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Minohsayaki: Painted Robes

Open through April 26, 2026, 2nd Floor Gallery

Minohsayaki ‘Painted Robes’ presents the story of collaborative efforts by the Peewaaliaki (Peoria Tribe) and Myaamiaki (Miami Tribe), along with non-Native scholars, to reconnect with their historic practice of hide painting. This exhibition was graciously loaned by the Myaamia Heritage Museum & Archives and supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through the Humanities Without Walls Consortium, administered by the University of Illinois. It was first exhibited at the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum at Miami University in 2024 and is augmented with artifacts from the ISM’s Anthropology Collection that originate from historic Peoria Villages. The exhibition is part of the Reclaiming Stories project. 

Angular painting of the thunderbird or thunderbeing on a treated deer hide. The hide is well preserved but faded due to age.

Ciinkwia/ciinkweensa minohsaya ‘Thunder Being/Young ThunderBeing Painted Hide Robe’, mid 17th- mid 18th century. Natural pigments on deer hide, 42 3/8 x 47 3/4 inches. Image courtesy of the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac, 71.1878.32.134

Painted leather panels featuring two Indigenous designs on deer hide. The paint and hide have vibrant color since it was tanned and painted within in the last four years.

Morgan Lippert American. Eehtihsaminki miišaakana ‘painted leather panels’, 2022. Natural pigments on white-tailed deer hide, 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 inches (top) and 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches (bottom). Collection of the Artist.

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