Native History Project highlights heritage

Speakers challenge IUK to provide classes in tribal languages, history

Indiana University Kokomo played host last week to a panel of Native Americans whose goal was to share a little of their heritage and history with the community. And the message they delivered was highlighted by a challenge to the university.

Speakers Sally Tuttle, Michael Pace, Diane Hunter and John Warren share their history and hopes for the future for Native Americans at the Native History Project presentation at Indiana University Kokomo.

The Native History Project, organized by the Kokomo Early History Learning Center, focused on the history of Native Americans in Indiana. Speakers from four tribes explained how Howard County sits within the only reservation established in Indiana, and they detailed how that land was gradually taken from the tribes.

But the history was just a small part of the program. The most gripping moment was when the speakers turned their attention to their host.