*Back row L-R: Oscar McCoonse, Frank Grinnell, William McCoonse, Anderson Spooner, Charles Spooner, Henry McCoonse, Ona Grinnell, unidentified man, Harry Bittenbender, Peter Herron, Nicodemus Hurr, John Plake, Clinton Plake, George Elliott, Bruce Plake
*Middle row L-R: Mrs. Thomas Lewis, William Donohoe, Mrs. Julia Davis-Jones, Emeline Herron, Mrs. Julia Ann McCoonse-Bittenbender, Matilda Herron, William Kilbuck, Jane Ellen Donohoe, Henrie Donohoe, Mary Alice McCoonse, Mary Ann Herron, Mrs. Rosa Ann McCoonse-Grinnell, Mrs. Anna Spencer- Donohoe with infant Katy Veix, unidentified man, James Donohoe, Mrs. Mary Catherine Keecheninnee-Neff holding Dudley Neff, George Veix, Mrs. Edith Romig Kilbuck, ----- Plake, Rev. Joseph Romig, unidentified woman, Sabilla Ellen Plake, Mrs. Josephine Caleb-Grinnell, Mrs. Theresa Donohoe-Blackburn, John Thomas, Mrs. Mary Ann Levey-Kilbuck, unidentified woman, Joseph Kilbuck, Ma-kose-to, ----- Plake, ----- Plake, C. Murphy (Indian Agent), unidentified woman, Mrs. Ellen Ma-ko-se-too, unidentified man, Mrs. Ellen Crone-Samuel, Mrs. Alice Walker-Caleb, ----- Plake, Mrs. Minnie Marks-Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson Spooner, Sarah Whitedeer
*Front row L-R: Robert McCoonse, William Caleb holding Albert Caleb, Rufus Caleb, Mrs. Grace Baker-Caleb, unidentified boy, Francis Plake, Jacob Gokey, Mrs. Josephine Wilcoxon-Plake, lunknown male child, Lewis Thomas, unidentified girl, unidentified girl, Julia Veix, Cora Veix, Joab Samuel, Mrs. Sabilla Caleb-Elliott, Charles Elliott, Frederick Elliott, James Elliott, Ignatius Caleb, unidentified man holding Anna Whitedeer
(Courtesy of the Moravian Church Archives)
Our Mission
Combining our efforts and building community towards a common goal of preserving the past and ensuring the future.
Our Impact
The Munsee Tribe In Kansas
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Connection
From their conversion to Christianity to their century-long journey from New York to the Ottawa Hills of Kansas, the Munsee Tribe in Kansas have a fascinating history of challenges, strife, solidarity, faith and family.
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governance
Our constitution is a living document that is grounded in the tenets of our Munsee heritage and reflects the interests of the collective tribe with the goal of preserving our history and community for the benefit of future generations.
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work
The Munsee have always worked to maintain their way of life, despite embracing Christianity and making peaceable compromises. Today we work together to honor our past and preserve our future.
Action
As a tribal member, it is your duty and honor to assist the community in action. We encourage all tribal members to get involved in one or more of the following programs. We welcome the assistance of non-tribal members to help realize the our goals.
TRIBAL GOVERNANCE
Get involved with the governance of the tribe, whether working alongside tribal leaders on our governing documents and meetings, partnering with fellow tribes or working with our federal, state and local representatives, we encourage your participation.
historian
We are the “original people.” Our history begins centuries ago and continues to the present day. It is essential that we make our history understandable and accessible, not only for our tribe, but for the world.
community outreach
Get involved in the events we have planned for the tribe and community at large. We need your help! Whether we are planning a celebration or paying quiet reverence to the past, you will work with all of the tribe’s action groups with the goal of communication and involvement.
public relations
Keeping our tribe connected to each other and the community at large is of utmost importance. As a tribe, we have so many stories to share. If you are a talented communicator or writer, or aspiring to be one, the tribe welcomes you to dedicate you talent to capturing and sharing our history and current work.
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Indian Commissioner George W. Manypenny - 1854
“They cannot again be removed. They must meet their fate upon their present reservations and there be made a civilized people, or crushed and blotted out."
A Fragment of Kansas Land History - Kansas Historical Society/ Read Full Article
Get Involved
If you are a descendant of the Munsee Tribe in Kansas, take this opportunity to learn more about your ancestry and traditions so that you can share the history of the tribe with future generations. Get involved in the Munsee community and government. Start by connecting through the Munsee Tribe in Kansas Facebook page.
Share your time
Interested in volunteer opportunities? Learn more about how to get involved!
share your talent
Are you experienced and skilled in a trade or craft? Let us know more!
Donate
Financial contributions are used to support the tribe’s goal of federal and state recognition.