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Council, Trust Board, and DEA Extend Sincere Thanks to Wayne Stull
Wayne resigned from these three recently in order to have time to pursue other interests He dedicated much of his time over more than ten years of service to the Delaware Tribe of Indians. During that period he served on Tribal Council (two terms as Assistant Chief), Trust Board (multiple terms, most recently as Trust Board Chair), and Delaware Enterprise Authority (DEA) for over five years. Members of all three groups are sorry to see Wayne resigned, will miss his efforts for our Delaware Tribe, and wish him, and his family, all the best possible in all their future endeavors. Sincere thanks for your many years of service to Delaware Tribe of Indians, Wayne!
—Chet Brooks, on behalf of the Tribal Council, Trust Board, and the rest of tribal government
Tribal Members and Staff to Speak at 2012 Ethnohistory Conference
Tribal Historic Preservation Director Brice Obermeyer, Archaeologist Greg Brown, and tribal member and historian Nicky Michael will present papers at the 2012 Ethnohistory Conference, November 7-10, 2012, at Springfield, Missouri.
The speakers are part of a panel titled THE DELAWARE AND THE OZARK FRONTIER IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY, chaired by tribal historic preservation officer Brice Obermeyer. Part 1 of the panel, which includes talks by Dr. Obermeyer and Dr. Michael, will be held on Thursday, November 8 from 9:00am to 10:45am; Part 2, which includes talks by Missouri State archaeologists Marcie Venter and Neal Lopinot as well as tribal archaeologist Greg Brown, will be held on Friday, November 9 from 10:00am to 11:45am.
An afternoon tour of the Delaware Town area, site of the recent archaeological work sponsored by the Tribe, will be held Friday, November 9 from 2:00pm to 5:0pm.
Tribal members are encouraged to attend. The conference has kindly offered complimentary registration for tribal members. If you are interested, please contact Brice Obermeyer at bobermeyer@delawaretribe.org or by phone at 918-335-7026. If there is sufficient interest, the Tribe may be able to offer transportation to and from the event.
Panel Details
Abstract: As one of many Eastern Woodland tribes removed west of the Mississippi River prior to the Indian Removal Act, the Delaware were confronted with several new challenges and opportunities following their relocation to the Ozark region of what is today southern Missouri. Panelists will explore this unique but brief period of Delaware history through recent archaeological, historic and ethnohistoric research.
Note: The panel will be followed by a guided tour of the National Register-eligible Delaware period sites in the James River Valley south of Springfield.
Participants
Trail Beginnings and the Delaware in Missouri
An oft-used quote from the American colonial era describes the Shawnees as the “greatest travelers,” and it is not a description without merit. Yet even a quick glance at the journeys and migrations of Delaware individuals and communities west of the Mississippi River in the mid-nineteenth century indicates that the Delawares of that era may challenge for that title. In the midst of relocations and removals that are more established in the historical narrative, the stories of widespread Delaware movement casts light on a more expansive history. Delaware traders on the Santa Fe Trail and Delaware scouts on military expeditions with the Pathfinder, John C. Fremont serve as only two examples of a larger picture. In this paper I examine the notion that before the border towns of western Missouri became a jumping off point for Americans heading west, the region was already a starting point for the many trails Delaware Indians traveled west of the Mississippi River.
One Step in a Long Journey: Integrating Delaware Town Archaeology into a History of the Lenape People
The journey of the Delawares near Delaware Town in the early 1800s was a short episode in a much longer story spanning many thousands of years. This paper describes an ongoing project aimed at enabling modern Delaware descendents to understand and disseminate their own history. Efforts are described to place the archaeological evidence for Delaware Town into a context that also incorporates language revitalization, stories and knowledge passed from tribal elders, historical research, NAGPRA-funded repatriations, and electronic digitization and analysis of allotment maps and other cartographic resources.
“I [Have] You All By the Hand”: Practical Politics of Identity at Delaware Town 23CN1
Long recognized as the “Grandfathers” of other Eastern Algonquian groups, the Delawares held a special status among other indigenous groups and colonial governments in the East. However, upon crossing the Mississippi River, the main body of the Delawares found themselves under new administration that did not recognize this status and preferred the business of Osage rivals. This paper, as part of my dissertation, examines both documentary and archaeological resources to illustrate key ways that tribal leaders negotiated and exerted their collective identities as Delawares to affect political, economic, and social outcomes of their choosing.
