The Miami Nation of Oklahoma

The Miami Nation of Oklahoma is the only federally recognized tribe of the Miami Indians in the United States. Their headquarters is located in Miami, Oklahoma. Enrollment is based on documented lineal descent and not a blood quantum requirement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Tribe_of_Oklahoma

The Miami people call themselves myaamia, which means the downstream people. Derived from their traditional name, today their name is pronounced Miami. The United States government recognizes them as the Sovereign Nation the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. They originate from the Great Lakes region within the boundaries of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, lower Michigan and lower Wisconsin.

They were among those Nations exposed to early European contact, first through the Jesuit mission in the late 1600’s, followed soon after by the French and British invasion and struggle for control of the Great Lakes region. In those days they numbered in the tens of thousands. The following years of struggle through the establishment of the United States of America is a history that includes the efforts of the Miami people to retain their homeland. Stories of Miami Chiefs and War Chiefs, their wisdom, victories and defeats, are all recorded in history. They are well known.

The treaty period was devastating, marked by the Greenville Treaty of 1795, which required massive cession of lands. The signing of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by President Andrew Jackson would then set in motion a chain of events that would alter their place and people forever. Then the Treaty of 1840 would call for the removal of the Miami Tribe to regions beyond the Mississippi. In October of 1846, after many attempts to avoid this devastating move the Miami people, numbering approximately 500, were herded at gunpoint and forced onto canal boats to begin the long journey down the Erie Canal from eastern Indiana to the Ohio River. From there they would be put on steam boats to take them west, down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, up to the Missouri and across to Westport Landing near Kansas City. They then would make their way south by horseback and wagon to a reserve held for them in the land of the Kaw people, near modern day La Cygne, Kansas. Here they remained until the Treaty of 1867, which called for their removal again, this time to the Indian Territory, or Oklahoma. By the time they arrived in the Indian Territory the Miami Nation numbered fewer than 100 adults.

In 1939, shortly after the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936, their first Tribal Constitution was adopted and they were officially recognized us as the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Since that constitution their Nation has been governed by an elected leadership consisting of a Chief, Second Chief, Secretary-Treasurer, and two Councilpersons; known collectively as the Tribal Business Committee. These leaders follow in the footsteps of those that came before them in the constant struggle to retain their sovereignty and demand their right to self-determination through their status as a self-governing Nation.

Today the Miami Nation of Oklahoma numbers over 4,400 citizens. Their continued existence is due to, and in honor of, those who walked before them, who fought and worked and struggled to remain. These collected efforts brought them to where they are today. Therefore, in respectful and steely determination, they work to build for their community, provide for and teach their children, and care for their elders. Their economic development efforts are vital to the solid foundation needed to allow their tribal members to rise to their responsibilities today, and to continue to support them tomorrow. They work to assure that while the sun continues to rise it will shine on the people known as myaamiaki.

http://www.miamination.com/about

 

Douglas G. Lankford (Chief)
Tel: (918) 542-1445
Fax: (918) 542-7260
PO Box 1326
Miami, OK74355-1326

Website: http://www.miamination.com