Twin bills have been introduced in the Kansas House and Senate that would transfer ownership of the 12-acre Shawnee Indian Mission historic site in Fairway, Johnson County to the Shawnee Tribe.
The legislation, however, would forbid the tribe to use the land for a casino, stating the Shawnee Tribe would agree to “grant the state a historic preservation easement,” limiting the tribe to use the land based on “current federal preservation laws regarding properties listed as national historic landmarks.”
The bills also state the Shawnee Tribe would pay any costs to buy or acquire the land, which would not be subject to an outside appraisal.
State Rep. Adam Thomas, who introduced the measure in the House, said the Shawnees “are very prideful people who just want to preserve their society and historic meaning of these properties. They’re not looking for casinos, they’re not looking for anything other than our history and our legacy to be preserved.”
Thomas added he hasn’t been in contact with Fairway officials but he’s open to discussing the issue with them since “there is a lot of angst” about a potential transfer of ownership.
In a statement, Fairway City Administrator Nathan Nogelmeier said the city plans to continue “to ensure everyone, including Kansas legislators, knows why the Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site is bigger than any one story.” The statement noted tourists and “thousands of students” visit the site, which is a designated National Historic Landmark.
“If the state of Kansas conveys this land to the Shawnee Tribe, much of its history will be lost. We are hopeful the Kansas legislature will recognize what many saw nearly 100 years ago when the state acquired the site. Its whole story must be told,” the statement read.
The Shawnee tribe also issued a statement which said the tribe is glad “the legislature is moving forward with a bill to save the Shawnee Indian Mission.” It said tribal officials will talk with legislators about the Shawnee’s “commitment” to assuring the Mission “remains open to the public for generations to come.”
Thomas said he hasn’t heard any negative comments about the bill from other legislators. To date, according to the Kansas Legislature’s website, neither the House nor the Senate bills have any sponsors and no hearings have been scheduled.
