INTRODUCING THE EMMA "MOCK" DONALDSON SAAWANWAATOWEEWIKA

Oct 31, 2024

INTRODUCING THE EMMA “MOCK” DONALDSON SAAWANWAATOWEEWIKA

On Friday, September 20, tribal citizens and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Shawnee Tribe’s newest facility and cultural resource—the Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika (Shawnee language house). A little more than ten minutes east of central Miami, OK, the facility boasts a large, open gathering space with high ceilings and a kitchenette, plenty of gravel lot parking and approximately eight acres of land for the Shawnee Language Immersion Program’s future use. Off the back patio of the main building, the program is already working on what will eventually become a state-of-the-art audio recording studio.

The new facility is named for the late Ms. Emma “Mock” Donaldson (1921-2021). Mock was born in White Oak, OK and grew up in the area before eventually moving to raise her family in Sioux Falls, SD. She loved gardening, fishing, bowling and sewing, and she was one of the last remaining first-language speakers and among the oldest living Shawnees at the time of her passing. Two of Mock’s children and many of her extended family members were in attendance at the ribbon cutting, where Chief Ben Barnes spoke about the language warriors, including Mock, who laid the foundations for what the Shawnee Language Immersion Program is now able to accomplish. Other honorary guests included the family of Troy Little Axe, Sr., representatives from Firaxis Games, who’ve recently worked with the tribe’s language program on their in-game portrayal of historical leader Tecumseh in the forthcoming seventh edition of Sid Meier’s Civilization video game franchise, and George “Fife” Blanchard, who works for the tribe as their first-language specialist. The ceremony’s remarks concluded with heartfelt speeches from Mock’s daughters, Diann Burrier and Audrey Holzworth.

The Shawnee Language Immersion Program team is looking forward to their future in the new facility named for such a remarkable Shawnee woman. While the facility is not generally open to the public during tribal business hours, Shawnee citizens and local community members should watch for upcoming events at the saanwanwaatoweewika, like the Winter Stories Gathering on Friday, December 7.

Back

Jan 17, 2025

CHIEF BENJAMIN BARNES COMMENDS FEDERAL ADVANCEMENTS IN STRENGTHENING THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ('UNDRIP')

MIAMI, OK — Chief Benjamin Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe is commending recent federal efforts to advance the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Adopted in 2007, UNDRIP outlines the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide, and the United States joined 192 other United Nations member states in 2014 in committing to […]

Jan 2, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: PLASTICS BY THE NUMBERS

Check out recycling plastics by their numbers from the tribe’s Environmental Resources Department!

Jan 2, 2025

BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BRINGS AWEARENESS TO STALKING

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted, and intrusive behavior aimed at controlling or intimidating another person. It can involve a range of actions, from following the victim in person or online to sending excessive texts, emails, or gifts. Stalking is often driven by a desire for power or control and can occur between people […]

More News

Jan 17, 2025

CHIEF BENJAMIN BARNES COMMENDS FEDERAL ADVANCEMENTS IN STRENGTHENING THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ('UNDRIP')

Jan 2, 2025

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: PLASTICS BY THE NUMBERS

Check out recycling plastics by their numbers from the tribe’s Environmental Resources Department!

Jan 2, 2025

BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BRINGS AWEARENESS TO STALKING

Dec 19, 2024

SHAWNEE TRIBE TAG OFFICE NOW AN AUTHORIZED PIKEPASS AGENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MIAMI, OK—The Shawnee Tribe Tag Office is now an authorized PIKEPASS agent. The most cost-effective way to travel Oklahoma’s turnpikes, PIKEPASS can also be used on toll roads in Texas and Kansas, as well as certain toll roads in Florida and Colorado. Since 2021, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has been migrating […]

Dec 5, 2024

RECYCLING SPOTLIGHT: ALUMINUM

Check out these fun facts about recycling aluminum from the tribe’s Environmental Resources Department!

Dec 5, 2024

BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BRINGS AWARENESS TO SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, typically during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter, occasionally referred to as the “winter blues”. It’s believed to be triggered by changes in sunlight exposure, which can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms, including the […]

Dec 5, 2024

SHAWNEE TRIBE'S GAMING COMMISSION RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

Guymon, OK — On Thursday, November 7, Shawnee Tribe elected officials, gaming commissioners, and project managers of Global Gaming Solutions gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Shawnee Gaming Commission’s new administrative building. The move was prompted by the recent growth and specialized needs of the Gaming Commission office. Also in attendance were Guymon Ambassadors […]

Nov 12, 2024

THE POWER OF OPPORTUNITY: CITIZEN SERVICES IN ACTION

ONE CITIZEN’S JOURNEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP Shawnee tribal citizen Michael Cedrone lives in Texas, where he works as Head of Human Resources at GBC Food Services. Cedrone attributes his success to the tribe’s educational, career and housing support programs. His professional journey began at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, TX, […]

See All News