“What’s for Supper?” Plant and Animal Remains from the Delaware Town Site
The assortment of plant and animal remains in 12 flotation samples from excavated features at the Delaware Town site (23CN1) are described. In particular, the fill of Feature 2, a sub-floor pit associated with a residential structure (Feature 3), perhaps even the home of Chief Anderson, contained a considerable amount of charred plant and animal remains, as well as a great array of artifacts diagnostic of a Delaware occupation. The contents of the samples indicate a diverse subsistence strategy that included crop cultivation and animal husbandry, as well as gathering, hunting, and fishing. This subsistence strategy is consistent with a traditional mixed economy dominated by horticulture and hunting, although perhaps some crops and domesticated animals may have been purchased from traders and other Euro-Americans living nearby in southwest Missouri. The analysis also reveals a conspicuous absence of Old World domesticates such as peach, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.
“A Nation of People”
This paper will explore mid-nineteenth century Kansas and Texas Delawares’ expression of cultural/ethnic unity. Within this expression of ethnic identity the Delawares included and shared with other tribal nations. This shared sense of ethnic identity played a role in the Kansas Delawares final 1866-67 Removal to the Cherokee Nation. Kansas Delawares did not conceive of the Texas Delawares as a separate nation or separate identity. To the contrary they saw themselves as originating from the same ethnic Delaware whole. Both groups even shared some of their same leaders and a number of members travelled back and forth regularly.
From the time of Delaware leader William Anderson, Kik Tha We Nund, one can see the top priorities for their removal to Kansas in 1831, was to induce the federal government to provide the Delaware Nation a good reservation in Kansas where he thought the Delawares could draw in splinter groups from the rest of the country and Mexico. In addition, Kik Tha We Nund sought to revitalize Delawares’ traditions. Thirty-five years later, to physically reunite with their brothers and sisters who were living in Texas, the Delawares sought to include the Texas Delawares in their November 1866 Agreement with the Cherokee Nation for their final reservation in Indian Territory.
Upon removal to Indian Territory in 1867, the Kansas Delawares were unable to secure the reservation that they thought they had gained. In part, the federal government’s goal of destroying Native American cultures included the separation of the Delawares.
“When we lived back east”: Contemporary views on Delaware Removal and Settlement on the American Frontier
The Delaware Tribe is the descendant political organization of the Munsee and Unami speakers that coalesced with other eastern Algonquin and Woodland peoples to form the main body of Delaware by the late 18th century. An overview of this coalescence, dispersal and eventual removal to Southern Missouri and finally eastern Oklahoma is provided to help introduce the session and the Delaware experience. Particular emphasis is placed on viewing this removal experience from the perspective of contemporary tribal members.
Delaware along the James: A Decade of Ethnohistorical Archaeology in Southwest Missouri
As a result of the Treaty of St. Mary’s (1818), the main body of the Delaware migrated from the White River valley of Indiana to the James River valley of southwest Missouri. Led by Captain William Anderson, they made the region their home, settling along the banks and terraces of the river and its tributaries from about 1821 to 1830. Information gleaned from ethnohistoric and historic sources has inspired, guided, and at times complicated the archaeological study of Delaware Indian occupation in the region. In this paper, I review the recent history and challenges of problem-oriented Delaware research in southwest Missouri, synthesize what complementary documentary and archaeological data have told us about the group’s Removal period occupation, and suggest areas for future investigation.
Delaware War Mothers Reorganizing
It is with great pleasure to announce the reorganization of the Delaware War Mothers. This great organization consists of Grandmothers, Mothers, Daughters, Granddaughters, Sisters and Aunts who represent all Veterans. Our mission is to represent and honor our military relatives as well as visiting veterans who are shut-ins at their own home or a resident of a nursing home. Some past activities with veterans were helping them open their Christmas gifts at the Claremore Veterans Hospital, visiting with them so they see new faces, and sent phone cards overseas to active duty service men and women. Other past activities were wearing the club robes during grand entry at various powwows and participating in local parades. Do you have ideas to help honor these fine people who have fought for our country and freedom? Then please consider joining the Delaware War Mothers. If you are a female Native American and would be interested in joining please attend one of the meetings that are scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm in the dining hall at the Delaware Community Center. If you would like more information please contact Bess Marler at 918-440-1955, Evelyn Kay Anderson at 918-397-5116 or email the club at delawarewarmothers@yahoo.com. The club would like to be active by January 1, 2013 so we can kick off the year fresh and be ready to assist our veterans.
Delaware Days 2012
Friday/Saturday, Sept 28–29
Delaware Days 2012 will be held at the Fall-Leaf Dance Grounds northeast of Copan, Oklahoma, on September 28 and 29. It will be the 20th Annual Delaware Days sponsored by the Delaware Culture Preservation Committee. The first Delaware Day was held in September 1993 and was attended by more than 250 people.
