Myaamia Center docuseries nominated for regional Emmy
The docuseries about the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and its relationship with Miami University recently earned three Telly Awards
Myaamia Center docuseries nominated for regional Emmy
The docuseries about the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and its relationship with Miami University recently earned three Telly Awards
“Neepwaantiinki: Learning from Each Other – Part 1: Tending the Fire,” the first episode of the Myaamia Center’s docuseries, has been nominated for a regional Emmy.
The episode recently earned three awards at the 47th Annual Telly Awards, the world's largest honor for video and television content across all screens.
“Neepwaantiinki: Learning from Each Other” will be an eight-part docuseries that tells the history of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma while focusing on them as a contemporary, vibrant Tribal Nation.
The idea for the series came from Miami Online, which received an internal grant to support the production. The project was a collaborative effort, with Miami Online bringing technical skills and the Myaamia Center providing the story and knowledge represented throughout the series.
“We are so proud of the work that we have done on the docuseries, so it is wonderful to have it recognized in such a powerful way,” said Kara Strass, Van Zant Director of Miami Tribe Relations at the Myaamia Center, who serves as the docuseries cultural adviser and executive producer.
“I hope that it means that more people will get an opportunity to see it and learn about the Myaamia people, our work around cultural revitalization, and the relationship between the Miami Tribe and Miami University.”
Historical/Cultural/Nostalgia category
The docuseries is nominated for the regional Emmy in the Historical/Cultural/Nostalgia - Short or Long Form Content category. The Ohio Valley Chapter covers portions of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Rachel Sachs Valerio, media manager for Miami Online who is director and producer of the docuseries, said they submitted the episode for consideration weeks ago.
After the judging period concluded, nominations were announced June 5 via livestream and posted on the website. The ceremony will be held July 25 at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky.
Sachs Valerio called it incredibly rewarding to receive the nomination for a regional Emmy.
“It's heartening to see this story of trauma and resilience connect with audiences, and I'm excited to continue shedding light on the Tribe's ongoing efforts of cultural reclamation,” she said.
Sachs Valerio added, “The docuseries is a prime example of the reciprocal relationship between Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. It is a privilege to learn from our colleagues at the Myaamia Center and use our talents to highlight their vital work toward language and cultural revitalization.”
Strass called the project a true team effort. “We would not have been able to make this happen without the passion and dedication of the Miami Online team.”
'Tending the Fire'
The docuseries will be shared widely with the Miami Tribe community and the broader Miami University community. It has already been featured in several on-campus courses to help students learn more about the Myaamia people.
The first two episodes of the 8-part series are available to watch now. To learn more about the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and its relationship with Miami University, view the series on the Miami Tribe Relations webpage.
“Neepwaantiinki: Learning from Each Other – Part 1: Tending the Fire” is an introduction to the series and explores the deep, 54-year partnership between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University.
It touches on the Tribe’s history, their language and cultural revitalization efforts, and the concept of neepwaantiinki ‘learning from each other’ that has driven the relationship and evolved into a national model for tribally-led, university-supported collaboration.
Strass said, “The story of the Myaamia people is one that not many people know, so it was important to create an engaging format for sharing that story as widely as possible. I hope that viewers learn a bit about Myaamia history but primarily recognize that the Miami Nation is a contemporary and vibrant community.”
Interviews with cultural leaders, Miami University administrators, Tribal leaders, and historians helped to outline the narrative, and footage of contemporary cultural practices grounds the story in the life of the community today.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Myaamia Center? Visit the website for more information.