Reclaiming Kokomo’s Native history, heritage

Kokomo Native Project hosts program April 21 to educate, connect on Native issues

The city of Kokomo sits in the middle of the only Indian reservation in the state. The city is named after a Miami native. Mayor Tyler Moore is a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. And yet the community knows very little of its Native American history and heritage.

The Kokomo Early History Learning Center hopes to remedy this with its first presentation, the Kokomo Native Project: Heritage and Homeland, taking place on April 21 at Indiana University Kokomo.

According to historian Gil Porter, the event is a first for any city. Kokomo is unique by being a part of an event to reclaim its Native heritage.

“We are honored that the mayor is a part of this,” said Porter. “We have come full circle, from the Miami removal to a Miami being the leader of the community. We want people to walk away knowing that we are speaking with authority on Native American history.”

The event includes two discussions, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Speakers from four different Native American tribes will be featured, including representatives from the Pokagon Potawatomi, Delaware Lenape, Miami tribe of Oklahoma, and Choctaw tribe of Oklahoma.

The purpose of the event, according to organizer and speaker Sally Tuttle, is to inform people of the modern Native community as well as the Native heritage of Kokomo.

“The biggest problem I see is it is always about the past,” said Tuttle. “And that’s great. I don’t want to forget about our history. But there is nothing about the fact that we live here today. We pay taxes and have jobs here. And we have our own governments.

“There is nothing said about what is currently going on in the Native community. That is what this event is about. History is good, but I want people to know that there is a Native government providing services that are offered to people living here.”

Tuttle explained that the speakers will focus on issues like sovereignty and unity, emphasizing the fact that Native American tribes and their governing bodies are active today and should be recognized and embraced by the larger community.

“We’re hoping this is successful since we have the city involved,” said Tuttle. “Getting mayors to recognize their communities are on Native American land; we want them to own that fact. We want them to be aware, and we want to educate them. I’m hoping this will help our local Native community connect.”

As a direct descendant of the Richardvilles of the Miami tribe, Mayor Moore has an intimate tie to the history of Howard County and its Native heritage. He is proud to be a part of the Kokomo Native Project.

“It’s huge,” said Moore. “It is transformative. Having representatives from the tribal nations here is important. I’d love to see this type of forum occur throughout the state. The state commission is excited that we have brought this discussion together. I hope this plants a seed for other communities to embrace their Native heritage.”

More than anything, Tuttle wants people to know that the Kokomo Native Project and this event are not focused on making people feel ashamed for how Native Americans were treated by the government more than a century ago.

“I don’t want people to feel guilty or apologize,” said Tuttle. “I want people to help tell the true message, an honest view of the past. Don’t feel bad. Help us tell the story.”

Kokomo Native Project: Heritage and Homeland is open to the public and is possible thanks to the participation of the Kokomo Early History Learning Center, the Howard County Historical Society, Indiana University Kokomo, the City of Kokomo, and Howard County government. The program is presented with the support of the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission.

No proof Kokomo was named for “an ornery Indian.”

For decades, Kokomo residents have been told a tall tale about the origin of the city’s name. In the 1930s, an apocryphal story emerged that said the city’s founder, David Foster, named Kokomo after “an ornery Indian” he knew. According to local historian Gil Porter, that story isn’t accurate or supported by historical records.