Volume 15, No. 2, Section A
Noošonke Siipionki Myaamionki
Myaamia Publications 2018
Myaamia Winter Gathering: A New Logo Stories, Dancing & Community to Represent a Special Relationship By Julie Olds, Cultural Resources Officer
On the eighth day of waawiita kiilhswa (lost moon) - or Friday, January 26, 2018 - Myaamia people and guests gathered in Miami, OK, for the two-day social event known as the Myaamia Winter Gathering. The event is a community favorite, and attendance continues to increase with every gathering. The Winter Gathering originated in 1995 as the Miami Tribe Winter Stomp Dance and was hosted by the Tribal Traditions Committee. That first dance was intended to be a single event, however, when Chief Floyd Leonard saw the large turnout of over 500 people, he announced, to the surprise of the Committee, that the dance would become an annual event for the Miami Tribe. That dance marked the first time the Miami Tribe had hosted an inter-tribal social gathering in many, many years. Two years later, in the spring of 1997, the seeds of cultural revitalization were planted when the Tribe was awarded an ANA Language
Grant. The efforts of that two year funded project were successful in putting down the roots of what would become the Cultural Resources Office and a movement within the Myaamia community known as “Myaamiaki Eemamwiciki The Miami Awakening.” The affects of heritage preservation and community revitalization - eemamwiciki - are easily distinguished during the collective events that make up the Myaamia Winter Gathering. From the cultural education presentations, games and storytelling that take place on the first day, to the language workshops, exhibits and social dancing enjoyed on the second day, all things exude Myaamia culture and language. The 2018 Winter Gathering was very well attended by the community and visitors. On Friday, January 26, educational presentations included ribbonwork, Kansas allotment history and allotment map, “stomp & social dance 101,” “Myaamia stories 101” and “My-
The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University, in Oxford, OH, have formally introduced a new logo specifically designed to represent the unique relationship shared between the two entities. The logo, known as the “Myaamia Heritage Logo”, visually references the traditional art form of ribbonwork made by the Miami. Made up of geometric diamond shapes common to Miami ribbonwork, the logo contains two elongated diamond shapes on the outside, and a diamond in the center. But what should catch the eye of the observant Myaamia person is the inclusion of a red circle located in the center of the middle diamond. It is the inclusion of this round element, a shape that would not be found in traditional Myaamia ribbonwork, which sets Continued on page 7A the logo apart as a unique mark. The colors of the logo embed further meaning. The elongated diamond on the left is black and represents the Miami Tribe, with the color black representing depth of time, earned respect, accumulated cultural wisdom and recognizes the Tribe’s deep ties to their historical homelands. The elongated diamond on the right is red and represents Miami University. Red stands for responsibility, sacrifice, and a commitment to gain and share knowledge. The diamond in the middle is white and represents the area of connection and collaboration, of shared Continued on page 8A
A Logo, A Relationship The Myaamia Heritage Logo references the traditional Miami Tribe art form of ribbonwork and symbolizes the unique relationship between the University and Tribe. *The Myaamia Heritage Logo does not replace any current symbols used by Miami University or the Miami Tribe.
Myaamia storytellers posed following the annual storytelling event held on Friday, January 27th, during the 2018 Myaamia Winter Gathering. From left to right; Haley Strass, George (Text excerpts from Miami University website.) Ironstrack, Kara Strass, Jarrid Baldwin, Brad Kasberg, George Strack, Doug Peconge and Chris Bowyer. Photo by Karen Baldwin, Cultural Resources Office.
Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive Features Myaamia Artists Staff Article
The Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive is happy to announce that Katrina Mitten, renowned beadworker and Myaamia citizen, will be a featured artist at the Museum during the 2018 Annual National Gathering weekend. Katrina lives in Huntington, Indiana, and has been a beadworker for over 45 years. She learned the art of beadwork through study of family heirlooms, museum collections, and much practice. She is well known
for her embroidery beadwork style on 3D objects, like her “flea market find” purses and handbags. She also makes a variety of vests, cradleboards, and unique jewelry sets. Two of Katrina’s pieces are currently on display at MHMA: ‘aacimooni iihkwiliaakani’ or Emergence, a beaded vest depicting the Myaamia emergence story, and ‘ceecaahkwa kiišaanaahkwi,’ Works by the late Myaamia artist and storyteller Eugene Vincent Brown, a women’s bag with a depiction of and award winning Myaamia beadwork artist Katrina Mitten will be on display from June 24th through June 30 as part of the 2018 Miami the sandhill crane. Continued on page 8A National Gathering Week in Miami , OK.
Notice: The 2018 Meeting of the Miami Nation General Council is set for Saturday, June 30th at 9 a.m. in the Nation’s Council House in Miami, Oklahoma. Watch for updates at www.miamination.com and on Facebook.