Nipwaayoni Acquisition and Assessment Team (NAAT)

About NAAT

Language and culture maintenance is one of many crucial issues facing tribal nations today. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has undertaken revitalization efforts since 1996 by developing a wide range of community based educational initiatives including support for the development of the Myaamia Center at Miami University to assist in tribal education.

A strategic goal of this revitalization movement, referred to as the Myaamiaki Eemamwiciki ‘the Miami Awaken’ is to strengthen the kinship connections of Myaamia citizens of all ages through a shared value and knowledge system rooted in Myaamia language and culture. It is understood that Myaamia Language use and cultural practices are the most efficient and effective means of transferring myaamia nipwaayoni iišinaakosioni ‘myaamia ways of knowing and being’.

The purpose of the Nipwaayoni Acquisition and Assessment Team (NAAT), created in 2012, is to observe, interpret, and document the impact of these experiences among tribal citizens, especially the youth, who enter this learning environment. The NAAT is a specialized interdisciplinary team charged with developing assessment instruments that deepen our understanding of the community impact of language and cultural education.

Quick Information

  • 169 Myaamia students have enrolled at Miami University since 1996
  • There are 100 Myaamia student graduates of Miami University
  • 92% graduation rate for Myaamia students at Miami University as of 2021
  • In 2022, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University will celebrate 50 years of relationship building
  • Revitalized Myaamia art forms (ribbonwork) and games (lacrosse)
  • Approximately 100 tribal youth aged 6-17 participate annually in Summer Youth Educational Experiences

Findings at a Glance

Publications

Shea, H., Mosley-Howard, G. S., Baldwin, D., Ironstrack, G., Rousmaniere, K., & Schroer, J. E. 2019. Cultural Revitalization as a Restorative Process to Combat Racial and Cultural Trauma and Promote Living Well. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication.

Mosley-Howard, G. Susan, Daryl Baldwin, George Ironstrack, Kate Rousmaniere, Bobbe Burke. 2016. Niila Myaamia (I Am Miami): Identity and Retention of Miami Tribe College Students, In: Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. February 2016 vol. 17 no. 4 437-461. Sage Publication, Inc. (doi:10.1177/1521025115579249)

Committee Members

Dr. Susan Mosley-Howard

Dr. Susan Mosley-Howard
Dean & Professor Emeritus, Miami University
mosleygs@miamioh.edu

Dr. Haley Shea

Dr. Haley Shea
Myaamia Research Associate & Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, Miami University
strassha@miamioh.edu

Dr. Tracy Hirata-Edds

Dr. Tracy Hirata-Edds
Multi-term Lecturer, University of Kansas, Myaamia Research Associate, Miami University
hiratate@miamioh.edu