The events will begin on Friday evening with a potluck dinner at 6:30 and then a Stomp Dance with Social Dance songs. In the late afternoon on Saturday there will be presentations to two tribal members—the elder of the year, and the honored veteran. On Saturday at 5:30 there will be a potluck supper at which the Culture Committee will supply the meat. Everyone else should bring some food to share. Then there will be a Stomp Dance with Social Dance songs, and we will dance as long as everyone wants. Please join us!!
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FEMA Trailers Soon to be Available
Late-Breaking News!
The Tribe has been awarded 10 FEMA trailers. The trailers are single-wide, 3 bedroom, 14 feet wide, 64 feet long (back to tongue), 5 axle and approximately 50,000 lbs.
For now, interested tribal members may complete a Housing Application and write FEMA Trailers at the top. Please contact one of our housing offices for more information or to request an application (Chelsea Office, phone 918-789-2525; Bartlesville Office, phone 918-337-6590; Caney, KS Office, phone 620-879-2189). You may also check the Tribe’s web site at www.delawaretribe.org; there may be a special application form in the future.
The tribal member who obtains the trailer is responsible for land, utilities, and moving costs, although assistance for utilities and moving costs may be available.
The Tribe will also contract to move the trailers. Mobile homes awarded to the Delaware tribe will most likely be transported from one of three locations: Selma, Alabama; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; or Neosha, Missouri. Pickup date and location is unknown at this time. If you are interested in bidding to move one or more trailers, please contact Cece Biggoose at 918-337-6572 or at cbiggoose@delawaretribe.org.
Report on Copan Powwow 2012
by Bruce Martin
was asked to write a little about the Copan Pow-wow this year, so from my perspective here goes. Thursday is the day lots of the Delawares show up and set up camp. A big dinner was held at the Bucky Buck, Bonnie Thaxton camp. A lot of good food and a lot of good people gathered around to eat, talk, and tell stories. Thursday evening was a time for the old social dances and stomp dancing, held in the evening. The weather was nice, the songs were nice, and it was a very good evening.
Copan is famous for rain at some point in time during the pow-wow, but not this year. I think it was the dustiest year we have had in a long time, and windy, but actually wasn’t too hot.
Copan used to be known as the start of the Pow-wow season, and it seemed like this year everyone was excited about coming to Copan.
I had the honor to help out as the Arena Director for Friday evening while Dude Blalock went to his daughter’s graduation and I really enjoyed watching the youth dance and contest. It made me feel good to see a lot of good young dancers up and coming, and seeing them continue on this tradition. The singing is always great at Copan and this year was no exception. I enjoy all the chorus girls that come and help out as well, it just makes the drum sound as “they say” that much more better.
Saturday afternoon was the famous Indian Football Game. It looked as if the men were cruising to an easy victory. So I went back to camp and visited with others. I heard that something crazy had happened and the women ended up winning the game. I will have to go back and look over the tapes and see what happened.
Saturday evening is usually a bigger crowd, and was good to see some old friends there, people came from all over the country to attend this event, Bartlesville, Dewey, Pawhuska, and actually I met a lady from Montana that was there dancing in her Crow Dress. Also friends from the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas were there, and even some of my old Upward Bound Students and staff were there. Good to see everyone again.
Guess I couldn’t talk about Copan without mentioning the Dog Pound. We took up the Old Skool Fancy Dance Contest again. But I have to give tribal member Mike Gabbard credit for us doing this again. He contacted me on Facebook and asked if we were going to have the Old Skool contest, that a lot of people he has talked with really liked it and enjoyed it, so I got with all the guys and we agreed to do it again. We held a camp 50/50, and Rob, Jay, Jimmie, and myself went camp to camp selling 50/50 tickets to raise money for our contest. We also auctioned off a few blankets, and we did pretty good thanks to all of the campers and visitors. There were around 10 dancers entered into this contest, but the one who stood out to us was Vincent Jackson. Well, in my opinion!… He was there Friday night, and danced all night. He did such a good job in the contest and all weekend, that the Committee selected him as the head man dancer for next year.
Sunday was the men’s contest. Its always a lot of good dancers in all categories. I always enjoy watching the contests, but I really like to just watch the Intertribal’s and everyone dancing together. Listening to the songs, and
just relaxing to the sounds of the dancers’ bells, jingles, and laughter while dancing in the arena. I think that is more of what Copan Pow-wow is about, the friendship, and families getting together, all the visiting and joking and teasing each other. That is what I enjoy the most.
