RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED RETURN SERVICE MIAMI, OK 74355 MIAMI NATION An Official Publication of the Sovereign Miami Nation BOX 1326 P.O. STIGLER, OK 74462 PERMIT NO 49 PERMIT PAID US POSTAGE PR SRT STD PR SRT Vol. 10, No. 3 myaamionki teekwaaki 2011 Myaamia Scholars Present Papers at the 43rd Algonquian Conference By George Strack The 43rd Annual Algonquian Conference was held Oc- veloped through the collaborative efforts of the Myaamia tober 20-23, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tribal mem- Project and Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. David presented on bers Dr. Wesley Leonard, George Ironstrack and Andrew his continuing research of language materials that he and Strack, along with Myaamia Project linguist Dr. David Daryl Baldwin are utilizing to develop language materials Costa, presented at this year’s conference. for our community. All four of the presentations illustrated The conference is held annually in various locations to conference attendees how the work of dedicated Miami throughout the United States and Canada and is intended tribal members and Myaamia Project staff, with the sup- to bring together a broad spectrum of community scholars port of the Miami Nation, has enabled the Myaamia lan- whose work focuses on the languages and cultures of Al- guage to once again to spoken and heard within our tribal gonquian peoples. community. Conference program and highlights can be Wes, George and Andrew gave separate presentations found on the website listed below. that highlighted the programs, activities and initiatives de- http://2011.algonquian.org/en/program/ TRIBAL NEWS Chief Reports Pg 2 Theobald Interns Pg 3 Winter Gathering Pg 3 Genomics Pg 6 Employee Spotlight Pg 9 Archery Grant Pg 12 Eiteljorg Pg 12 Community Artist, Cathy Mowry Pg 5 Member Spotlight: Eugene Brown Pg 7 Resource Advisory Pg 13 Deaths Pg 14 Births Pg 15 Culture & History Eewansaapita, OK Pg 4 Pictured above are Myaamia participants at the 43rd Algonquian Conference, held October 20-23 in Ann Arbor, MI. Eewansaapita, IN Pg 5 L-r; George Ironstrack (Assistant Director, Myaamia Project), Andrew Strack (Media Specialist, Myaamia Project) History Pg 10 and Dr. Wesley Leonard. Events 2011 Mihšihkinaahkwa Pow Wow Held In Columbia Event Notices Pg 6,7 By Hugh Morgan City, Indiana Members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma held a highly successful pow- wow in Columbia City, Indiana August 12-14 on the ancestral land where Miami lived for centuries. “The attendance at the gate was 1,640 adults and including the chil- dren was well over 2, 000,” said Cathy Mowry of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who helped plan the Mihšihkinaahkwa Powwow 2011. The annual pow- wow is named for Little Turtle, the legendary chief of the Miamis in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The annual powwow was primarily sponsored by M.I.A.M.I for Mi- ami Indian Alliance for Miami Indians. Most members are descendants of Jean Baptiste de Richardville, who was chief of the Miamis in the early 19th century, and belong to the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Chief Tom Gamble, Second Chief Doug Lankford, and First Coun- cilperson Donya Williams traveled from Oklahoma to participate in the powwow. “It was very heartwarming that members of the Miami Tribe still liv- ing in the homeland continue in the tradition of gatherings and celebra- tions as in the past,” Chief Gamble said. “I enjoyed the company and kinship of the Miamis in our Ancestral Homelands.” Daryl Baldwin Joins ELF Councilperson Williams brought her regalia and participated in the Board of Directors, pg.4. powwow. “ One of my dreams came true at the Mihšihkinaahkwa Powwow,” Williams said. “I was able to dance upon the land where my ancestors once trod. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit with our relations while ABOUT OUR BANNER enjoying the Powwow atmosphere. IMAGE: “Vendors were selling roasted corn, peach frybread that were as big Beginning with the 2010 Winter as the plate, jewelry, cloth and leather goods, and many other items. I edition of aatotankiki myaamia- so much enjoyed my time in Columbia City, Indiana and plan to return ki, we elected to use a revolving banner theme incorporating pho- when possible - and if you get a chance, I hope you will join me!” she tos that were ecologically based concluded in her comments meant for all tribal members. and in keeping with the seasonal Among the traditional powwow participants who were members of the distribution of the paper. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma was Greta Sirois of Fort Wayne, who for the banner selected for this Autumn Tribal member Greta Sirois of Ft. Wayne, first time served as the head lady dancer. edition honors pyaakimini - per- IN, served as Head Lady Dancer for the “As head lady dancer, it is my responsibility to lead the women and simmon fruit. 