(new April 2021 edit)

THE KANSAS INSTITUTE FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN

AND NATIVE-AMERICAN FAMILY HISTORY

This website concerns: African American history -- especially historic and current connections with Native Americans-- and social history of the American Mid-West, family history, and commemorating Kansas history.

(NOTICE: For viewers using a computer, all the links should open, perhaps in “a new frame,” But, for any that does not open, try using a control+click procedure. Then, look at the top of your screen for that new frame and click on it.

To join the KIAANAFH download and fill out this form and send any voluntary dues and/or contribution
($25/yr is has been our dues in the past) to our Treasurer.
Make checks payable to “KIAANAFH” -contributions & membership payments are tax deductable!
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FEATURED ITEMS

Wichita Public Library likely to be named after Dr. Ronald Walters, noted professor and author, and political advisor to national political leaders at the highest levels. He was also a former President of this Kansas Institute: Below is one of the newspaper announcements about this development.

“Wichita library likely to be named after civil rights leader”
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JANUARY 04, 2021 07:18 AM WICHITA, KAN.

Wichita officials are expected to name the city's newest library after a Black man who led a sit-in at a drugstore in 1958 that helped end racial segregation in the city.

The Library Board has recommended the new library be named for Ronald Walters, who left Wichita to become a noted civil rights champion and author. The council was expected to accept the recommendation at its meeting Tuesday, The Wichita Eagle reported.

Walters was president of the Wichita NAACP Youth Council when he organized a sit-in at the Dockum Drugs store, which served Blacks only with carryout food.

Walters and others sat at the diner and tried to order for three weeks before the manager relented and began serving Black customers. In 2006, the national NAACP said it was the first youth-led sit-in in the country to achieve the desired results.

Walters had a distinguished career in academia and wrote several books on racial and political subjects. He remained active in politics, serving as an adviser in the Bill Clinton administration on policies opposing South African apartheid and managing both presidential campaigns of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

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IMPORTANT RECENT NEWS ITEM: Former Topekan Mr. Kevin Young is to lead the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of African American History and Culture (to search relevant news on this development, try a search with “google”)

OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS AND ISSUES

Sarasota, Florida - The 2nd annual Sarasota Native American Film Festival took place virtually from March 19th until March 28th, 2021. The mission of the event was to present cinematic works related to the experience of indigenous people in the Americas. The festival was presented by the Sarasota Film Festival and Boxser Diversity Initiative, in collaboration with the Native Reel Cinema Festival, the Stranahan House Museum, and the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum of Seminole Culture and History. Showcasing a diverse program of over 20 films, the Sarasota Native American Film Festival featured the World Premiere of the feature documentary “Finding Angola: Manatee’s County First Black Community,” directed by Charles Clapsaddle, about the Bradenton, Florida-based community founded by escaped slaves and Seminoles in the early 1800s. The festival also featured a retrospective of films from the First Nations Mi’kmaq filmmaker Catherine Anne Martin, including the World Premiere of her new documentary “The Basket Maker” that honors generations of women who have used their skills and knowledge to create traditional art.

Among other programming highlights were films by the noted Seminole/Muskogee director Sterlin Harjo, short films by emerging indigenous filmmakers, music videos by Seminole artists, and a spotlight on alligator wrestling. The festival also showcased “Smoke Signals,” the seminal 1998 road-trip dramedy directed by Chris Eyre, as well as “Songs My Brother Taught Me,” the debut feature from the celebrated, Academy Award-nominated director Chloe Zhao. Her film’s story focuses on life at the Pine Ridge Reservation of the Oglala Lakota. The virtual program showcased films, live Q&As with the filmmakers behind the films, and panels that speak to the Native American/Indigenous Peoples experience. Of particular note is the panel Listen and Learn: key issues in Native American Life, which featured leaders from the Lakota, Navajo, Seminole, Pueblo and First Nations people discussing vital topics.

