2023 Fall Newsletter

A small example of reed weaving that the Tribe used to make floor coverings for their lodge.

Shannera is holding a large basket made from peeled tree bark. The stick Shannera is holding is her very own lacrosse stick. These sticks are made from young hickory sprouts. One end is thinned flat a foot or so long, then it is heated in hot water so the circle can be formed and lashed into shape. Shannera stated that when the Indiana tribe visited the Okalahoma tribe for a powwow they would hold Lacrosse matches using the old style native sticks. These games are pretty much “rough and tumble” as the participants sometimes go home with wounded pride and busted appendages

The women of the tribe wove reeds and cattail leaves into mats that were used to fashsion cover ings for their homes

Community Outreach

The new "Community Outreach" program at the museum is growing...and we are so proud! We strive to "reach out" to share our community's vibrant history. Among the most valuable history is that of both the indigenous and the emigrant tribes of current day Miami County. On November 8, 2023, we provided two educational presentations to Dan Doolittle's seventh grade history class at Paola Middle School November is "Native American Heritage Month" and the enthusiasm to learn about the native history was high among the students. Presenters were Shannera McCoy, the current Miami Nation Princess, and Jeanne Dagen et, great-great granddaughter of Christmas Dagenet and Mary Ann Peoria. The students learned about the Miami Nation, the tribe our county is honored to be named for. Topics discussed by Jeanne included the origin of the tribe, the 1830 Removal Act, the tragic forced removal from Indiana and the second forced removal from Miami County. Shannera then provided the reality of the tribe today through authentic story-telling and fact sharing. She presented that the Miami Nation of Oklahoma is made up of native people who have persevered and triumphed. They are a nation of people who have reclaimed their culture, their language and their hope for tomorrow. We thank the administration of Paola Middle School and Dan Doolittle for inviting us to their classroom and recognizing the value of the information we share. For more information about our Community Outreach Program, call Jana Harrington-Barcus, executive director of the museum, at 913-333-2657 on any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

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