Miami People and the Wabash River

Diane Hunter discusses the relationship of the Miami people to waterways and Indiana. In her short interview, Diane discussed the historical prevalence of waterways to Miami people and the forced removal of Native Americans, including the Miami people, from Indiana.

Featured in the Speaker Series accompanying the Water|Ways exhibit, Diane will show the vital relationship between the Miami tribe and waterways. Through this, she will be showcasing their intertwined history. Many Miami villages were settled along the Wabash River and distinctly focused at places where the river confluences with other rivers or creeks. Diane also noted that these water sources played a prominent role in impacting all people, not just Native Americans.

Another significant impact on the Miami tribe was their forced removal from Indiana in 1846. Diane elaborated that some families were given an exemption. These exemptions were made through agreements with Joseph Sinclair. Most of these agreements were temporary and allowed harvesting to be finished. In 1850 some were able to receive another, more permanent exemption; however, most were forced to move to Kansas.

Overall, Diane wants her audience to take away that the Miami people are not of the past but living people with a past. The Miami people still reside in Indiana and are citizens of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, a sovereign and federally recognized tribe of Native Americans.

Scientific Research on the Wabash River

An Indiana State University student has recently made the Wabash River the center of her undergraduate research. Katelyn Rusiniak, a senior and lab assistant in the Earth and Environmental Systems Department at Indiana State, decided to focus her undergraduate research on pollution and water quality in the Wabash River.

Collecting Data

Working with a Ph.D. student, Katelyn has made numerous trips down the Wabash River collecting data. Stopping every five to 10 miles, the pair collects water, sediment, and floodplain samples. Along with these samples, they also search for places to collect “macros,” also known as macroinvertebrates, that help assess the biotic index of the water. They record the coordinates and location of each stop along with measurable data they obtain through the tools in their craft that include a pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature meter. From this data and what they can observe once they bring the samples back to the lab, the Indiana State students can learn more about the organic pollution and water quality of the Wabash River.

Personal Experience and Perceptions

Although the research is for scholarly purposes, that has not stopped Rusiniak from gaining personal experiences and knowledge on the Wabash. Katelyn was accustomed to white water rafting in Montana, where her family is from. Still, upon arrival at Indiana State, Katelyn was informed that the Wabash River was not “one of those rivers.” As it certainly does not provide the rapids needed for white water rafting, the Wabash does offer plenty of activities to take part in. This is something that became quickly evident to Rusiniak while doing her research. With the time accumulated on the Wabash during her study, Rusiniak has become comfortable navigating the water and even being in the waters. 

Changing Perceptions

As her research is planned to finish by the spring of 2022, Rusiniak hopes to change the stigma associated with the Wabash River and Terre Haute. Although it may not be overly publicized, Katelyn pointed out the many things available not only on the river but in its accompanying parks that range from kayaking to simply “watching nature happen.” Katelyn pointed out that the primary issue is people not willing to look for these activities or go out to find them. Through her project, Rusiniak was able to experience these activities firsthand and hopes to lead others too.