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.
The Shawnee Tribe is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Marina Staubus, whose artwork Whispers in the Wind earned First Place in the Painting category at the 2026 55th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Marina, a Shawnee Tribe citizen, continues a family tradition of service and dedication to the Tribe as the daughter of Mike Staubus, […]
A traditional bow-making workshop recently brought together Shawnee youth and cultural instructors to share knowledge, skills, and values that have been passed down through generations. The opportunity began when a request was made to teach Shawnee relatives the traditional craft of bow making. Having previously shared these skills with Muscogee participants, the instructors were honored […]
By David Pollack, A. Gwynn Henderson, and Edward R. Henry A people’s relationship to their homeland is dynamic. How they alter the landscape reflects their sense of place, their social relationships, and their connections to their ancestors. This is as true now as it was in the past. The North Elkhorn Creek Earthworks Around 500 […]
The Hidden Cost of Four Everyday Products When we buy a product, we usually see only the price on the shelf. What we don’t see is the environmental cost of making it. For example, it takes about 2,700 liters (713 gallons) of water to produce a single cotton T-shirt—about the same amount one person drinks […]
Mark McDowell, Treasurer and Keni Hood, Business Council Seat 7 have filed seeking re-election to their respective offices. The filing period for candidates has passed, with no additional candidates declaring their intention to run for office. Therefore, in accordance with Title 6, Sec. 6.20.080 of the Shawnee Election Act, both unopposed candidates are hereby deemed […]
YOUR CAN COULD BE BACK ON THE SHELF IN JUST 60 DAYS! You enjoy your beverage and recycle your aluminum can. Recycling trucks collect the cans and take them to a facility to be sorted. The cans are cleaned and shredded into small pieces. The aluminum pieces are melted down and rolled into large sheets. […]
The Shawnee Tribe’s Environmental Department recently hosted a hands-on learning experience focused on water systems, runoff, and watershed education in the Miami community. During the event, students participated in the installation of a rain barrel system while learning how rainfall moves through local watersheds and contributes to flooding.
WEEMEYAKWE (WHERE WE COME FROM) By A. Gwynn Henderson and David Pollack “Two heads are better than one,” the old saying goes. With twice the brainpower and two times the life experiences to draw from, we are twice as likely to solve a puzzle, make sense of an enigma, or figure out a mystery. The […]