2011 Mihšihkinaahkwa Pow Wow in Co- girls in the dances and answer any of their questions or address any of BANNER PHOTO CREDIT: lumbia City, IN held August 12-14, 2011. their concerns,” Greta explained. “The head lady is responsible for see- Karen Baldwin, Liberty, IN ing that women and girls follow protocol and that they also feel wel- come at our powwow.” Continued on page 3. Read Atotankiki Myaamiaki online at www.miamination.com/mto/newsarchive/ 2 aatotankiki myaamiaki, teekwaaki 2011 aacimwita akima: A message from the Chief October 17, 2011 Commerce Coalition. Mr. Stagner took issue with Brinkley’s comments, Aya ceeki eeweemakiki (greetings to all my relatives), stating that many tribes operate legal internet businesses which provide on- Some of you may have recently noticed that the news media have taken an line short-term loans. He correctly interest in some of our tribally owned businesses due to some legal matters we stated that these tribally-operated have been litigating in courts for many, many years. In response to these news businesses were unfairly maligned, stories which, in spite of the fact we are winning our cases, attempts to cast a and that the facts were sensational- negative light on some of our business operations, I submit this letter to provide ized by the media. “our side of the story”and to share some information about our fully regulated The Miami Tribe’s passing of laws and legal tribal business which was not offered by the media. An appropriate to govern our online short-term lend- place to begin is with a short overview of tribal economic development over the ing businesses is no different than past two decades. South Dakota passing favorable laws The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, like many other tribes that have endured a in order to attract Citigroup and the history of destructive federal policies, was at one time completely dependent on like to set up niche industries within federal government funding for survival. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act its jurisdiction. Just like all of the (IGRA) began to change that. In 1988, Congress passed IGRA with the fol- credit card companies in South Da- lowing objectives: to promote tribal self-sufficiency, to ensure that Indian tribes kota that are subject to the laws of remain the primary beneficiaries of gaming revenues from gaming activities, to South Dakota, our tribal online short- establish procedures for fair and honest gambling, and to set standards for the term lending businesses are strictly National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) who would have oversight over regulated by our laws, as well as fed- tribal Class II gaming, with tribes serving as the primary regulators for Class II eral law. And just like other providers Chief Tom Gamble gaming. of financial products, our tribal online As a result of gaming, a new revenue stream became available to tribes. This short-term lending businesses provide a vital service to many Americans who new revenue allowed tribes to enhance their programs and services for members would otherwise be without access to short-term financial assistance. and to diversify into other economic development opportunities to further estab- MNE and AMG Services, Inc., and MNE Services, Inc. are regulated by lish independence from U.S. government funds—all in furtherance in of federal Miami tribal law, are fully compliant with federal laws, and offer impartial ar- public policy. bitration for any dispute that a consumer may have. Additionally, consumers In the late 1990’s the Miami Tribe entered into a joint venture with the Modoc who do business online with the Tribe have the benefit of a single, uniform set Tribe for the Stables Casino. Soon after that, the Tribe opened Miami Tribe En- of rules and regulations which apply nationwide – compared to the conflicting tertainment, a small operation in the Tribe’s headquarters building. From past and confusing rules promulgated by the various states, some of which regulate experience, the Tribe understood that the playing field in gaming might change lending, others of which do not. The Tribe strives to provide clear information at any time, so the Tribe continued to explore other business opportunities to concerning loan terms and fees, so that consumers can make an educated deci- diversify and develop the Tribe’s economy. sion as to whether or not to apply for an online short-term loan. In 2003 the Tribe was presented with a unique opportunity to establish an The Miami Tribe’s online short-term lending businesses are part of a reported online short-term lending business. After careful consideration, the decision 35 tribally-owned online short-term loan businesses, competing in an internet was made to move forward with this business opportunity, and by late 2003 market of more than 3,000 companies. We recognize that consumers have many the Tribe began operating an online short-term lending business.