Friday, November 19, 1999Group shares its Shawnee heritage
Tribe's descendants to relate stories
BY JENNY CALLISON
Enquirer ContributorFAIRFIELD — Descendants of warriors who fought with Tecumseh have stories to tell. They will be relating those stories — and sharing their culture — at a gathering today of the Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band.
Today's program will include demonstrations of fire-making as well as bead and quill work, activities for children, cooking and tasting of traditional Shawnee foods and storytelling. Two tribe members, Neeake (Fred Shaw) and West Chester resident Ayapia (Larry Eveland) will relate animal tales essential to the Shawnee culture.
“Part of my message includes "walk softly on the earth' issues,” said Mr. Eveland. “As a lead-in to that, I talk about my clothing and the transition from buckskin to cloth, and the making of moccasins.”
Because of U.S. policies toward American Indians in the last century, many members of the Shawnee Tribe “walked softly” out of official consciousness.
The Remnant Band are the tribe's descendants. Their ancestors fought with the venerable Chief Tecumseh, said DarkRain Thom, a group member who lives in Bloomington, Ind.
“Tecumseh died without signing a treaty with the United States,” she said. “Since we did not sign a treaty, we did not get any land from the government.”
With no land, there was no official recognition or even a gathering spot for the Shawnee Remnant Band, and individuals dispersed throughout the United States and Canada.
Some years ago their chief decided to locate descendants of the warriors, and began advertising. As increasing numbers of people document ed their heritage and joined the group, the tribe began meeting for ceremonies and social gatherings.
“We finally decided to purchase our own place back in the land our ancestors were removed from,” said Ms. Thom, adding that the tribe began presenting programs to raise money to buy the land and develop a tribal center.
“Within six years we purchased 121 acres near Ur bana, Ohio. After another six years we built a community house and installed electricity, developed a seed garden and stomp grounds,” she said.
Although the Shawnee have accomplished their original goals in purchasing land, Ms. Thom said they continue their presentations to educate the public and to build better relationships and understanding with residents of this region.
At the presentation, the tribe will have historical, genealogical and cultural information to share.
The sad death of a place for birth and life
40 inmates freed as jail nears limit
Police shun ex-con's firm
Warrant amnesty offered for 1 day
Bulk of warrants for minor offenses
Partial list of warrants in Kenton Co.
Throng fawns over Glenn
Glenn center loses $10M bid in House
Showdown is looming at Fernald
Options for treating Fernald waste
Another bomb threat closes school
Delta boosts convention center
Medicare bill aids hospitals
Payday loans' high interest adds misery, lawmakers told
Softball coach gives $387,000 to NKU
Forging a separate faith
The Boss: How rock is done
CSO gives premieres good launch
GET TO IT
No bingo winners at Channel 12
Roots redefine the rap show
She's faced disease and endured
Whose home for the holidays?
Business ads slam justice for liability-limits ruling
Butler Co. races too close to call
Deerfield broadens its powers
Fund-raiser to give ailing kids a hand
Group shares its Shawnee heritage
Lebanon turns maroon and white
Miami U sees hidden agenda in lawsuit
Mining company appeals rejection of zoning change
Panel weighs anti-smoking plan
Patton bans outdoor burning after fires
Police, FBI seek Falmouth bank robber
School district fires treasurer, but won't say why
Siblings reunited after 8 decades apart
State GOP trolls N.Ky. for cash
Students join the hungry for a day
Trenton goes 'football-crazy'
TRISTATE DIGEST
