Illustrator Team Community Member Article Miami Tribal members Melinda Kasten and her daughter, Makayla Wood, have recently had a children’s book published. Little Chick’s New Home is a powerful message about belonging and acceptance, despite our differences. The book was written for Me- Melinda Kasten (left) and linda’s own foster daughter when she was daughter Makayla Wood going through a time of searching for her (right) are Myaamia citiown belonging and acceptance. Melinda and zens and author and illusMakayla’s hopes are that all children (and trator team. Community adults) that read this story will know that they member photo. have value and are loved. The story is about a little chick who has lost her way and is trying to find a place to stay on the farm. The animals aren’t accepting because she looks and acts different than them, but when she finds Shiloh Shepherd, he explains what love and acceptance really looks like. The colorful illustrations and poetic rhythm of the story have been enjoyed from preschoolers all the way through middle schoolers. This inspiring story will bring tears to your eyes as you follow Little Chick on her journey. Little Chick can be purchased from Melinda’s website www.mkinspirations.com. Books ordered from her website will be autographed and personalized messages can be requested. Right: LtoR: Madison Wood, Zac Sine, Emma Humenay, Lela Troyer, Stella Beerman, and Josh McCoy. LtoR: Megan Sekulich and Emma Fanning. Photos by Karen L. Baldwin. We would like to congratulate the following Myaamia, 2022 spring graduates from Miami University: Madison Wood received a degree in Education Studies. Zac Sine completed a degree in Social Work. Emma Humenay completed a degree in Kinesiology and Health. Lela Troyer graduated with a degree in Communication Design. Stella Beerman completed a degree in Journalism and Emerging Technology and Business Design. Josh McCoy received a degree in Computer Science. We would also like to congratulate the two 2022 winter graduates: Emma Fanning graduated with a degree in Anthropology. Megan Sekulich received a degree in Studio Art. Miami citizen awarded Miami citizen admitted $492,000 Mellon Foun- to Minnesota Bar Miami Tribal citizen dation grant as Univerlenipinšia, Ian Young, was admitted to the Minsity faculty member Miami citizen, John Bickers’ and his colleague Noël M. Voltz were awarded a $492,000 Mellon Foundation grant as assistant professors of history at Case Western Reserve University’s College of Arts and Sciences. The grant will be used to support work meant to provide a more accurate and comprehensive narrative of Black and Native American political life in the United States before the modern Civil Rights movement. To learn more about the work being done by Voltz and Bickers’ and their research team please visit, thedaily.case.edu/ case-western-reserve-university-faculty-membersawarded-492000-mellonfoundation-grant/ lenipenšia, Ian Young nesota Bar in November 2020. After spending some time working as a public defender, he is now working as a staff attorney for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Minnesota. Miami citizen graduates from Kansas State University Above: Noël M. Voltz. Below: John Bickers, Miami tribal citizen. Photo courtesy of ‘The Daily,’ Case Western Reserve University. Miami Tribal member Brakelle Rose Bullock graduated with her bachelors of sciBrakelle ence in sociology degree with an emphasis in criminology Rose Bullock and a minor in conflict analysis and trauma studies on Dec. 10th, 2022 from Kansas State University. We congratulate her in her achievements. College Students of Indiana – Did You Know... The Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission provides scholarships to Native American residents of Indiana attending an Indiana college or university? Apply today! For more information and application, visit: www.in.gov/inaiac/resources /education-resources/ scholarshipresources/ OBITUARIES, BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, GRADUATIONS 2023 Eemamwiciki Program Applications Now Available! Theme: kiikinaana ‘Our Homes’ In-Person programs: June 12-16, 2023 - Miami, OK | July 17-21, 2023 - Fort Wayne, IN At Your Own Pace Programs: Begin June 19 - Online Application Deadline: May 26, 2023 Keep an eye out for your application in your mailbox! & OTHER HONORS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS Miami Tribe of Oklahoma citizens and their family are encouraged to submit obituaries, birth and marriage announcements, graduation and other achievements to this Myaamia Community publication. Send detailed text and a color or black and white photo to the Cultural Resources Office at: mtocro@gmail.com Photo resolution: 300 dpi Minimum photo size: 3” x 3” Formats: tif, jpg, pdf, psd Aatotankiki Myaamiaki - Communitty, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2022 3C Gardening at the Drake House Madalyn Richardson Cultural & Arts Education Content Specialist The gardens at the historic Drake House in myaamionki noošonke siipionki ‘Miami, OK,’ have provided food and an opportunity to experiment with and demonstrate various techniques for use in both smalland large-scale production. The Drake House property was added to the Tribal Registry of Historic Places in 2006 and has been home to many cultural events and activities for years. Over the past couple of years, the Natural Resources Office (NRO) staff of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma have been cultivating gardens, new projects, and community involvement to improve horticultural capabilities and establish greater food sovereignty. The employment of various gardening techniques and practices assumes the risks of experimentation to share reliable information with the community. This year it produced enough food that the Tribe hosted our first community food-sharing events. The purpose of the gardens is for knowledge sharing, skill sharing, food sharing, and growing food sovereignty. In the spring of 2020, plans were developed, and modest efforts at container growing were initiated. In the following spring of 2021, a thorough cleanup ensued, and more designing and layout for the space began. The staff utilized experimental gardening methods to discover and develop best practices that can be shared with and adapted by community members. Each season provides opportunities to try new planting methods, refine the gardening process, observe what does and doesn’t work well, and continue cultivating a horticultural knowledge base. Even when a specific process might fail or prove unsuccessful, it provides more insight into what could work well and informs what to try next. When walking around the gardens at the Drake House property, one will notice several different types of gardening methods being used. There are raised beds, container gardens, matted gardens, and trellis gardens. Raised beds allow plants to get started without flooding and allow the soil to be mixed with desired ratios of Tomato plants at the Drake House Garden. Phosand, soil, compost, to by Joshua Sutterfield. and other materials. Containers and vertical gardening practices are easily adapted to urban garden settings where space can be limited. The hanging trellis system for tomatoes works very well since it supports vines, allows the plant to grow to its full potential, and makes the fruit more accessible. Utilizing containers, matting, and trellis systems increase space efficiency, manages irrigation, provides weed maintenance, and eliminates plant competition. The white containers, which can be seen lined up in rows, are called RootTrappers, made by Root Maker. They were selected due to their unique “Air Pruning” technology that allows plants to grow more root mass. According to Natural Resources Officer and Second Chief Dustin Olds, “if they [plant’s roots] circle, they go around and around, and that is not good for the plant.” Air Pruning works by allowing airflow through tiny perforations in the container wall. When the root gets to the container’s edge, it becomes pruned by the air, and rather than circling around, it begins to grow smaller roots behind the pruned end, which creates greater overall root mass compared to conventional containers. The garden produces beets, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, jalapeños, kale, lettuce, Myaamia miincipi (Miami white corn), onions, potatoes, radishes, Swiss chard, squash, strawberries, cantaloupe, pumpkins, tomatoes, and zucchini and still has room to grow, trying new things each year. Some of the crops that Olds really A young visitor with their harvested strawberries. Photo by Joshua Sutterfield. hopes to focus on in the upcoming seasons are early- and late-season greens, melons, tomatoes, pumpkins, and Miami corn. Over the next few decades, plans include expanding the project to grow the Myaamia miincipi seed bank for cornmeal products and to grow enough produce to make healthy foods available to the Tribal community at a competitive price. Another very important element of the future food system will be to share ga [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Amiami_oklahoma%3Acab1424d3508936f. Public record. Not legal advice.