Recent Details about the Foundation and the Shawnee:
- Foundation (SIMF) seeks all perspectives – All First Nations People who were a part of the Mission’s past, Trails West/settlers, Civil War and Kansas Territory & Statehood
- SIMF/SMISH (Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society) Volunteer Library Group active many years. Research and seeking of new information ongoing. Onsite source for public.
- In November 2019 Shawnee tribe contacted by KSHS to help with missing headstones at the Shawnee Cemetery in Shawnee, KS. During the process of determining the names of the headstones missing, the Shawnee learn about the Shawnee Indian Mission.
- Shawnee writes to KS Governor expressing interest in being involved in Mission
- SIMF delegation promptly drives to Shawnee offices in Miami, OK to discuss Shawnee interests
- Shawnee Chief state goals as a ‘legitimate seat at the table’ and later add ‘historic interpretation’.
- SIMF & Shawnee agree to work together. Shawnee Chief joins SIMF Board and the SIMF Master Plan Steering Committee.
- Shawnee, KSHS (KS State Historical Society), Fairway and SIMF agree to spend a year developing a Mission partnership agreement of all 4 organizations.
SIMF and Shawnee Chief agree to become a National model of collaboration, working together on comprehensive planning, historical interpretation (website integration), discovery/seeking truth (Ground Penetrating Radar-GPR & interviews of families whose ancestors were Mission students), and education. Goal is to bring people together to build understanding, respect and healing. - Enthusiastic start with SIMF volunteers & Shawnee staff working together. SIMF timeframes for new web history section and Master Plan delayed for Shawnee to get up to speed.
- Unknown to SIMF, Shawnee contact ARG for a renovation study for the 3 Mission buildings. When SIMF discovers, Shawnee agree to share ARG results with SIMF for Master Plan. Unbeknownst to SIMF, Fairway or KSHS, Shawnee contact National Trust for Historic Preservation to list Mission as one of 11 most endangered spots in the country. Other partners unaware also until Shawnee request site for press conference to announce (National Trust withdraws Mission name from list upon discovery of conflicting facts and death of KSHS Director)
- Unknown to partners, Shawnee Chief begins unstated plan toward Mission ownership. DC based law & PR firms and lobbyist for KS legislature hired.
- Shawnee Chief publicly characterizes Mission in ways not based on any known facts.
- Shawnee Chief writes letter for SIMF Newsletter expressing enthusiasm for involvement
- SIMF unable to reach Shawnee participants for collaborate work, meetings missed. Goals not able to be met for GPR, history, Master Plan, collaborative partner agreement with KSHS, City & SIMF
- Shawnee Chief resigns from SIMF Board stating reasons that had not been brought to attention of SIMF despite many opportunities.
- SIMF contacts 33 tribes, many with students who attended the Mission; seeking info from families related to these students and partners to tell Native American history and culture factually. Many tribes enthusiastically respond. Relationship building and work to be ongoing.
- Shawnee Chief cuts contact with partners – SIMF, Fairway, KSHS. Objects to GPR by KSHS
- Shawnee Chief continues undisclosed strategy to acquire Mission. Shawnee Chief lobby in Kansas and elsewhere and contribute financially to KS legislators
- Kaw Nation Chair sends letter to Governor articulating expectations to be included in all decisions.
- SIMF, Fairway and KSHS agree to continue to work together on behalf of ALL the people who have been a part of the Mission’s past so that this history can be told all peoples today and in the future. The Mission belongs to ALL people, not just to one group. The National Historic Landmark designation is because of its historical significance to many. Aboriginal people, all 22 Native American people whose children attended the Mission trade school, settlers traveling West, all Kansans whose Territorial and Statehood history have Mission roots, the National struggle of the Civil War and more. Developing relationships with many different partners, collaborating to preserve, continually seeking more information and improving the site for generations of the diverse peoples to come – bringing people together through the Mission’s rich history to develop understanding, respect, trust and healing