This year the Pow-wow committee selected three new members to be on the committee for next year, I was very surprised they asked me to join them. Jimmie Johnson and Turtle KillsCrow were the other two they invited. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of mischief I can get into now. But I know the three of us will do our best in joining with the rest of the committee to make next years pow-wow as much fun and enjoyable of an experience for everyone as this year’s.
Wanishi.
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| Traditional dancer Eric Hicks (Creek, Crow, Onondaga). | Unidentified Crow woman dancer from Montana |
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| Fancy Dancer Vincent Jackson, Delaware | Jake Lawhead |
Dirty Bandanas: Repairs to Powwow Bleachers
The Delaware Tribe of Indians Cultural Preservation Committee (CPC) took on a project several years ago to restore the Delaware Pow Wow Grounds bleachers.
Over the years, the CPC has paid for repairs, and volunteers have replaced boards and painted. This year, the CPC assessed the bleachers and decided funds could be utilized to give a new coat of paint to the bleachers.
The CPC enlisted the help of a local volunteer organization called “The Dirty Bandanas.” The Dirty Bandanas helped paint all of the bleachers. The CPC also purchased some wood and the Dirty Bandanas constructed and painted several new arena benches.
The Dirty Bandanas is a Native American-based motorcycle club. They come from many tribes. The club’s intention is to create a positive and wholesome atmosphere for the Native American community, their members, their families, and the state and its communities. The club’s goal is to always promote a positive image for all Native American people.
The Dirty Bandanas offer manpower and service at no charge to any event or charitable cause that will benefit the Native American community and people of all tribes. However, they are not confined to or limited to only Tribal events. Any event will be considered and all efforts will be made to participate.
The Dirty Bandanas also enjoy recreational riding activities. They encourage anyone and everyone to join them for a short ride around the community, a day trip, or even, on occasion, a weekend trip.
We want to say WANISHI to the Dirty Bandanas for their service to the community, tribal and intertribal functions!!
Oklahoma Indian Summer
Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival, northeast Oklahoma’s premier Native American festival, is currently looking for artists and vendors for the 2012 festival, scheduled Thursday-Saturday, September 20-22, 2012 at the Bartlesville Community Center located at the corner of Cherokee Ave. and Adams Blvd. in Bartlesville, OK.
Oklahoma Indian Summer, the state’s largest intertribal event and cultural exchange, features a pow wow with both competitive and non-competitive dancing on Friday and Saturday and a juried Native American and Western Art Show and Market, showcasing the talents of more than 30 artists. Additionally 20-30 arts and craft vendors are also asked to join the event outside, making for a unique and dynamic festival.
According to Festival Director Jenifer Pechonick, over 14,000 visitors from across the state and beyond take part in Oklahoma Indian Summer annually.
“In 2000 the Oklahoma Tourism Industry Association selected the festival as the Outstanding Event of the year” she says, noting the 2011 Indian Summer Festival was also a contender for “Outstanding Event” Redbud award from Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation.
She says vendors typically feature arts, crafts, games and decorations which reflect the Native American theme of the festival, and notes interested parties do not have to have a CDIB card.
Pechonick says as usual arts and crafts vendors will play a very important part of the festival experience.
“We are looking for some unique vendors to join us in making this year’s event the best yet” she said.
“We’re happy many of our artists and craft vendors return year after year, but we have space available.” The deadline for vendor and concession submittals is July 15th. The fee covers all three days of the festival and includes electricity.
“We have visitors come from all over Oklahoma and the surrounding states to enjoy the fest,” she said.
“We’d invite everyone to come be a part of Oklahoma Indian Summer.” Applications may be obtained on the festival’s website and should be sent to: Oklahoma Indian Summer Festival, P.O. Box 3455, Bartlesville, OK 74006.
For Further Information. Interested teachers, artists, concessionaires and vendors should contact Jenifer Pechonick, festival director, at (918) 331-0934 or e-mail jeniferp917@aol.com.
Web Site: www.okindiansummer.org
Osage Ten Returns to Pawhuska
Pawhuska, Okla. – The Osage Tribal Museum, Library & Archives, the oldest tribally-owned museum in the country, commemorated the unveiling of the final Osage bust of THE OSAGE TEN on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Constantine Theatre in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The creation of The Osage Ten began over 100 years ago in Pawhuska when molds and pictures were made of ten live models from the Osage Tribe and cast into full-size plaster busts by Smithsonian Institution’s Department of Natural History. The Smithsonian created this collection to be displayed at the California-Panama Canal Exposition in 1915-16 as part of “The Evolution of Man” exhibit. Millions of people from around the world attended the historical event.
