While respecting my
elders, which I always try to do, I will still teach a 'freelance Writer'
Angie, a word if I
may, great coverage however please remember,
"Clowns wear
Costume's, Native American's wear Regalia."
Remember, just
teaching?
Meyers dressed in
Native American costume.
Angie Birdsall is a
freelance writer who primarily covers Constantine.
Messenger of the
Great Spirit
Tonya Meyers honored all Native Americans who served in the
armed forces
by marching in the Memorial Day parade
on Monday in Constantine.
She has roots in the
Miami tribe.
Her tribal name is “Tisqua”
which means
“messenger of the Great
Spirit.”
Photo provided by
Angie Birdsall
By Angie Birdsall
June 2, 2016
CONSTANTINE
Tonya Meyers, who
has roots in the Miami nation, honored all Native Americans who served in the
armed forces by marching in the Memorial Day parade on Monday in Constantine.
“They seem to be
forgotten, but they played an important role in our country’s history,” she
said.
Meyer’s tribal name
is “Tisqua,” a derivative of “Tishanta,” which means “messenger of the Great
Spirit.”
“My grandfather John
Lowell was in World War II, and received the Purple Heart, and my
great-grandfather was a scout in the Civil War,” she said.
“I made my outfit
out of white doe skin over 30 years ago, and I carry a spirit feather drum. I
do spirit fires, honorary prayers for people in need,” she said.
Meyers is an
ex-hospice nurse with 30 years experience, and participates in Indian cultural
events, and has visited the Earth Song Peace Chamber spiritual center in Three
Rivers.
The Miami are a
Native American nation originally speaking one of the Algonquian languages.
Among the Great Lakes tribes, they occupied territory in Indiana, southwest
Michigan and western Ohio. The name Miami is derived from “Myaamia” or
“downstream people.” Scholars say the Miami call themselves the Twightwee, an
onomatopoeic reference to their sacred bird the sandhill crane. The early Miami
had a maize-based agriculture and engaged in hunting. Warfare and social
disruption had contributed to the decimation of the Native American
populations, but a major factor were fatalities from infectious diseases for
which they had no immunity. This is believed to have reduced populations by up
to 90 percent.
Angie Birdsall is a
freelance writer who primarily covers Constantine.
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