Haskell dedicates bench to Dr. Diane K. Mann

Nov 2007 -- Champaign, Ill. -- Students and faculty at Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, Kan., hosted a ceremony Oct. 4, to recognize the significant contributions of Dr. Diane K. Mann, ERDC-CERL researcher who died Feb. 19, 2007.  Mann had been a key player in efforts that culminated in ERDC’s signing an Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Haskell.  With a doctorate in anthropology, she was able to nurture a life-long interest and concern for Native Americans through her Haskell affiliation. Over the years, she hired several of the university’s students to work on her projects at ERDC.
The memorial ceremony took place at sunrise near the Eric Allen Greenhouse Grounds on Haskell’s campus.  Honored guests included Dr. John Mann, widower, and many family members. The ceremony opened with a grieving drum song by Jeremy Shield, a tribal singer from Montana.  Then, Benny Smith, Cherokee tribal elder, conducted a blessing and smoke cleansing.  The smoke cleansing involves the circle of life wherein limbs of trees and plants are pruned to make way for new life.  The smoke cleansing with various herbs specific to each tribal nation was used to cleanse those present so they could become renewed.

Haskell representative for the president, Freda Gipp, spoke a few words followed by Dr. Bill Severinghaus on behalf of CERL.  Many attendees then offered their remembrances of Mann, including students, faculty and friends.  It was a very solemn and touching ceremony that closed with a drum song and prayer.  A memorial bench with a plaque was dedicated to Mann’s memory.  This bench sits under a tree overlooking the traditional Caddo arbor that was built last year by CERL, CRREL, Forts Polk and Riley, Haskell students and others.  The arbor was the culmination of on-going research coordinated and sponsored by CERL, but is particularly significant as a product of the many years of dedicated service by Dr. Diane K. Mann.