“I am very honored that the Sarasota Film festival reached out to The Native Reel Cinema Festival to help be involved with their beautiful event. With this great collaboration I feel it will broaden the focus and light on Native/Indigenous films, Directors, actors, and most importantly our stories. MVTO!,” said Everett Osceola, President and Co-founder of Native Reel Cinema Festival.
(Learn more about The Sarasota Native American Film Festival and other featured films through Sarasota Film Festival’s own website for 2021: Sarasota Film Festival 2021 - Sarasota Film Festival .

The 2021 Native American festival was co-sponsored by the Manasota FL chapter of ASALH.)

Address: P.O. Box 2356 Sarasota, FL 34230 US

* a very noteworthy book: “Black Seminoles in the Bahamas” by:

Rosalyn Howard

BIOGRAPHY Professor Rosalyn Howard was an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She specializes in Cultural Anthropology and her primary area of research is ethnohistorical studies of the African Diaspora with a focus on the interrelationships formed by African and Indigenous peoples in the Americas and the Caribbean. Dr. Howard has conducted extensive research among mixed Native-African populations in The Bahamas and Bermuda. Among her publications is the book entitled Black Seminoles in the Bahamas, an ethnographic study of the Black Seminole descendant community of Red Bays, Andros Island, Bahamas. Dr. Howard is also a member of a public anthropology research project entitled “Looking for Angola” currently compiling archaeological, cultural, and archival evidence of an early 19^th century Florida maroon community, formerly located near present-day Sarasota, Florida, which has a direct connection to Red Bays see the website: (www.lookingforangola.org). Other recent publications include, The “Wild Indians” of Andros Island: Black Seminole Legacy in The Bahamas (Journal of Black Studies)

RECENTLY IN THE NEWS: SEMINOLE NATION DENIES COVID VACCINE TO BLACK FREEDMEN MEMBERS
see this news posting about this issue by: Jessica Bruno

Posted: Mar 18, 2021 / 06:19 PM CDT / Updated: Mar 18, 2021 / 06:19 PM CDT

WEWOKA, Okla. A group of Seminole Citizens, who are descendants of slaves known as Freedmen, claim they were denied a COVID-19 shot at an Indian Health Services clinic in Wewoka. “You’re telling a group of people that is a fourth of the tribe to go ahead and die because you don’t want to give us a shot,” LeEtta Osborne-Sampson told KFOR.

On 2021/03/21/ Phil Fixico posted on his own website the statement: “biden-must-confront-his-secretary-of-interior-about-seminole-nation-denying-covid-vaccine-to-their-black-freedmen-tribal-members-reports-caesar-bruner-freedmen-band-chief-le-etta-osborne-sampson” -

As Phil Fixico, who brought this tragic development to our attention, has pointed out: “There was once an alliance there in Kansas, and in Truth the 5 so-called CIVILIZED TRIBES who joined the Confedracy's Lost Cause would not have gotten their land back without agreeing to the 1865 Fort Smith Truce that became the U.S. Indian Territory 1866 Treaty” (quoted below) for which Phil’s great-grandfather “Ceasar Bruner was an Interpreter for the First Indian Home Guard:” Fixico went on to quote from a treaty the US signed with the Seminoles:

“ARTICLE 2. The Seminole Nation covenant that henceforth in said nation slavery shall not exist, nor involuntary servitude, except for and in punishment of crime, whereof the offending party shall first have been duly convicted in accordance with law, applicable to all the members of said nation. And inasmuch as there are among the Seminoles many persons of African descent and blood, who have no interest or property in the soil, and no recognized civil rights it is stipulated that hereafter these persons and their descendants, and such other of the same race as shall be permitted by said nation to settle there, shall have and enjoy all the rights of native citizens, and the laws of said nation shall be equally binding upon all persons of whatever race or color, who may be adopted as citizens or members of said tribe.”