During the past seven years, the Osage Tribal Museum has been collaborating with the Smithsonian in obtaining replicas of The Osage Ten to be permanently displayed at the museum. This exhibit collection brings to life again the Osage tribal members and, in a sense, brings them home to be honored and remembered of an era long ago.
Descendants of Albert Penn, the first replica bust to be unveiled in 2005, retrieved and donated their ancestors bust to the Osage Tribal Museum. The other busts that have been donated in the past six years are: Shun-kah-mo-lah (Charles McDougan), Wah-To-Ke-Ah (WilliamFletcher), Henry Pratt, Ah-Hu-Shin-Kah (Little Wing), Che-Sho-Wah-Ke-Pah (Fidelis Cole), Wa-Xthi-Zhi (Charles Wah-Hre-She), and Wah-Noh-She-Shin-Ki (Principal Chief Fred Lookout). The guardians who escorted the busts out were Joseph Tillman (Wah-hrah-lum-pah); Tim Lookout (Fred Lookout); Rebekah HorseChief (Charles Wah-hre-she); Fidelis Davis (Fidelis Cole); John Tallchief Lemon (Little Wing); Bill Fletcher (William Fletcher); Cameron Pratt (Henry Pratt); Mike McDougan (Charles McDougan); Joseph Pratt (Shun-kah-mo-lah), and Joe Don Brave (Albert Penn).
Among the distinguished guests were former Osage Principal Chief George Tallchief; former Osage Principal Chief Charles Tillman; former Osage Principal Chief James Gray; renowned Osage poet Carter Revard, Ph.D., who created a poem, especially for this occasion; David Hunt, Ph.D., of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; and representatives from many American Indian tribes and nations, including Chief Pechonick.
Judge’s Corner: Report from Tribal Judge Charles Randall
Reactivating our judicial system is a major goal of Chief Pechonick and the Council. It is essential that we have a formal functioning court system to ensure the health and welfare of our people, exercise commercial relationship and contracts with nonmembers, and qualify for various grants and programs. Our court system has not been a functioning body since we regained Federal Recognition.
To accomplish this goal, Judges Rick Barnes, Don Mason Jr., and Charles Randall have been working to prepare the building blocks to get our court system back in operation.
In August 2011, our team was awarded travel scholarships from the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes to attend the “Fostering Connections Tribal Gathering” in Oklahoma City. This addressed the problems, goals, action items, strategies, activities, and objectives associated with child welfare. Large numbers of Native Children have been placed in DHS Foster Care that would be better served with a Tribal Child Welfare Practice. The Judicial Guide to implementing the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 provides many Native American children important federal protection and support for the first time by allowing Tribes to directly administer their local programs.
In April 2012, we attended the Tribal Court Training Program for Judges funded by the BIA Office of Justice at the University of New Mexico School of Law Southwest Indian Law Clinic. This course covered all aspects of conducting a court from initiation of a case through resolution. Introduction to Indian Civil Rights Act, the Major Crimes Act, and the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 were covered with concepts of jurisdiction. We were able to participate in exercises to simulate various courtroom activities with seasoned judges (all of the other participants in the program had five to twenty-five years experience as tribal judges).
On June 12-13 we attended the Sovereignty Symposium in Oklahoma City sponsored by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma City University School of Law, University of Tulsa College of Law, and the University of Oklahoma College of Law. There we focused on the court’s desire to computerize all state records into a new system which the Supreme Court plans to expand to include tribal courts, the components of the Indian Law and Order Act, the use and impact of social media in the Native American community, the issues associated with Indian trust land acquisitions, and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). ICWA remains a huge Indian issue. No Indian tribe or nation is immune from the problems surrounding child neglect and eventual adjudication. Indian children do end up in a system that is at times overwhelmed. Many of these children are victimized a second time by a system with many flaws. There is a consistent link between neglected children and those minors who end up in the juvenile criminal system. Indian children are much more likely to fall into this category and ICWA can be a tool to help us do something about this problem.
Indian Governments are sovereign and on equal footing with state governments. Sovereignty is important and all Indians should stand together, as a united front, to assert our right to govern ourselves. There remains a lot of work to get our judicial system where it needs to be. Currently we are identifying how and where to establish our court. We are also planning to review our current laws and codes and make recommendations necessary to bring these up to standards that will both meet the needs of our tribe and conform to Federal laws.
D5 Creation