Aacimotaatiiyankwi

At the 2026 Myaamiaki Conference, Kayla Becker and I (Kristina) will be presenting on Šaapohkaayoni: A Myaamia Education Portal. This project became publicly available in 2023 and has continued to grow over the last several years. 

The most obvious change since our last post about Šaapohkaayoni is a new look! With the help of Megan Sekulich, we have a logo and coordinating colors to make the space feel more Myaamia. This includes a custom ribbonwork-inspired design at the bottom of the page, dashboard menu background, and new page background images, to name a few things.

In addition to the search engine on the homepage, visitors can also check out a digital version of Myaamia Kiilhswaakani ‘the Myaamia lunar calendar.’ Each calendar month is displayed similarly to the printed calendar, with the addition of month icons courtesy of Miami University’s Communication and Marketing Department. Users can also click on calendar events to display more information, including date, location, and notes.

After logging in, users now have access to a resource search! The Search Learning Resources bar now appears at the top of the user dashboard after logging in. This allows you to search resources across each enrolled collection (formerly known as courses). Can’t remember where to find the stomp skirt sewing instructions? No problem! You can search by typing in the search bar on the right or by clicking the dropdown menu to narrow down the topic.

The user profile now defaults to being minimized below the resources search. Clicking on “My Profile” will expand the profile where users can edit their profile image, personal information, add children, and, for the Myaamia community only, access the Back to School Funds application.

Below the user profile, users will see all of the collections they have access to. Users can now also star collections to bump them to the top of their collection list. To view all available collections and request access, users can use the “Manage Collections” link in the left-hand menu.

Since our last post, we’ve increased the number of available collections and reorganized some familiar ones as well. All Miami Tribe of Oklahoma families are automatically added to a collection called “Community Resources,” where we add newly created resources, such as the stomp skirt instructions mentioned above, and exclusive art. This collection is also used to communicate important announcements, such as the launch of Summer Program applications. 

Families also access collections focused on specific cultural knowledge. The newest collection launching after the Myaamiaki Conference is nahi miiciona nahi weehsininki: Proper Foods, Proper Diet. The recipes that Haley discussed in her recent post will be housed in this collection on Šaapohkaayoni.

As we continue to add users and receive feedback, we are continually looking at what to add next. We have two new features currently in development: a learning management system (LMS) and a progressive web app (PWA) of Šaapohkaayoni. The LMS will allow us to create topic-specific courses, allowing learners to connect with each other and the instructor. We are hoping to move our online summer programs to the LMS as well as develop new interactive courses, such as “One Year in History: 1750” taught by Cam Shriver.

The PWA will allow users to access their collections and resources on their mobile devices. It is currently being tested and not ready for public release. However, it will function similarly to our other apps, like the Myaamia online dictionary. Users will need to sign up for an account on  Šaapohkaayoni prior to using the app. 

Speaking of creating an account, please allow up to a week for your account request to be reviewed. A staff member manually reviews each request and works with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s Enrollment Office (or other appropriate contact persons) to confirm identity. Our programming team and staff work together to keep all user and cultural information as safe as possible.

We are excited to share a closer look at Šaapohkaayoni during the Myaamiaki Conference!

If you have questions about Šaapohkaayoni, please reach out to me at Markskm@MiamiOH.edu.