The Native American Community | Equitable Engagement in Franklin County Metroparks

The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives

The Native American peoples throughout Ohio have unique, dynamic histories. As Franklin Co. Metroparks enhances its connections with multicultural groups in the central Ohio area, input from our resident Native American peoples will be critical in creating a more equitable parks system. There are a variety of ways in which Franklin Co. Metroparks can engage Native American cultural groups, the first step being acknowledgment.

Native Americans throughout Ohio’s history

Native American history throughout all of Ohio, including Central, is vast. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have made their lives on land that is now known as Ohio. In the late 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Shawnee, Seneca-Cayuga, Lenape, Wyandot, Ottawa, and the Myaamia tribal groups occupied the state.¹ However, competition between the British and French over trade increased violence towards Ohio’s Native Tribes.¹ The continuous arrival of settlers and violence towards their peoples pushed Ohio’s native tribes further and further west.¹ Within the next 100 years, all of the remaining members of Ohio’s native tribes would be forcibly be removed altogether.¹ Similar tactics were used for other Native American populations in all states and territories.¹

Pictured Left: A map of the different tribal territories throughout Ohio between the 17th and 19th centuries.²

Further research by the Federal and State government found the remains of an additional 11 tribes in addition to 6 above that had previously noted in historical texts.¹ An immeasurable amount of culture and history was lost with the eradication of Ohio’s (and all states) Indigenous people.

Today, Ohio is home to Indigenous peoples from all over the world.³ However, there is still a great deal of suffering and disillusionment for Native Americans throughout the nation, including Ohio.

Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO)

For a clearer look at Native American perspectives in the central Ohio area, I spoke with Ty Smith of the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO). Originally founded by Selma Sully-Walker, NAICCO is the leading non-profit resource center for Native Americans in the state of Ohio. Built on the pillars of Social Development, Economic Development, and Cultural Preservation, NAICCO provides a home sense of home and programming for Native Americans of all tribal affiliations throughout Ohio.³ As of summer 2021, NAICCO is actively working on its NAICCO Cuisine project. The product of a grant, NAICCO Cuisine’s traveling food events aim to engage and educate Ohio citizens on Native American traditional cuisines.³ This project supports the organization’s central tenants of cultural preservation and economic development by creating a pro-native environment and increasing area employment.³

Pictured Left: NAICCO’s current Executive and Project Directors, Masami and Ty Smith. Both Masami and Ty are dedicated to preserving Native American cultures and improving the lives of Native American families. For input on the Franklin Co. Metroparks Equitable Engagement Capstone Project, we spoke with Ty (right). Image courtesy of NAICCO.⁴

Barriers and Constraints

As examined, the marginalization of Native Americans throughout Ohio’s history has left Ohio’s native peoples with considerable obstacles. These obstacles extend to the enjoyment of the Metroparks and other Central Ohio areas. When asked to characterize the challenges the Native American faces, Ty noted prominent themes:

Invisibility –

Many throughout Ohio are not aware of the Native American presence in the state.³ According to the United States Census, almost 500,000 people in Ohio identify as Native American, Native Alaska, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.⁵ While many likely identify with their Native American heritage differently, all need resources and support. NAICCO is the only organization in Ohio of its kind; to engage their members, more organizations should be reaching out to them to lend a helping hand in support. Moving forward, more effort is needed to call attention to this demographic’s presence and influences in the state.

Misidentification –

Assumptions about Native Americans; their appearances and preferences are prevalent undertones in our society. Their categorization as “other” permeates into everyday feelings of isolation.³ Assumptions and tokenization MUST be left behind. Like all other identity groups, Native Americans are active and important members of our Columbus community. Respect and increased education on the various Native American cultures will be necessary to stop the spread of misinformation and misunderstanding.

