[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1962-E1963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND SPIRIT OF JOYCE SNOWFEATHER MAHANEY AS THE 20TH 
      AMERICAN INDIAN INTERTRIBAL ASSOCIATION POWWOW IS CELEBRATED

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and spirit of 
Joyce Snowfeather Mahaney who, on June 23, 2006, passed from this life 
at the age of 59 years and ``started her westward journey.''
  Joyce Mahaney was born January 31st, 1947 on the Turtle Mountain 
Reservation in North Dakota of Chippewa parents, Alexander and Mary 
Frederick. Joyce was given the Indian Name ``Snowfeather''' as she was 
born during a snowstorm. Her father died when she was a toddler and her 
mother and other tribal members raised her. Inquisitive and always 
proud of her American Indian heritage, Joyce was well-schooled in the 
Tribal Customs and Laws. After completing high school on the 
Reservation, she attended Minot State College where she completed a 
Baccalaureate Degree in Education with a Minor in Library Science and 
Sociology. While in college, she met Russell Mahaney whom she later 
married, and they eventually moved to Toledo, Ohio, where she remained 
for over 30 years and raised her family.
  Although Joyce moved from the Reservation, she didn't leave it. She 
continued to have close contact with elders, relatives and friends. 
Throughout her life she supported her Native American heritage, 
becoming a spokesperson for all tribes of Native Americans in the State 
of Ohio and in Michigan and Indiana, in preserving the culture and 
traditions. Joyce was designated as a Pipe Carrier from the Turtle 
Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota which gave her 
permission from the elders of the tribe to conduct special religious 
and cultural services, including praying with Native Americans on death 
row. It is one of the highest honors provided to a member of a tribe.
  In an effort to preserve all tribal cultures, Joyce established the 
American Indian Intertribal Association (AIIA) of Toledo in 1988. It 
was the first organization of its kind in Ohio and the Midwest, and she 
served as the Director until her death. Her daughter then assumed 
leadership. The primary mission of the organization is to preserve the 
Indian culture by conducting traditional pow-wows, presenting programs 
and educational opportunities, providing culturally sensitive awareness 
in drug and alcohol prevention and participating in cultural events 
within the community as well as training through workshops and 
seminars. A further goal is to educate the general public about Native 
American cultural traditions, the desecration of Indian burial sites, 
and the exploitation of sacred ceremonies and cultural identities. In 
addition, the AIIA provides workshops in the schools and with local 
community organizations to maintain open contact with social service 
agencies and participate in the community. Joyce worked with social 
service agencies in applying the Indian Child Welfare Act by ensuring 
that Indian children were placed in homes where they would be exposed 
to their culture.
  Joyce was later instrumental in assisting in the expansion of the 
American Indian Intertribal Association's branch office in Cleveland as 
well as other Indian centers in Akron, Michigan and Indiana. Although 
she was Chippewa, she was an advocate for all members of all Tribes and 
Nations. Throughout her life, Joyce served as an activist in the 
preservation of her cultural heritage and traditions. She was active in 
the preservation of sacred Indian burial grounds in Maumee, Ohio in the 
1990's and frequently battled with archeologists and museums throughout 
Ohio regarding the application of NAGPRA (Native American Graves 
Repatriation Act) laws and the handling of Native American remains. 
Joyce was instrumental in the development of the 200th anniversary of 
the Battle of Fallen Timbers in which a stone monument was placed in 
remembrance of the warriors who lost their lives in the battle of 1794. 
There is currently activity underway by the City of Maumee to name a 
bridge in her honor at the sight of the Fallen Timbers Monument in 
which the Annual Summer Solstice Ceremony is held.

  Joyce is a published author of two books and was working on a third 
at the time of her

[[Page E1963]]

death. She received an award for her poetry at the Multicultural Arts 
Show in Toledo in 1997. The books include Prairie Winds (1995) and 
Spirit of Dakota (1999), a collection of prose and poetry about Native 
American culture, spirituality, and life on an Indian reservation.
  Joyce was held in high esteem by community and elected leaders, and 
throughout the years her efforts were recognized. In 1989, she received 
a proclamation from Governor Celeste declaring May 1-7, 1989 as 
American Indian Week. Additional recognition came for her establishment 
of the American Indian Intertribal Association; assisting in the 
preservation of the Indian burial mounds, the lands and the culture; 
the assistance in the erection of a historical marker at the site of 
Fallen Timbers National Park site in which she was also instrumental in 
the purchase of the battle sight; and her service to the Native 
American Advisory Council. She was honored by the City of Maumee when 
she led the presentation as a Native American representative in the 
``All American City'' competition in Anaheim California in June 2006, 
which was 2 weeks before her death.
  As a result of her work, Joyce has left a legacy for Ohio and the 
Midwest in the preservation of the Native Culture. The annual Pow Wow 
which will be celebrating it's 20th year this year, has attracted 
several thousand Native American and non-Native Americans to teach and 
remind us of the importance of the Native American heritage. It's 20th 
anniversary year with its theme ``Honoring the Elders'' seems a fitting 
time to memorialize its Founding Mother.
  Joyce Snowfeather Mahaney-- Activist, Teacher, Warrior, and Pioneer--
will long be remembered for the contributions and legacy she left. 
Throughout her life, she walked the Red Road. Her own words echo in 
fitting tribute to this extraordinary woman.

                             Walk Beside Me

     You are the warrior and the hunter and I am the humble power 
           behind the spear who will always guide your shield to 
           defend you. And you are the sister I met near the 
           stream.
     We sat on the rocks facing the morning sun and cleansed our 
           garments together.
     When you look into my soul, you will find the existence of a 
           very quiet and gentle spirit.
     Listen to my footsteps. If you hear the sound of refined 
           pebbles falling softly on Mother Earth, it is I.
     My spirit can always be found traveling north and south. I 
           follow Grandfather and travel the red road.
     The wind blows strong, but my steps never falter, as the 
           sacred pipe protects me.
     Come--Walk beside me. Together we have the power to change 
           the world. For I am not your enemy, I am your strength.

                          ____________________