Jean Calvert Weaver is a historian who has done much work on Native Americans. Her research took her to Otho Winger's studies on the American Indian and his involvement with the Miami Indian Village School. This is where Otho had his first teaching assignment. Otho Winger's son, Paul, gave these items to Joan for her work on the restoration of the Miami Indian Village School. Joan was able to confirm that the photograph of the School on page 13 of Winger's book indeed picture the 18 year old Winger with the group of children. He is the 3d from the viewer's left on the second row. Joan has the original photograph in her possession. Joan did many interviews while working with the Miami, and the Governor's office, on the restoration of the school from 1993 - 1999. The swastika on the beaded sandals was a symbol employed by many cultures. "Wikipedia" identifies it as an ancient religious symbol and is considered to be a sacred and auspicious symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism and dates back at least 11,000 years. |