New Statehouse Gavels Made from Newark Earthworks Tree

"Miami Tribe of Oklahoma member Jody Gamble made the small ceremonial gavels
using wood from a North American red oak tree believed to have been at least 225 years old.
They were presented to the Ohio Legislature in honor of Statehood Day."
Image and Caption Courtesy of Miami University.

March, 4, 2015.

Emily Maddern, of the Newark Advocate, has written an interesting article about the recent gift of ceremonial gavels to the Ohio Legislature in celebration of Statehood Day
by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the Ohio History Connection.

"George Ironstrack, a member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, said the man who carved the gavel was honored to not only be involved in the project but to have the Ohio History Connection recognize Ohio is a part of the tribe’s homelands and what a powerful symbol the red oak tree was.

“Our people aren’t mound builders, but Ohio is the landscape that our people lived on and we traveled through,” Ironstrack said. “The tree kind of symbolizes the rootedness, the connectedness to a place for lots of different people who have called Ohio home over time and a shared desire to protect those places.” "

-Emily Maddern, The Newark Advocate.

To read the full article, click here.

For more information,

Visit:

• The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
• Ohio History Connection
• Statehood Day
• March 4.
• The Ohio Legislature
• Newark Earthworks
• Ancient Ohio Trail
• Ohio History Connection and Miami Tribe Present Ceremonial Gavels to Ohio Legislature
• Brad Lepper, Ohio History Connection Archaeology Blog, March 4, 2015.
• Ohio History Connection Presents Historic Gavel to Ohio House on Statehood Day
• Cliff Rosenberger, The Ohio House of Representatives, March 4, 2015.
• Gavels Handmade by Miami Tribe member presented to Ohio Legislature
• Margo Kissell, Miami University, March 17, 2015.