Phil “Pompey” Fixico is a Seminole Maroon Descendant, and Founder/President of the Semiroon Historical Society , member of the L.A. Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers (9th & 10th horse) Cavalry, Private-Sector-Partner of the National Underground Railroad/Network to Freedom 1998 Act , North American Representative to the Caribbean’s Maroon Women’s Chamber of Cooperation and is featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s , book and exhibit, entitled: “indiVisible”: African-Native Americans in the Americas

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The KIAANAFH is also happy to take note of developments regarding “Columbus Day.” It will become “Indigenous People’s Day” in several locations: progress is being made to replace the name of “Columbus Day,” in recognition of the disaster the contact they had with him and his explorers. One such move has been recently announced by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Below is their announcement:

“With the endorsement of Academic Council, beginning this year MIT will change the name of this holiday from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, in recognition and celebration of the Native presence and voices in our community. You can learn more about the holiday’s significance through an October 14 lecture by MLK Visiting Scholar Patricia Saulis.”

“Finding Common Ground” was a 2018 symposium presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Moderated by Michel Martin, weekend host of NPR’s All Things Considered, the symposium focused on the complex history of African Americans and Native Americans and how our intertwined stories are an essential part of our national identity.

A featured presentation was by Prof. Tiya Miles on the history of the long and complex connections between Native and African Americans. The whole symposium would likely also be of interest to the KIAANAFH community. YouTube Selection: Prof. Tiya Miles presentation

Also, through the link below, check out “The African Native American Genealogy Forum:” for all topics on Black/Indian connections, especially recent controversies regarding restoration of historic citizenship rights for "Freedmen"

Freedmen Descendants of the 5 Tribes website

Recent featured NEWS:

US Supreme Court favors Muscogee Creek land claims
Among its last rulings, the court handed Native Americans their biggest legal victory in decades when it ruled that much of eastern Oklahoma had long been a reservation of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Click Here for comments: For Muscogee citizens, the win was deeply personal.

FEATURED FAMILIES

CHARLES MCAFEE

McAfee_Charles_HM_photo

“Considered one of the most important African American architect in the United States, Charles McAfee of Wichita, Kansas, has used architecture to create opportunities for African Americans and make social commentary about racial inequality.” (The History Makers)

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Edith Walker’s Kansas pioneer family

for Matin's introduction of Edith Walker and === click here for E.Walker’s presentation
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Regarding the Sims family, the McAfee family, and others of Wichita:
by Mr. Charles McAfee, of McAfee3Architects Co. for video click here

OTHER FEATURED FAMILIES
Mayhew and Pendergrass Fort Scott KS family members for Mr. Lyle Gibson

Eliza Mayhew, born 1808

John C Pendergrass - 10^th Calvarey

For blog re his film on Lyle Gibson’s family history project: click here

for the family history narrative
and for related photos control click here and control click here

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OTHER FEATURED ITEMS AND LINKS:

Discussion: Key early Community-building African American organizations
and people of
North-East Kansas City, KS:
by Rev. Robert L. Baynham, Pastor of Metropolitan Church
for video, click here

The "Bleeding Kansas Heritage Area Project" is now transformed into the
Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area (click here for its website)

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For "YouTube" based VIDEOS from portions of an early KIAANAFH forum
on African American history in the Kansas area, click on the following links of interest.
(you can skip any advertisements).

Click here for some of Mr. Owens' presentation regarding Sumner High School, followed by Robert Farnsworth on the many contributions of "The Great Debater's" coach, Melvin Tolson.

Click here for the video clip of Khadijah Matin's presentation on her Nebraska pioneer family's Kansas experience, followed by Deborah Tucker's discussion of the life and achievements of Dr. George Washington Carver, and then the first part of the presentation by Ms Doretha Williams about early women's clubs in Kansas;
AND

Click here for the end of the Williams presentation on women's clubs, and the first half of the presentation by Rev. R.L. Baynham regarding the early development of Black churches in Kansas, and click here for the rest of that presentation by Rev. Baynham;
click here for Matin's introduction of Edith Walker, and click here for Edith Walker's presentation about her pioneer family in Kansas.

