The Two Miamis

Celebrating 50 years

By Miami University

November 16^th, 2022

When Chief Forest Olds of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma made an unplanned visit to Miami University in 1972, it set in motion a relationship between the two Miamis that continues to thrive today.

Representatives from both the Tribe and the university took part in an emotional commemoration of the partnership on Wednesday, Nov. 9, during the “The Two Miamis: 50th Anniversary Celebration” at Millett Hall.

Miami University President Gregory Crawford and Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Chief Douglas Lankford listen to Myaamia Center staff Jarrid Baldwin, George Ironstrack, Kara Strass, Tina Fox, and Haley Shea perform a Myaamia welcome song.

neepwaantiinki,“learning from each other”

Several individuals began laying the groundwork for a relationship after Chief Olds' visit. This was set against a historical backdrop of the Tribe's two forced removals from their homelands, first to Kansas in 1846 and eventually to Oklahoma in the 1870s. Federal policies in the decades that followed "were designed to force assimilation and eradicate our language and culture. By the mid-20th century, we had lost our last language speakers," Myaamia Center Executive Director Daryl Baldwin said, adding that, as a child, he struggled to connect to his Myaamia identity.

With no national models at other universities to look at, the Tribe and university developed something that worked for this unique situation. "It took a while, but eventually a space was cleared, resulting in more formal engagement around a shared interest to learn from each other," Baldwin said.

Since 1991, the Myaamia Heritage Program has provided a tuition waiver to Miami Tribe students enrolled at the Oxford campus. The students also receive additional coursework relative to their heritage.

Daryl Baldwin, executive director for the Myaamia Center, said, "This is what tapaalintioni nahiteehioni ‘love and honor’ produces when we commit our institutions to help us achieve a common purpose of learning from each other."

A flickering flame grows into a "warm vibrant fire"

Miami President Gregory Crawford said this unique relationship has "inspired change and grown deeper because of our shared vision and action."

Chief Douglas Lankford told the audience he was standing there because a Myaamia leader chose to visit Miami University 50 years ago. "I often wonder if he realized his visit would kindle a fire. At first, a small flickering flame, yet one that would grow over the decades to a warm, vibrant fire that is the relationship we are drawn and mutually committed to caring for today," he said.

The Myaamia Center — the research arm of the Tribe located on Miami's Oxford campus — has been leading groundbreaking work in language and cultural revitalization for the past 20 years.

Today, 106 Miami Tribe students are Miami University graduates

So many aspects of the Tribe's return to vitality are directly traceable to this partnership, Chief Lankford said. "Consider that 50 years ago, we had no language speakers, and today we have a flourishing language revitalization effort with citizens of all ages, especially our youth, now capable of speaking and communicating in their language. Your commitment has helped send 106 Myaamia people into the world as graduates of Miami University."

Gifts offer a nod to the future and the past

President Crawford and Chief Lankford exchanged gifts — a statue of Chief Olds and then-Miami President Phillip Shriver from the Tribe, and a planned amphitheater and the naming of a room in MacMillan Hall in honor of the Tribe from the university.

Miami students and K-12 students learn from this unique relationship

Below, local students visit the Miami University Art Museum's sculpture park and learn about "A Tribe Named Miami, A Surveyor's Stake, A Town Named Oxford" installed in 2008. The cast bronze statue is by Miami Tribe of Oklahoma citizen Eugene Brown.

Students tap into creative spirit at the Makerspace

A celebration of student creativity

The Miami University Art Museum hosted a Celebration of Student Creativity Reception and Awards Ceremony. Student participants in the Student Response Exhibit (SRE) “Interconnected: Land, Identity, Community” were recognized. This eighth SRE, open to all Miami University students, connected students with the complex theme of sovereignty. It was developed in collaboration with the Myaamia Center to reflect on sovereignty, including the inherent and retained political rights and cultural integrity.

Continuing to learn from each other

Athletic uniforms reflect special relationship with the Tribe

The new football uniforms were unveiled before the Battle of the Bricks game against Ohio University.

Below left, 44 Miami Tribe students enrolled on campus are introduced on the Yager Stadium field during a break in the Miami-OU football game. Right, a Tribe student demonstrates taking a lacrosse shot at a net.

Below left, Miami quarterback Brett Gabbert — sporting the new uniform — awaits the coin toss before the game. Right photo, Miami students cheer on the RedHawks.

The Miami women's basketball team runs onto the court before their game, crossing over the Myaamia Heritage Logo that represents the warm relationship between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University.