A Lack of Culturally Sound Spaces –

“Little Italy”, “Chinatown”, “Germantown”. These are all cultural centers for various groups in any given metropolitan areas. These communities typically include culturally owned businesses, restaurants, and entertainment. Cultural spaces such as these seldom exist for the Native American community.³ In Central Ohio, their cultural epicenter is an office building and a parking lot. There is a growing need for Native American cultural spaces, especially in outdoor amenities.

Overall Considerations – Improving Visibility

In terms of NAICCO’s current relationship with Columbus area parks, Smith noted that, similar to many other organizations, NAICCO often uses parks for meetings and events.³ With a preference for the remote and shelter houses for large groups, participating NAICCO members enjoy the outdoor opportunities Central Ohio has to offer.³ However, to support NAICCO’s mission and combat the barriers Native Americans face, Metroparks should consider the following engagement opportunities.

Acknowledgment –

Native Americans want to be seen.³ Whether or Ohio moved or new residents, they want to feel welcome and safe in all Ohio areas. Acknowledgment of presence, historical land, and outreach to Native American community organizations such as NAICCO are the crucial starting points. Metropark possibilities:

Education pieces on the Native American presence and history in Central Ohio.³ Working with Native Americans to develop these items would ensure their accuracy and establish connections.

Park signs acknowledging historically Native American lands. This educates park visitors about the history of the land and spreads awareness of Native American history.

Providing Native American-specific resources, such as pamphlets highlighting NAICCO and similar cultural organizations, so visitors are aware of their existence. Doing so not only educates non-Native Americans about support opportunities; but also connects Native Americans in need to beneficial services.

Creation of a Culturally Sound Space for Gatherings –

It is no mystery Ohio was historically Native American land. The very parks Franklin Co. Metroparks operates were all once home to Indigenous Nations to varying degrees.² In an effort to honor that heritage, Franklin Co. Metroparks should consider creating Native-specific areas for their community gatherings. To engage in this manner, Metroparks could:

Build or designate areas, in conjunction with organizations such as NAICCO, for cultural gatherings.³ These could be shelter houses, bar-b-que areas, green spaces, etc. A similar project was completed at the National Park level; the agency designated special places for Native American gatherings.⁶ The creation of cultural spaces is critical for the Native American community.

Create schedules for Native Americans to use Metropark spaces so they may gather in a variety of ways. Accessible schedules for all would ensure the spaces are actively used.

Pictured Right: An image taken from the Duckwater Shoshone Festival at The Great Basin National Heritage Area.⁶ Part of the National Park Services, National Heritage Areas are Congress designated areas of cultural preservation. Many National Heritage areas have tribal affiliations and collaborate on events and conservation activities. This is potential inspiration for cultural spaces within Franklin Co. Metroparks.

Image by Krisit Filman.

NACCIO IS interested in with Franklin Co. Metroparks to develop ways to increase Native American use of its Central Ohio parks.

To learn more about NAICCO, please visit their website at https://www.naicco.com/.

To communicate further with Ty Smith about these potential projects, please reach out to NAICCO’s email at naicco1975@gmail.com.

Acknowledgments

I would like to take this section to thank Ty Smith of NAICCO for taking the time to speak with me on the variety of ways Franklin Co. Metroparks can increase engagement with Central Ohio Native Americans.

References

¹ American Indians—Ohio History Central. (n.d.). Ohio History Connection. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/American_Indians.

³Smith, T. (personal communication, April 6, 2021).

⁵U.S. Census Bureau. (2019). United States Census Bureau: Ohio Quick Facts [Data File]. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/OH.

⁶ National Park Service. (n.d.). National Park Service Working with American Indians, Alaska Natives And Native Hawaiians. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/history/tribes/Heritage_Areas.htm

Images

² The Ohio Historical Society (n.d.). Historic American Indian Tribes of Central Ohio. https://www.rrcs.org/Downloads/Ohios%20historic%20Indians%2038%20pages.pdf

⁴ Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio. (n.d.). NAICCO Website. Retrieved April 23, 2021, from https://www.naicco.com