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Home My WebLink About17-09 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 17-09 A RESOLUTION TO NAME THE CREEK THAT BEGINS ON MT. SEQUOYAH NEAR ROOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL "NIOKASKA CREEK" WHEREAS, in the fall of 2008, the Root Elementary School Green Team Committee notified the Fayetteville City Government that it "would like the opportunity to officially name the creek that begins in their backyard and eventually becomes part of the Illinois River;" and WHEREAS, after in-depth research and discussion by Root Elementary students and teachers. the winning essay and proposal was to name the creek "Niokaska" which is the ancient name used by the Osage when they referred to themselves; and WHEREAS, it is proper to use this Osage term because the Osage lived in our beautiful area long before Fayetteville was established; and WHEREAS, "Niokaska" means "Little Ones (or children) of the Middle Waters" so that it is very appropriate to name this creek originating near Root Elementary School. "Niokaska Creek"; and WHEREAS, currently this creek is an unnamed tributary that flows into the fairly recently named "Mud" Creek which flows a couple of miles further into Clear Creek; and WHEREAS, if the United States Board on Geographic Names would approve changing "Mud" to "Niokaska" Creek below the confluence of the Niokaska and Mud Creeks, "Niokaska Creek" could flow all the way to its confluence with Clear Creek in the City of Johnson. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the unnamed tributary that begins near Root Elementary School and flows into the current Mud Creek as "Niokaska Creek" and thanks the Root Elementary School Green Team, the Root students, teachers and staff for their work and excellent idea to name Niokaska Creek. PASSED and APPROVED this 3rd day of February, 2009. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: SV• .pz FAYETTEVILLE: !L' %9syf:RKANS:4t '%,,Nc,, Grors ,. SO RA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer LAKE FAYETTEVILLE LAKE l • CI NORTH.B1. S • ool Niokaska and Mud Creek Watersheds 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 1.25 1.5 Miles Map Document: (0.\GISWod rGregay_MitcfbNWbkaska CreeklMapsWiokaska_Creek_Walersheds rnxd) 113W2009 — 1:48:41 PM Niokaska Creek Watershed Mud Creek Watershed Parks Fayetteville City Limits AGENDA REQUEST FOR: COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2009 R ala/o9 /7-a9 ftmm'9 Afi 0 Rci 6M &r-< FROM: Adella Gray, Alderman Matthew Petty, Alderman ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TITLE AND SUBJECT: A Resolution To Name The Creek That Begins On Mt. Sequoyah Near Root Elementary School And Eventually Becomes Part OfTho T'—rois�i�rNio aska Creek" Clea.rCrect. n APPROVED FOR AGENDA: Adella Gray, Alderman Ma thew Petty, :ld •rman (96 .Ao\CL-N Kit Wilhams, City Attorney 7-02f—D91 Date 21 Zook Date /—l6 —oz Date FAYETTEVILLE THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS KIT WILLIAMS, CITY ATTORNEY DAVID WHITAKER, ASST. CITY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO: Lioneld Jordan, Mayor City Council FROM: Kit Williams, City Attorney DATE: January 16, 2009 RE• Root School Green Team requests the naming of "Niokaska Creek" Last fall, the Root Elementary School Green Team notified you that they "would like the opportunity to officially name the creek that begins in their backyard and eventually becomes part of the Illinois River." (Letter to Mayor and City Council attached.) The Root students diligently researched and discussed possible names. The winning proposal was a term the Osage Indians used to refer to themselves: "Niokaska" which means "Little Ones of the Middle Waters." This is very well explained in the winning essay also attached to this memo. Aldermen Petty and Gray asked that I draft a Resolution to officially name this currently unnamed creek: "Niokaska Creek" as requested by Root School. This also has been approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. I was happy to prepare the Resolution. This creek flows through Clarence Craft Park and Gulley Park until it meets Mud Creek in the Paradise Valley Golf Course. Connie Edmonston has examined the history of the name "Mud Creek". That creek had at least two other names in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and did not become "Mud" until around 1960. Frankly, I have never admired or understood the name "Mud" for that creek which usually flows crystal clear with fish, turtles and waterfowl below where Niokaska would flow into it. Therefore, I