For a video of the presentation and related photos regarding "Aunt Polly" Crosslin, by W.R. Johnson click here
To continue with a few more sites and photos relating to this presentation click here.

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OTHER FEATURED LINKS
African Native American Genealogy Forum for all topics on Black/Indian connections, especially the recent controversies regarding restoration of historic citizenship rights for "Freedman"
Freedmen Descendants of the 5 Tribes website

"Muskogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band" organization
-- for their 2015 Conference speakers click here

"Creek Freedman" Organization

Concepts of citizenship relevant to Blacks and Indians
(this 2 hour panel incluudes a 15 minute talk by Willard R. Johnson regarding Blacks and Indians (start the video, and to hear only Johnson's presenttion, move the location marker to 1hr 17 min mark into the video)

For current news from an Indian nations perspective, click here

National Congress of Black American Indians launched in July 2014---
for the Indianz News article on this event, click here

As mentioned above regarding the present form of The "Bleeding Kansas Heritage Area Project" for Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area (click here for its website) – and --

(for information on ALL the Heritage Areas, click here )

Black Archives of Mid-America

BLACK PAST: African American History through people and places;
see especially the vignette of Seminole Chiefs Billy Bowleg (Halpata & Sonaki Micco)

National Resources for doing genealogy on African Americans and Native Americans

AfroAmerican Historical and Genealogy Society

Afrigeneas - genealogy and history site

The Kansas African American Museum -- Wichita

Mid West Indian Center Wichita

Heart of America Indian Center KC MO

National American Indian Museum

Regarding the historic underground railroad site at the Quindaro Ruins:
listen to an interesting radio interview on the KC Currents show at KCUR (brought to our attention by Marvin S. Robinson II) http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kcur/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1837930

For an earlier Los Angeles Times archive article on the Quindaro Ruins site: click here

FOR SOME OTHER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING ABOUT KANSAS SOCIAL HISTORY
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CITIZENS CREEK

This is by the Author of the best-selling books: Cane River, and Red River

We very seldom impose on our contacts to call attention to commercial products, however relevant they may be to the common interests of the visitors to this website. However, having read this book (and, indeed all her previous ones) and having discussed it with her throughout much of its development, and finding it truly an extraordinarily informative, moving, historically well-grounded in the available facts, and brilliantly rendered work of historical fiction – we feel confident in recommending it to our members and friends. This is a very important story about Cow Tom and his family, his close associates (such as Harry Island) and owner (Chief Yargee) . Tom and Island were among the most famous and consequential of the Black interpreters for the Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee Native American nations, during the period of the “Indian removals” and American Civil War. Such a story has ramifications for relations between many African Americans and Native Americans today. It was published by Atria Books division of Simon and Shuster, Inc. We recommend this book to a wide range of readers - those who enjoy engrossing fiction, or a good multigenerational family story, or important but still rather overlooked aspects of American history.
You can ORDER Citizens Creek through Amazon at this webiste or through the author's website www.lalitatademy.com, just click through any of the links there
(Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or an independent bookseller) For more information, also see the
website www.simonandshuster.com or www.facebook.com/atriabooks.

Also consider the book that records a very relevant 2009 exhibit at
The National Museum of Native Americans, Washington D.C.

“INDIVISIBLE”
you can order this book from the Smithsonian Stores:
phone 1-800-331-3761, or online at their website,
search by this ISBN: 978-1-58834-271-3

Other KIAANAFH PAST ACHIEVEMENTS include:

* Transcription of a “breakout session” panel at the 57^th Annual Session of the National Council of American Indians under the leadership of Chief Mankiller and Dr. Patrick Minges, that focussed on "The Legacy and Future of Black/Indian Relations." The session was organized by former Cherokee Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller, with the assistance of Dr. Willard R. Johnson and the KIAANAFH. The transcription was rendered by Dr. Johnson and is published for posting here and in print by the KIAANAFH. Click on this next link for the transcription of this NCAI session on BLACK/ INDIAN RELATIONS - TRANSCRIPT. You may download and print this transcription for personal, classroom, civic organizational or other strictly non-commercial uses only.

