In January 2023 the Shawnee of Miami, OK submitted bills in the Kansas House (HB 2208) and Senate (SB117) to convey the Mission from the State of Kansas to the Shawnee Tribe in Miami, OK. Neither the House nor the Senate gave the bill a hearing. The Kaw Nation strongly objected to the conveyance of the land, as did other tribes. Letters were sent to the Governor and legislators in opposition. The Shawnee bill in the Kansas legislature will remain an active bill through the 2024 legislative session.
In 2021 the Foundation, the City of Fairway and the Kansas Historical Society were very excited to have the Shawnee join as the 4th partner in this unique public/private partnership for Mission stewardship. Together we agreed to expand plans that included programing, restoration, interpretation, and more with the goal to make the Mission an even more vibrant National Historic Landmark and to be a national model of collaboration. The Shawnee Chief joined the Foundation Board and Master Plan Committee yet after a time Shawnee communication ceased. We were perplexed and later profoundly disappointed to discover that the Shawnee’s only interest was for sole ownership of the land. What about the other tribes that attended the school and all the important Kansas, regional and National History, let alone the sure loss of the National Historic Landmark designation?
The Mission has a complex, multi-faceted 183-year history that has State, Regional and National significance. Its 23 years as a mission school for 22 tribes is a part of that rich history. In the 1800’s the Mission housed the Kansas Territorial Governor’s offices, was the site of the first statehood vote for Kansas, provided a supply outpost on the trails west, served as barracks for Union troops, supplied food for the Union army and medical care for those injured in the Battle of Westport. The 1900’s also holds more history.
We support an inclusive, collaborative Mission that allows for complete, unvarnished telling of the Mission’s complex history by all voices. The conveyance of the Mission to any one entity is not in the best interests of the citizens of Kansas, the Region or the Nation. Nor would it serve the other tribes well. One Wyandot tribe member wondered why one tribe would own the Mission saying ‘Our children went there too’. More information about the Shawnee legislation to own the Mission can be found on the Fairway website and right here on our website.
