Lenaswa Waayaahtanonki (Bison of the Whirlpool from the place of the Wea)

Located on the west end behind the Books & Burrow plus Miners + Monroe buildings. Accessible from the west alley.

A collaborative project between Books & Burrow and Miners + Monroe, titled Lenaswa Waayaahtanonki or Bison of the Whirlpool/ from the place of the Wea/Wea Homelands. It is an interpretation of the emergence of our ancestors from the waters of Saakiiweesiipiwi (St. Joseph River near present-day South Bend, Indiana), their homeland journey, and displacement to Kansas and finally northeast Oklahoma where our tribe is located today.

It is located in the alleyway behind our two stores. We were so fortunate to work closely with muralist Jessica Stout from Miami, OK. Her artistic talent and vision brought the story to life and we are beyond grateful!

This mural was made possible by a grant from the KCAIC (Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission) and with support/assistance from the City of Pittsburg.

Brief Reference Note:

"Another day’s journey downstream would bring us to the site of Waayaahtanonki (at the Whirlpool).

In the 1820s, Pinšiwa and Meehcikilita stated that one man, Waayaahtanwa (Whirlpool Person), led the migration from the north that established this village. His name referred to a whirlpool that existed in the river near his original home.

Ultimately, this entire new village and the people who lived there took on the name Waayaahtanwa. This name was eventually shortened in English to “Wea”.

Today, many of the descendants of the people of this village are citizens of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma."

https://aacimotaatiiyankwi.org/.../12/16/walking-myaamionki/