Quapaw Elders travel to Joplin for tribal history preservation

JOPLIN, Mo. — Members of a northeast Oklahoma tribe travel to Joplin to learn about the past and pass it on to the future.

Members of the Quapaw Nation Elders spent part of their Thursday touring the Joplin Museum Complex. While the trip did help them learn more about the impact their ancestors had on the area, it also helped them perform another task.

Quapaw Elder Grace Goodeagle said one of the roles the elders play in the tribe is passing on knowledge and history. She adds Thursday’s trip woke up memories for everyone that can be passed to the next generation.

“We think in terms of the ancestors before us, generations ago, they were thinking of us, and now with this generation, we’re thinking ahead. I’ve got family, I’ve got grandchildren and that kind of thing, and this is what families do, whatever your nationality is. You need to pass some of that information on,” said Goodeagle.

“The Quapaw owned a lot of the mining area, the tribal people had mining in Picher and this kind of follows along with them knowing a lot about their ancestors that did that,” said Brenda Murray, Quapaw Elder.

After the museum tour, the elders had lunch and met to discuss plans for their next gathering.