Aacimotaatiiyankwi

The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma held its Annual General Council Meeting on Saturday, June 27, in noošonke siipionki ‘Miami, OK’ to hold elections and share important updates with Tribal citizens. This year, one seat on the Business Committee and one seat on the Grievance Committee were up for election. 

Election Results and General Council Meeting Recap

Elections began at 9:26 a.m., with 171 voting citizens present. Aacimwa ‘Secretary-Treasurer’ Donya Williams was re-elected to her position as Secretary-Treasurer, a 3-year term, uncontested. Additionally, Doug Peconge, who also serves as the Kiihkayonki Projects Manager, was elected to serve on the Grievance Committee. 

Elections were also held for the Tribal Ambassador and Jr. Tribal Ambassador, positions for young female leaders to represent the community at public events. Abigail Pollock was elected as the Tribal Ambassador, and Aaliyah Ramsey was elected as the Jr. Tribal Ambassador. Both Abigail and Aaliyah are long-time participants in the Eemamwiciki Summer Youth Programs: Saakaciweeta and Eewansaapita. 

Before elections began, the meeting opened with a prayer, the Myaamia community song, and a round dance, followed by honoring Myaamia Elders, veterans, and the youngest Myaamia person at the meeting. This year, five people received their elder blankets, and at only five weeks of age, Tyler Olds was the youngest Myaamia child present. 

Several community leaders also shared important updates during the meeting, including Akima ‘Chief’ Douglas Lankford’s State of the Nation Address and Aacimwa ‘Secretary-Treasurer’ Donya Williams’s presentation of the financial report. Daryl Baldwin shared updates on the Myaamia Center at Miami University, and Lance Theobald, Myaamia citizen and CEO of Miami Nation Enterprises, shared updates on the Tribe’s businesses. 

Throughout the meeting, members of the Business Committee raffled off door prizes to the crowd. Lucky winners left the meeting with Myaamia lacrosse sticks, wool blankets, gift cards to the Prairie Sky market, and other exciting prizes.

Following the meeting, community members gathered at the Myaamia National Archives building to view historical artifacts related to Mihšihkinaahkwa ‘Chief Little Turtle.’ Highlights on display included the 1795 Peace Medal, which the Tribe acquired last year.

The day concluded with the Miami Nation’s Annual Pow Wow and a new addition this year: community stomp and social dances. 

Annual Gathering Week:

Tuesday, June 23 – Friday, June 26 

While the General Council Meeting takes place on Saturday, events are held throughout the week for citizens and their relatives to spend time together and celebrate Myaamia culture. 

Starting on Tuesday, June 23, Myaamia community members gathered at the Myaamia Makerspace in the Ethel Miller Moore Longhouse for an afternoon of crafting together. Supplies were provided to work on ribbon skirts, bone-bead necklaces, beading, wampum, and more! On Wednesday, about 25 people gathered to learn beadworking and craft a small project with Meghan Dorey, curator of the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive. 

While many events had to be moved indoors due to weather, Family Day was still hosted on Thursday, June 25, in the Prairie Sun Event Center. Myaamiaki ‘Myaamia people’ were invited to spend the rainy afternoon playing arcade games, Myaamia games like mahkisina ‘moccasin game’ and seenseewinki ‘bowl game’, and enjoying a meal together.   

Rainy conditions cancelled the community lacrosse game on Friday, so instead Myaamia people gathered for a spirited Myaamia trivia competition before lunch and cultural education presentations. Sophie Olds and Scott Shoemaker presented on Pow Wow etiquette before breaking into groups to practice stomp dancing. 

Friday evening, community members gathered back at the Prairie Sun Event Center for dinner and stomp dancing before everyone went home to rest for Saturday’s events. 

While voting for leadership is a crucial part of exercising tribal sovereignty, participating in Myaamia cultural activities and deepening knowledge continues to strengthen bonds within the community. This annual week of events would not be possible without the support of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma’s leadership, the hard work of employees and staff, and the support of tribal members, the local community, and guests. 

Looking forward, Myaamia families should keep an eye on miamination.com/all-events for more opportunities to gather, learn, and create together, like the Winter Gathering in January 2027. 

Credits:

Featured photo by Jonathan Fox, Myaamia Center.