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Miami mourns loss of Floyd Leonard, Chief of the Miami Nation

03/10/2008

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Chief Leonard (center) with Fred Wall, of Miami's board of trustees (left) and David Hodge, at Hodge's presidential inauguration

Chief Floyd Leonard, Chief of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, and friend to Miami University for decades, died Saturday, March 8, at the age of 82.

Chief Leonard had been an educator and leader all his adult life. He served as chief of the Miami Nation from 1974-1982 and again from 1989-present, and led numerous efforts to unite the tribe and the university, to the benefit of members of both.

The Leonard Learning Center, an early childhood learning center spearheaded by the chief's leadership, serves hundreds of children in Miami, Okla., the tribe's home, and receives tribal, state and federal support. Chief Leonard collaborated with Miami University to establish the Heritage Scholarship that supports Miami tribal members attending Miami University. Since 1991, 56 tribal students have studied at the university with 18 earning bachelors' degrees, four earning masters'.

Leonard was instrumental in crafting the 2001 agreement that created the Myaamia Project at the university, headed by tribal member Daryl Baldwin, to preserve and share the Miami language and culture. A year later, the tribe and the university formally signed the Myaamia Collection Agreement to provide a central repository for Miami Indian historical, cultural and linguistic resources that would be accessible to the Miami tribal community and academic researchers. The collection is housed in King Library and the Miami University Art Museum.

Chief Leonard has been to campus at least yearly for public programs that educate about the Miami Tribe and even brought chiefs of other tribes to campus for programs. He and former Miami President Phillip Shriver especially, in their shared interest in history and education, worked together to build a relationship between the tribe and the university. Over the years, they jointly have presented history programs about both Miamis. Leonard spoke at three Miami presidential inaugurations - in 1994 for Paul Risser, in 1997 for James Garland and in 2006 for David Hodge.

"Miami University has lost a great friend. Relationships were important to Chief Leonard and he effortlessly built meaningful relationships throughout the university community, and particularly with our students, welcoming them to the tribe's home and sharing the rich heritage of the Miami Tribe," said Miami University President David Hodge. "Chief Leonard was also a visionary for the Miami Tribe, working tirelessly to strengthen its cultural and educational opportunities and to rebuild its economic base."

Leonard has welcomed student groups and faculty and staff visitors to Miami, Okla., since 1993 for specific class programs, powwows and other opportunities. Recent visitors were architecture students and students from the Institute for Environmental Science who attended a stomp dance in January. His legacy continues with newly established school psychology and special education summer programs within the School of Education, Health, and Society.

Over the years, Chief Leonard spoke to various alumni gatherings about the history and the current operations of the Miami Tribe.

Leonard's contributions to education began in 1950, when he taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Missouri. He earned his bachelor's degree while attending night school at Pittsburg State University and eventually earned two additional degrees, a master of education and an education specialist. Leonard continued his career in education as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in a career spanning nearly 40 years. In teaching and in leading the tribe, he paid close attention to people's literacy skills. He received an Honorary Doctor of Education degree from Miami in 2005.

Leonard served in the U.S. Coast Guard from June 1943-April 1946 including duty aboard a U.S. Navy tanker in the South Pacific from May 1944-January 1946.

He was currently chairman of the Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. of Northeast Oklahoma. He previously served on the Claremore Indian Hospital Health Board, the Seneca Indian School Advisory Board and the United States Catholic Bishops Advisory Council.

The funeral service is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, at Miami Nation Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Chief Leonard Memorial Fund/Myaamia Project, with details on the tribe's Web site, www.miamination.com.

Leonard is survived by his wife Pat, son Joseph, who teaches management at Miami University, daughter-in-law Etsuko and two grandchildren, Wesley and Mika, who are Miami University alumni.