For an extensive bibliography and resource list developed by participants in this panel, click here for “Bibglioraphy on historic connections between African Americans and Native Americans”

For information regarding THE GREAT ESCAPE CEREMONY
click > "Tracing Trails of Blood on Ice: The Great Escape" of Indians and Blacks into Kansas."

You may order a copy of our DVD of the complete ceremony, -- $20 for members, plus $4 shipping, $30 plus $4 shipping for non-members.

The Negro History Bulletin of Jan.-Dec. 2001 (Vol. 64) carried an article by Willard R. Johnson regarding this story. Click here for a text only copy of this individual article for non-commercial use. The whole issue containing this article and teaching guides may be purchased through the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, publications archive website: ASAALH publication archive store

*KIAANAFH also contributed to the planning for the original "Bleeding Kansas Heritage Area" project, including the LeRoy Kansas Opothleyahola Memorial site that is part of that tour area, as part of a 4-county Heritage Tour area that was inspired by and based on the story commemorated in KIAANAFH's June 2000 "Great Escape" ceremony, called "Tracing Trails of Blood on Ice." --- for infro regarding a photograph and more information on the LeRoy site, click here--- The whole trail will be part of the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area mentioned above.

OTHER PAST KIAANAFH ACCOMPLISHMENTS include:

* Seminars/exhibitions on pioneer African American families in the Southeast Kansas area with principal funding support from the Kansas Humanities Council.

* Round-Table discussions within the Kansas based African American communities to document the connections the various episodes of forced removal of Native American nations from the South Eastern United States during the 1830s “Trail of Tears."

* A workshop among families that participated in the round-table programs together with experts and officials from the National Archives and Records Administration (from Washington DC and Ft. Worth TX offices) devoted to documentation for connections between the African- and Native- American peoples.

* CHEROKEE NATION CENSUS (1869/1870): transcription of a Cherokee pension census commissioned in 1869, and supervised by Capt. J. W. Craig. It records ALL known residents in the territory of The Cherokee Nation (Indian Territory/Oklahoma) including colored persons, whether citizens or not, and intruders. This census was submitted to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in Dec. 1871 by F. E. Foster, Sp. Agent in the Pension Office. It had been lost in the National Archives since 1871.
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ABOUT the KIAANAFH: this is an independent, non-profit, membership organization founded in 1991 to promote the preservation, documentation, and appreciation of family identity, traditions, and achievements of the members of the African American and Native American communities of the Mid-West United States. The KIAANAFH aims to assist families which have a greater Kansas area regional base of ancestral roots and perhaps widely scattered branches, to know, preserve, strengthen and celebrate their own achievements.

The KIAANAFH was founded by persons whose parents or grandparents were/are still resident in Kansas, or whose current work is associated with the study and preservation of historical material relating to Kansas. Many of them represent mixtures of African American and Native American descent, or have "Freedman," and/or “comrade in arms” connections with Native American peoples. Many of them are academicians, in a variety of fields, who can help identify and mobilize resources to assist families to document themselves more fully and to preserve their important memorabilia. In particular, they aim to improve the resource base for revealing and commemorating the often neglected and difficult to document aspects of African American and Native American genealogical and historical relationships.

Logo items: K=haystack, I=eye floating eye of inquiry,“A”s=African pyramids,
NA= “teepees” F= head of family headdress, H=ancestral fan

To join the KIAANAFH download and fill out this form and send any voluntary contribution ( $25/yr has been our usual dues) to our Treasurer. ( Make checks payable to “KIAANAFH” -- plese note that contributions and membership payments ARE tax deductible)

OFFICERS: