The Myaamia Heritage Foundation exists because of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the people who have carried this culture forward for generations. Learn who we are, where we come from, and why this work matters.
Providing opportunities for Myaamiaki to share cultural knowledge with each other and their communities.
Founded in 2024, the Myaamia Heritage Foundation (MHF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. MHF supports the Tribe’s cultural revitalization efforts by:
MHF seeks to create greater awareness and understanding of Myaamia history, culture, and language. We are committed to fostering cultural education, preserving Myaamia heritage, and strengthening community engagement through programs, events, and collaborative partnerships.
kiiloona myaamiaki – We are the downstream people.
The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is a sovereign nation and the only federally recognized tribe of the Myaamia people. Its seat of government and reservation are located in noošonke (Miami, OK), and the Tribe operates an extension office in kiihkayonki (Fort Wayne, IN). As of 2025, the Tribe has more than 7,000 citizens. While Myaamia citizens live in all 50 states and abroad, the population is concentrated in northeastern Oklahoma, eastern Kansas, and northern Indiana. This geographic distribution reflects the forced removals Myaamia people endured at the hands of the federal government, which displaced them from their homelands in what are now Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan to present-day Kansas and Oklahoma.
Today, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is a strong and vibrant community, actively working to sustain and strengthen Myaamia cultural identity through ongoing efforts of reclamation, revitalization, and preservation. For more information, please visit the Miami Tribe’s official website.
The Myaamia Heritage Foundation logo is more than a visual identity. It is a symbol of cultural continuity, resilience, and the Myaamia people’s enduring connection to their lands and heritage.
At its center is eecipoonkwia, the snapping turtle, found throughout Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kansas, and Oklahoma, the same landscapes that define Myaamia history. Its presence across these homelands mirrors the Myaamia story: deep ancestral roots, forced displacement, and an unbroken bond with place. For the Myaamia, land is the foundation of language, cultural practice, and identity, and eecipoonkwia embodies that connection.
Adorning the shell is a diamond pattern inspired by Myaamia ribbonwork, an art form created by layering and sewing ribbons into intricate designs. Ribbonwork fell dormant within the Myaamia community as a result of colonization and forced removal, but it is now being actively revived by tribal members. Its inclusion in the logo is a tribute to those who kept the tradition alive and to those bringing it back today, reflecting exactly the kind of cultural reclamation the Foundation exists to support.
The Snapping Turtle is a symbol of the Myaamia people’s deep connection to their ancestral homelands, spanning the same landscapes their community has called home for generations.
Black represents Myaamia elders and the wisdom they carry. Associated with the north, it honors those who carried Myaamia culture through its most difficult chapters.
Red represents Myaamia adults, the generation responsible for caring for both elders and youth. A color of strength and sacrifice, associated with the west.
Turquoise represents older Myaamia youth growing toward independence and knowledge, not yet carrying full responsibility. Associated with the south and the path ahead.
Yellow represents the youngest Myaamia children and new beginnings. Associated with the rising sun, it reflects the Foundation’s commitment to future generations.
The Snapping Turtle is a symbol of the Myaamia people’s deep connection to their ancestral homelands, spanning the same landscapes their community has called home for generations.
Black represents Myaamia elders and the wisdom they carry. Associated with the north, it honors those who carried Myaamia culture through its most difficult chapters.
Red represents Myaamia adults, the generation responsible for caring for both elders and youth. A color of strength and sacrifice, associated with the west.
Turquoise represents older Myaamia youth growing toward independence and knowledge, not yet carrying full responsibility. Associated with the south and the path ahead.
Yellow represents the youngest Myaamia children and new beginnings. Associated with the rising sun, it reflects the Foundation’s commitment to future generations.
