1990 - 1991

The Nation Budget for 1991 was $5,925.00. The Nation Officers for 1991 were installed at the Fall Campout Fire Ceremony for the first time in our Nation’s history due to the change we made in our Constitution in 1990.

The First event of our new year was held in October at Camp Y-Noah. It was the Ghoul Walk for Halloween and we invited the Indian Maidens as our guest. We went roller-skating at the Barberton Rollercade II in November, which was a Family Event. In December our Annual Banquet was held at Thomastown Party Center with the Animal Man as our entertainment. The Nation went to see a Canton Invaders soccer game for the 3rd year in January and this was a Family Event. In February the Nation went bowling at Jackie Lees. Our Swim/Overnighter was held in March at the Canal Place YMCA and more people stayed overnight than in years past. We also had some people who did not sleep at all. For our Fundraiser we had brochure sales and candy bars together for the first time in our history. It was very successful. We raised $6,900.00 for the 1991 – 1992 budget. In April our Nation Kite Fly was rained out but was held a week later with good attendance. The 52nd National Longhouse Convention was held in Akron in April. Phil First was Chairman and many present and former members of the Manikiki Nation helped make this convention a success. In May we went to Camp Y-Noah and had our first campout in some years where it did not rain. It was also held late enough that we could go swimming. In June our family Picnic was held at Sunnyside Acres and was a Family Event. This event ended early because of the drowning of a girl who was also at the park. A number of our group were a part of the search for this girl and did everything they could to save her. We had another Family Event in July. We attended a Canton Akron Indians game, which they won in 13 innings. Our Fall Campout was held at Camp Tippecanoe and we also had great weather. We had 20 Little Braves and 13 Big Braves go out at this Campout. The Nation officers for 1992 were installed at the Fire Ceremony.

We made an amendment to our constitution that working at our service project would be like marching in a parade and count toward ½ of a missed event. We started sending postcards to remind the Chiefs of our Longhouse meetings and this helped attendance. The Nation Officers started meeting in between Longhouse meetings to keep up with Nation business.

In the spring we had 23 people go to Camp Y-Noah and help get it ready for the year. We also started planning with the camp to furnish labor to build a new outdoor archery range. We started working on the building on October 12, 1991 and had it under roof and shingled that weekend. We poured the floor on October 18, 1991. On October 26, 1991 we put the sheeting on the sides and installed the rail in front. We installed trim boards and sheeting on the rafter ends on October 28, 1991 and our part of the project was done.

The Budget and Event Committee set up the following events to be free Skating, Swim/Overnighter, Family Picnic along with the Halloween, Bowling, and Kite Flying which were already free.

We marched in three parades this year. We had 38 people march in the Franklin Township Memorial Day Parade. We had a mix-up on the dates for the Uniontown Parade and only had 2 people march in it. We had 21 people march in the Barberton Labor Day Parade.

The Organizational Drive was a great success adding 57 families to our Nation for 1992. We added 2 new tribes, lost the Sioux tribe, for a total of 17 tribes. During this drive we had a half-hour program about Indian Guides and Indian Maidens shown 8 times on Marks Cablevision.

45% of our Little Braves received the 100% Participation Award this year. The Big Medicine Award went to the Seneca Tribe for 1991. This was the 2nd year in a row. The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Bob Young. The Joe Friday Award was presented to Mike Grimes and Jim Peterson. The Nation presented a special plaque to Bob Young for building our campout ceremonial fires for the last few years. The nation also presented a special plaque to Phil First for being Chairman for the 52nd National Longhouse Convention.

The Nation strength for 1991 was 141 Little Braves and 117 Big Braves for a total of 258. Dues for the 1990 – 1991 year was $34.00 for Father/Son and $10.00 for an additional son and free for the 3rd and over sons.

Nation Chief - John P. Markwood III, Blackfoot
War Chief - Keith Gwyn, Mingo
Sachem - Phil First, Seneca
Medicine Man - Dan Suboticki, Seneca
Wampum Bearer - Mitch Miller, Cheyenne
Talleykeeper - Bob Bernat, Kiowa
Indian Agent - Jan Reichert, YMCA