have included a second section of the Resolution for your consideration which would change "Mud" to "Niokaska" for that creek below the confluence of Niokaska at the golf course Above the confluence, Mud Creek would remain unchanged. If the City Council decides to change the name of the creek below the confluence with Mud to Niokaska, we would have to apply to the U S. Board on Geographic Names to get this changed on all official Federal maps. I have looked at that procedure which guarantees no quick answer, but I am willing to jump through all the federal hoops if the City Council would like to honor the Root Elementary School students' choice of name all the way to Clear Creek in Johnson. There is also a very short section of Mud Creek near the confluence with Clear Creek that is within Johnson. Therefore, we should get the City of Johnson's concurrence for the part within their city limits. There would be some fairly minor costs for changing existing signs along the "Mud Creek Trail" which would then become the "Niokaska Creek Trail." If the Parks Departments feels this expense is a problem, I would either pay for these new signs personally or ask for donations. If the City Council does not wish to rename that portion of Mud Creek to Niokaska below their confluence, simply amend the Resolution by removing Section 2. Section 1 only names the creek "Niokaska" from Root School to its confluence with the current "Mud" creek. Attached is a color map from our GIS Division showing what should be Niokaska Creek and Mud Creek before above the confluence (brown) and below the confluence (green). The Osage Indians are a people with a rich and full history. For nearly 300 years they lived and hunted for bison and other animals right here in our area. They were here before anyone else. The Osage were also known as fierce protectors of the land. Their entire family system was based on their strong connections with the Earth, sky, and water. This is why we are certain we should name our stream in honor of the Osage Indians. The name we have chosen is "Ni-O-Ka-Ska Creek." Ni-O-Ka-Ska is the ancient name used by the Osage when they referred to themselves. Its -translation means. "Lit le_Ones (or_children)-_lithe-Middle Waters. ". We believe this is the most appropriate name for the creek because it makes reference to both water and little ones — ust Additionally, our research and information states that the Osage were known for being smart and agreeable people. We come to school 5 days a week to become "smart" and "agreeable" people like the Osage Many of us cross ourlittle creek each morning on .our way to school on our quest for learning. Like the Osage, our teachers are chosen because they are wise. We don't call them the "Little Old Men" like the Osage called their teachers, but their -jobs -are just -the swift. They-wo±kwith-tm-from-an-early-age-te-help us learn all we need to know so that we can make good choices. As mentioned before, the Osage Indians were very environmentally conscious. They lived off the land but did not abuse it. In fact, they were extremely protective of the land and all of its creatures. We believe the ancient Osage Indian tribes would be most pleased with our efforts to name and protect the creek. In fact, part of the modern day Osage tribe of Oklahoma is very impressed by our efforts. We spoke with Mr. John Maker of the Osage Tribe Language Department. He thought that our name, "Ni- O-Ka-Ska Creek" was perfect because it was a body of water, near a school for children that was being named by children. Later in an email, Mr. Maker "applauded" us for "thinking of the Osages on this project." Finally, we believe "Ni-O-Ka-Ska Creek" would be the perfect name for our creek because of an important local connection. Mr. Charles Banks Wilson lives next to our creek. You may have heard of him. He is a well known artist who is famous for his paintings of ....yes, you guessed it! Osage Indians! Charles Banks Wilson has made a career of painting and portraying -the -Osage. Ike -has long been a resident of our communi and as mentioned, lives directly next to this un named creek. As you can see, our name "Ni-O-Ka-Ska Creek" is the perfect choice for this un -named creek. It would honor the Osage who were here before us, it would be a sort of tribute to Mr. Charles Banks Wilson, and it would represent us, the "Little Ones," who call this creek a part of our school. Root Elementary School Green Team Committee 1529 Mission 131vd. Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-445-1015 Mayor -and Council: The Fayetteville Public Schools, in cooperation with some local ecological sustainability groups, has endeavored into a district wide project called Green Schools. The Fayetteville Public Schools Green Team Committee coordinates and supports district -wide ecological sustainability activities as well as interaction between our program and those being conducted by the City of Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas. Each Fayetteville Public School Campus has its own Green Team Committee that routinely submits new Green Initiatives to educate the student body and community at large. Last year, for example, one of the Root Elementary School Green Team projects was replacing plastic forks and spoons with reusable metal flatware. The students have learned how to separate flatware from other trash when they return their lunch trays. This project has also reduced the amount of trash Root Elementary School produces every day. • The Green Team Committee from Root Elementary School would like to begin a project that would require a partnership between the Committee, the Mayor, and City Council Members. A recent newspaper article featured a story about the restoration of an "unnamed tributary of Mud Creek" that runs through Gulley Park. The tributary originates from a natural spring on Mt. Sequoyah right next to Root Elementary School, runs through Gulley Park, and eventually connects to Mud Creek close to Old Missouri and Joyce. The Root Green Team would like to use this opportunity as a year long project to learn about streams, their importance, and help educate the students about ways to keep our streams clean and healthy for generations to come. To make this project exciting to elementary students, the Root Green Team would like the opportunity to officially name the creek that begins in their backyard and eventually becomes a part of the Illinois River. This small act will have a lasting impact on the next generation of Fayetteville and serve as a positive partnership opportunity for the City of Fayetteville and the Fayetteville Public Schools. We are planning to announce the project to the students in October, and collect possible creek names through the holiday break. We hope to have a Council Member sponsor a Resolution officially naming the creek by February. We plan to have an official presentation of the newly named creek during our Earth Day festivities in April. The Root Green Team is asking the Mayor and City Council Members to join us in this unique opportunity to educate students and the community about basic watershed management. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Rica C A0kit' C4304. / in:clocx Jeaelvyz 4d- - fiTo. C761a1 tool S) c409 Prow RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION TO NAME THE CREEK THAT BEGINS ON MT. SEQUOYAH NEAR ROOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL "NIOKASKA CREEK" WHEREAS, in the fall of 2008, the Root Elementary School Green Team Committee notified the Fayetteville City Government that it "would like the opportunity to officially name the creek that begins in their backyard and eventually becomes part of the Illinois River;" and WHEREAS, after in-depth research and discussion by Root Elementary students and teachers, the winning essay and proposal was to name the creek "Niokaska" which is the ancient name used by the Osage when they referred to themselves; and WHEREAS, it is proper to use this Osage term because the Osage lived in our beautiful area long before Fayetteville was established; and WHEREAS, "Niokaska" means "Little Ones (or children) of the Middle Waters" so that it is very appropriate to name this creek originating near Root Elementary School, "Niokaska Creek"; and WHEREAS, currently this creek is an unnamed tributary that flows into the fairly recently named "Mud" Creek which flows a couple of miles further into Clear Creek; and WHEREAS, if the United States Board on Geographic Names would approve changing "Mud" to "Niokaska" Creek below the confluence of the Niokaska and Mud Creeks, "Niokaska Creek" could flow all the way to its confluence with Clear Creek in the City of Johnson. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the unnamed tributary that begins near Root Elementary School and flows into the current Mud Creek as "Niokaska Creek" and thanks the Root Elementary School Green Team, the Root students, teaches and staff for their work and excellent idea to name Niokaska Creek. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby renames (once permission is granted by the United States Board on Geographic Names) that portion of the current Mud Creek below its confluence with Niokaska Creek as the continuation of Niokaska Creek to its confluence with Clear Creek. (Any section of the Creek within the city limits of Johnson will only be renamed "Niokaska" with the concurrence of the City of Johnson.) PASSED and APPROVED this 3`d day of February, 2009. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: By: LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer MAIN DR wee* "- G`eat� _I, - - — — GREGG AVE DRAKE ST SYCAMORE ST NORTH ST 1 G J m N 1 . . GNZ 0.0FV�'gR` LAKE LUCJLLE LAKE FAYETTEVILLE I 1/1 ZION RD Q 41 00 AFF JOYCE BLVD • t elow J, ROWING HILLS DR NIB l� Gulley Park TOWNSHIP ST Clarence Craft Park O ! ttSstOt4 B.1 Root School Sweetbriar Park _ i O no 1 .. 1 t re"' 4 • .41 or \\ Proposed Niokaska Creek 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 N.Thles Map Document.(G:IGISWork2\Cxepoty_MnchdMlakaska GeeMMapsWtokaska_Greek.mxd) 1116/2009 — 3'01 19 PM ---- Mud Creek above confluence — Mud Creek below confluence Niokaska Creek _ - _ Fayetteville City Limits Parks Root School (Top) Clarence Craft Park (Bottom (:ullcPark 1 Next to Crossover (Top) SNs eethriar Park (Bottom) 1' p re /PT IT:a 11111I ati 1 • -• fr • 1 1 • rile I. ' , ;It It- • 1 - •1 • r • Ducks at Sweethriar Park (Top) Paradise Valley Golf Course (Bottom) • r N - Q �Y a� a�Tij w c 0 °O 412 5 o O Y S co Lc r Y N (13 C s N Q) 0) O LQ UL. c c, •- Q) L J _ U co'v ' t• • Q Washington County N i 1 .4)1- 0 4'1- N I C 00 I Y ZE i RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION TO AME THE CREEK THAT BEGINS ON MT. SEQUOYAH NE R ROOT ELEMENTARY SCHOO AND EVENTUALLY BECO ES PART OF THE ILLINOIS . IVER "NIOKASKA CREEK WHEREAS, in the fall of 2008, the Root Elementary S ool Green Team Committee notified the Fayetteville City Government that it "would like t opportunity to officially name the creek that begins in their backyard and ventually become .art of the Illinois River;" and WHEREAS, after in-depth research i nd discus on by Root Elementary students and teachers, the winning essay and proposal was . name e creek "Niokaska" which is the ancient name used by the Osage when they referred to ems • ves; and WHEREAS, it is proper to use this Osasj- term because the Osage lived in our beautiful area long before Fayetteville was established; WHEREAS, "Niokaska" means " le On (or children) of the Middle Waters" so that it is very appropriate to name this cree originating near Root Elementary School, "Niokaska Creek"; and WHEREAS, currently this creek is an unna ed tributary that flows into the fairly recently named "Mud" Creek whi flows a couple of mi es further into Clear Creek; and WHEREAS, if the Un' ed States Board on Geogra. is Names would approve changing "Mud" to "Niokaska" Creek .elow the confluence of the Ni. aska and Mud Creeks, "Niokaska Creek" could flow all the w to its confluence with Clear Cree c in the City of Johnson. NOW, THEREF 1 RE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THEITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTE LLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, A?kansas hereby names the unnamed tributary that begins near Root Elementary School and flows into the current Mud Creed as "Niokaska Creek" and thanks the Root Elementary School Green Team, the Root students, teaches and staff for their work and excellent idea to name Niokaska Creek. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas here. renames (once permission is granted by the United States Board on Geographic Names) at portion of the current Mud Creek below its confluence with Niokaska Creek as the continuation of Niokaska Creek to its confluence with Clear Creek. (Any section of the C ek within the city limits of Johnson will only be renamed "Niokaska" with the concurrence o the City of Johnson.) PASSED and APPROVED this 3'° tay of February, 2009 APPROVED: By: By: LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor ATTEST: NDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer Page 1 of 1 Clarice Pearman - Res. 17-09 From: Clarice Pearman To: Gray, Adella; Petty, Matthew Date: 2.9.09 1:03 PM Subject: Res. 17-09 CC: Audit; GIS Attachments: Audit; GIS Aldermen Gray & Petty: Attached is a copy of the above resolution passed by City Council regarding the naming of the Niokaska Creek. Please let me know if there is anything else needed for this item. Have a good day. Clarice Clarice Buffalohead-Pearman, CMC, CAMC City Clerk/Treasurer Division 479-575-8309 cpearman@ci.fayetteville.ar.us file://C:\Documents%20and%20 Settings\cpearman.000\Local%20Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\49902999FAY... 2.9.09