Miami Tribe Establishes New Cultural Resources Extension Office In
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An Official Publication of the Sovereign Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Volume 12, No. 4, Section A Published by Myaamia Publications teekwaaki 2014 Tribal News Miami Tribe Establishes New Cultural Chief’s Report... 2A Resources Extension Office in Indiana Fall Gatherings 2A By Julie Olds, Cultural Resources Officer Neil Watson Honored 3A Myaamia Center 4A The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Resources Office (CRO) of the Tribal Historic Preservation Of- Police Funding 4A Business Committee announced, Miami Tribe. Two full-time em- ficer. The second position, Com- during a Tribal community gather- ployees will be on site with duties munity Programming Manager, has Ribbonwork 5A ing held in Ft. Wayne, IN in Octo- pertaining to responsibilities of the not yet been filled. New Curriculum 6A ber 2014, the purchase of a property Tribe outlined in the National His- The Business Committee host- ATHPO Hired 7A in Ft. Wayne, for the establishment toric Preservation Act and Native ed an open house event on Thurs- NEA Grant 8A of a Cultural Resources Extension American Graves Protection and day, January 15, 2015, to allow CRO Job Opening 8A Office. Repatriation Act, as well as com- the Tribal community to view the Winter Gathering 1B Speaking to the crowd of 75 munity programming and a number building in its current state. A pub- “Story of the Sash” 1B myaamia citizens gathered for the of other CRO concerns. lic open-house event was held on History 2B event, Chief Lankford stated, “We The building is a 10 year old, Friday, January 16th from 10:30 Summer Program 5B are excited to announce we have two-story, 3,000 sq foot, residen- a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests attending that purchased a piece of our homeland. tial structure. Plans for renovation event included Ft. Wayne City Of- Births 6B Our concerns and interests regard- include the conversion of shop and ficials and individuals from State Deaths 7B ing history and culture in Indiana garage areas into office space and and Local History centers. The of- Eewansaapita C will be better served by our pres- an attached barn/stable area into a ficial ribbon-cutting event will be ence here”. conference room. held in the spring. That date is yet The building, located on 10 The office is set to open in early to be finalized. Once established it Insert: SORNA Flier acres at 10901 Trentman Rd. in February with the presence of two will be posted to the Tribal website Fort Wayne, IN, will serve as an employees. Tribal member Diane and be printed in the Winter news- extension office for the Cultural Hunter has been hired as Assistant paper, set to mail in late February. The new Cultural Resources Extension Office located in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Photo by Julie Olds. Neal Watson Honored - pg 3A Tribe Installs New Road To Myaamia Heritage Cemetery By Emilee Truelove, Media Specialist The Tribal Roads Department is us- ing federal reservation roads funds to reconstruct the parking lot and entry roadway to the Myaamia Heri- tage Cemetery. According to Officer James Bat- tese, the contract was awarded to White Loon Construction, a Miami Nation Enterprises business. They will be reconstructing the road from East 30 Road north about 500 feet and resurfacing the parking lot. Mr. Battese says they will be fin- Grammy Winning ishing the intersection at the entrance Oneida Singer/Songwriter to the cemetery and building an ad- White Loon Equipment Company is constructing the new entry road to the Joanne Shenandoah to Perform ditional intersection that will be used Myaamia Heritage Cemetery . Staff photo. During 2015 National Gathering for future expansion. The entire proj- page 8A ect will be cemented and curbed and should be completed in early 2015. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE For cemetery internment informa- Banner Image Credit: tion, please contact James Battese or MYAAMIA WINTER GATHERING SET kaanseenseemini - pecan Tera Hatley at Tribal Headquarters, FOR JANUARY 30 & 31, 2015 AT THE Banner photo by Julie Olds. 918-542-1445, or visit www.miami- nation.com/cemetery MYAAMIA COMMUNITY CENTER. 