Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archive

02/18/2026

FamilySearch affiliate Library

02/05/2026

This was a fun & unexpected project to be part of last weekend! Looking forward to showing off this unique piece from talented artists!

12/22/2025

The museum will be undergoing some repairs to the HVAC system this week. We will be closed until January 5.

12/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17ngH3zhbZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/02/2025

Here’s a reminder about this event tonight! You can still register to attend virtually!

Join us on December 2 for our McNickle Distinguished Conversation!

eemamwiciki neehi kaakiihsitaatiiwaaci: 'They Awaken and Preserve it for Each Other'
Tuesday, December 2
6pm - 7pm CT
Hybrid - at the Newberry and on Zoom

This exciting conversation among representatives from the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma will foreground why archives and ongoing relationships with archival institutions, like the Newberry, are essential to Native nations' cultural revitalization efforts. Starting with discussion about what defines cultural revitalization and why it's important, Nate Poyfair, Jared Nally, and Morgan Lippert will then share their perspectives on various Myaamia revitalization projects, including those focused on language, written and oral histories, and textiles, as well the establishment of the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive.

The event is free and open to all! Learn more and register in advance: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/they-awaken-and-preserve

11/21/2025

11/11/2025

MHMA curator Morgan Lippert, along with other Miami Tribe employees, will be presenting at the Newberry Library on Dec 2! We encourage anyone in the area to visit for this event in person, but you can also register to attend virtually.

Join us on December 2 for our McNickle Distinguished Conversation!

eemamwiciki neehi kaakiihsitaatiiwaaci: 'They Awaken and Preserve it for Each Other'
Tuesday, December 2
6pm - 7pm CT
Hybrid - at the Newberry and on Zoom

This exciting conversation among representatives from the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma will foreground why archives and ongoing relationships with archival institutions, like the Newberry, are essential to Native nations' cultural revitalization efforts. Starting with discussion about what defines cultural revitalization and why it's important, Nate Poyfair, Jared Nally, and Morgan Lippert will then share their perspectives on various Myaamia revitalization projects, including those focused on language, written and oral histories, and textiles, as well the establishment of the Myaamia Heritage Museum and Archive.

The event is free and open to all! Learn more and register in advance: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/they-awaken-and-preserve

10/22/2025

On this day in history, October 22, 1790, the Harmar campaign ended. This campaign was an attempt to stop Native American resistance to United State’s settlements across the Ohio River. It was an unsuccessful campaign and warriors defeated United States troops at the site of present-day Fort Wayne, Indiana.

This campaign is part of what is called the Old Northwest War. The area called the Northwest Territory, covers all of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the northeastern part of Minnesota. This territory had been ceded by the British at the end of the American Revolution. But that land had not been ceded by the tribes living there.

In response to encroachment, Miami Chief Little Turtle and Shawnee Chief Blue Jacket began building a coalition of Cherokee, Wyandot, Ojibwe, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Lenape, Kickapoo, Kaskaskia, Wea, and Piankeshaw. This war would not end for some time.

The Harmar campaign is named for Brigadier General Josiah Harmar. In October of 1790, he destroyed several villages along the Maumee River, but in three following engagements, detached parts of his army lost many men.This campaign was only a small part of this larger war, and if you’d like to read more, we recommend “The Indian Wars” by Anton Treuer. The map we are sharing was drawn by Ebenezer Denny circa 1790.

07/17/2025

“I was inspired to re-use vintage bags in the same way as my ancestors used many things traded with them from many areas around the world including the beads I work with every day. The catfish bag image was inspired by the paintings of Norval Morriseau. The beauty created by blocks of color and designs from his visions and dreams. I chose a catfish as an animal usually not depicted in art but ever present in my life living along the Wabash river, the homelands of my people. We come from the water like my brother catfish. The fabric was a gift from a friend who acquired it in San Francisco in the early 1970s. I felt the design of the batik created a perfect background for this piece.”—Katrina Mitten (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma)

The Wabash River flows southwest through the state of Indiana, passing along Huntington, where Katrina Mitten was born and raised. The river has long been part of life in the area. Over 120 endangered, threatened, or rare plant and animal species call it home. The river is also home to 150 different species of fish, including "living fossils" paddlefish, and catfish like the one beaded onto this vintage bag.

Mitten began teaching herself how to bead at age twelve. She was inspired by examples of Great Lakes style beadwork that were likely gifted to or purchased by her grandmother while in the Great Lakes area. Her love affair with beadwork began and she hasn’t looked back. She made jewelry and ribbon shirts to sell at powwows until someone suggested she enter an art show. In the late 1990s, she entered her first juried art show and won an honorable mention. This early recognition pushed Mitten to keep going and to view herself as an artist. At age 45, she enrolled in art school to expand her skills, trying everything from painting to metalwork.

Today, Mitten teaches young people in her community to pass on the traditional knowledge she’s gained. She says “I don’t want my kids growing up, and my grandkids just knowing that they come from Miami people. I want them to be a Myaamia person.”
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Katrina Mitten (Miami [Oklahoma], b. 1962), “Catfish bag,” 2014. Cotton, metal, beads, satin, hide thong, dyes. Museum purchase from the artist. 26/9611

Are you an Indigenous artist in search of an opportunity to showcase your work? We invite you to apply for the museum's annual Native Art Market, held each December. Apply on our website by Friday, September 5 to be considered. https://americanindian.si.edu/native-art-market/calltoartists/

07/04/2025

We celebrate all our artists who contributed to this year’s Eugene Brown Memorial Art Show! After tabulating in-person and online votes, this year’s People’s Choice winner is Josephine Cirullo with her mixed media piece, Tradition. We agree—this piece was chosen alongside a small number of others to be added to the museum’s permanent collection! Mayaawi teepi, Josey!