In early July, a group of students from Miami University, distinguished by their heritage as Myaamia citizens, found themselves at the center of cultural convergence in Washington, D.C., during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Unlike any other venture they had embarked upon, the festival was a chance for these students to showcase Myaamia cultural practices in a vibrant tableau, celebrating living traditions alongside only three other tribal nations that were extended an invite this year.
Mia Hankenson, a fresh Miami University graduate now eyeing accelerated nursing programs, couldn't help but gush about the festival's one-of-a-kind aura. "The energy, the people, and the cultural richness created an atmosphere unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of," she told Miami University. Hankenson, who specialized in Kinesiology, recounted her joy in forming connections with diverse groups at the festival, including those from Hawaiian, Alutiiq Alaskan, and Mohawk communities.
The Myaamia Center, tied to the roots of Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, played a central role in the festival, paving the way for the students to enlighten attendees about Myaamia traditions. Participants shared their savoir-faire in lacrosse, the Myaamia language, ribbonwork, and gardening, relishing the opportunity to showcase and exchange their rich heritage with others.
Pimyotamah Hartleroad, destined to graduate next year with a major in Anthropology and a minor in both Spanish and Linguistics, specifically found joy amidst the communal spirit of language revitalization. "I thoroughly enjoyed spending time amongst the other groups in language revitalization because we share so much of the same passions," Hartleroad related in an interview, as quoted by Miami University. Playing peekitahaminki 'myaamia lacrosse' on the National Mall brought a unique flavor to the educational mix, with Hartleroad cherishing a moment where language revitalization groups united for a game strengthening communal ties.
As the Smithsonian Folklife Festival winds down, these Myaamia students return home with more than just personal stories of cultural pride and interconnectedness. They carry with them a strengthened resolve to continue the vital work of preserving and reviving the living traditions that define their community.