2A aatotankiki myaamiaki, teekwaaki 2014 aacimwita akima: The Chief Reports By Chief Douglas Lankford, eecipoonkwia aya ceeki eeweemakiki! It seems like I was cultural education events and winter story gath- just wishing you all a Merry Christmas a few erings are set for Friday, January 30th. Our months ago, but here we are, already wrapping Gourd Dance, chili dinner and Stomp will be up another year. And what a year it’s been! Saturday, January 31st at the Council House. I believe 2014 will be remembered as one We’re honored to have Jimmy Whiteshirt (Paw- of the brightest years in our nation’s history. It nee, Otoe, Arapaho) serve as Head Gourd Danc- seems we focused the latter part of 2013 on re- er and Jr. Kent (Pawnee, Ponca, Otoe, Iowa) as structuring our team and planning our future. head singer. I look forward to seeing many of It was time well spent but we were doing what you and encourage you to come out and dance I think of as the nuts and bolts of government. with us. Like any transitioning organization, our staff I’m so appreciative of all of our Indiana and and new leadership had to find our rhythm; and Kansas relatives who attended our Fall Gather- we soon did. ings. These events have quickly become two of Our employees not only rose to the challeng- my favorite Saturdays of the year! Please watch es, but they exceeded my expectations of what the website for a list of 2015 tribal events. We’re could be accomplished during our first full year going to try to set dates for our larger events as together. Some of us were stretched beyond our soon as possible to help you plan to attend. comfort zones from time to time, but I believe Even though we’re filling our calendars for we were strengthened by those experiences and the coming months, I hope you will make time they developed us to be better stewards of the to slow down and enjoy this special time of tribe. year. For some of us, especially those of us Once again, we will hit the ground running with grandkids, it really is the most wonderful in January. Renovation of our P Street Complex time of year. Unfortunately, we also know it can will be underway with plans to relocate Tribal be rough on many of our elders and relatives. Headquarters there by late spring. Having the Please remember to check in with those who vast majority of our staff working under one may be struggling. roof will greatly increase our efficiency and al- I’m especially grateful for our service men low us to better serve you. and women and their families who will have an akima eecipoonkwia - Chief Douglas Lankford The Complex was built on one of our original empty chair at the holiday dinner. I’m always allotments so that land has remained a special thankful for your sacrifices, but am especially place for us. We’re grateful to be able to com- humbled this time of year. plete that circle and conduct our government Gena and I thank each of you for your friend- Chief Lankford from that place. ship and support. I join the Tribal Business Plans also are underway for our annual Win- Committee, and our staff, in wishing you and Challenges All ter Gathering set for January 30 & 31st. Our your families a healthy, happy new year! Myaamiaki to Fall Gatherings Held in Myaamia Learn Myaamia Staff Article Homelands Language Staff Article The Business Committee held Fall Gatherings School Funds. Executive Officer Gloria Steed During the 2014 General Council Meeting, Chief again this year. On September 13, they met trib- spoke about eewansaapita Summer Youth Camp Douglas Lankford expressed his gratitude to Dr. al members in Louisberg, Kansas, and on Octo- and Miami Nation Enterprises’ President Tim David Costa when he honored him with a Pend- ber 18 hosted members in Fort Wayne, Indiana. LaFalier provided an update on the tribe’s busi- leton blanket as a gift from the Myaamiaki for his The programs were the same for both plac- nesses. Chief also discussed the vote at General work on the myaamia language. Following this, es. George Strack led the group in an open- Council to change Annual Meeting to the last Chief Lankford spoke to the audience of his per- ing Round Dance. Jarrid Baldwin joined him week in June each year. The 2015 dates are June sonal commitment as a student of our heritage in Kansas. After the dance and introductions, 25-27. language and then challenged his fellow Tribal members enjoyed lunch followed by the presen- “We appreciate everyone who participated in citizens to make the commitment to learn 10 new tation Chief Doug Lankford shared at Annual the Gatherings. I’m glad to see this become a words in the myaamia language before the 2015 Meeting. He also announced the new Veteran’s new tradition for our tribal members who live General Council Meeting. Chief Lankford stated Benefit and explained how to apply. away. It’s always good to hear their feedback that each Tribal member who can tell him those Other speakers included Donya Williams with and perspectives on how we’re doing,” Chief 10 words in Myaamia will get a special gift at the a reminder about scholarships and Back-to- Lankford said. meeting. The challenge is open to members of all ages. Contact the Cultural Resources Office for in- formation on language classes and home learning tools.