1971 - 1972

In 1971 the Firestone Park Wy-ENA Longhouse consisted of 24 tribes and over 350 big and little braves. Large Nation events were all afternoon, tiring events. Campouts were overcrowded and big and little braves had to eat in shifts. It was decided to split the Wy-ENA Longhouse near the end of 1971. The new Nations were initially known as the Northern Nation and the Southern Nation.

The Southern Nation, which took in the areas of Coventry, Green and Manchester, was made up of 8 tribes – the Arapaho, Cayugas, Chippewa, Crow, Erie, Ottawa, Seneca and Shawnee. The remaining 16 tribes made up the Northern Nation.

The first official meeting of the Southern Nation was December 8, 1971, at the Firestone Park YMCA. The following were elected as the first officers of the new Southern Nation.

Chief - George Bower
Assistant Chief - Ed Crowder
Medicine Man - Bob Comshaw
Wampum Bearer - Dallas Gipson
Tallykeeper - Joe Koehler

Both the Northern and southern nations received $250 from the WY-ENA treasury to purchase necessary equipment for their new Nation.

At the January 1972 meeting, the first financial report was given and all present agreed to set-up a checking account. Gerald Humes, Joe Gregor, Rudy Backer and Bob Comshaw were elected as delegates to the Longhouse. A Constitution committee was established to write a Constitution for the new Nation. A committee was named (Bill Harvey, Earl Dawson and Ed Crowder) to hold a “Name the Nation” contest. The “Name the Nation” contest was won by Joe Harvey with the name of “MANIKIKI”, which is the Erie word referring to the woods in this area. Thus was born the Manikiki Nation, February 1972. Meeting place for the Nation Council was Nolley School.

The Northern Nation was named Tonkawa Nation.

Dean Heffner of the Chippewa Tribe with a 15¾” Carp won the Spring Campout fishing contest.

The Manchester Swim Club held the first Manikiki Nation Halloween Party in the old barn.

As reported at the March 1972 Nation meeting minutes, the Manikiki Nation received $650 from the Wy-ENA Longhouse treasury as their share of the treasury.

Big Medicine Award rules were introduced at the March 1972 meeting. The Big Medicine Award winners were kept secret until the Father/Son Banquet.

After a successful Organization drive the Nation grew to 14 tribes with 234 big and little braves.

The Nation adopted the policy that new braves would not receive the yellow or second feather until the following year after joining.

It was learned and brought out at the November 1972 Chief’s meeting that everyone had been spelling the Nation name wrong – MANAKIKI – rather than the correct way – MANIKIKI. It was decided the error would be called typographical thus avoiding a Constitutional Amendment.