XENIA TWP — Ohio’s first state park dedicated to telling the story of Native Americans celebrated its grand opening this morning.
As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m., News Center 7′s Taylor Robertson talked to a present-day Shawnee Tribal member who traveled all the way to Ohio from Oklahoma to make sure their history is remembered correctly.
Glenna Wallace is the Chief of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, who came to honor the three federally recognized Shawnee Tribes.
“This is an example of what is just spreading across all of Ohio is recognition that Native Americans were here,” Wallace said.
Wallace said 60 people traveled to Ohio from Oklahoma for the grand opening.
“We have brought about 60 people here today from Oklahoma. We left at 430 yesterday morning,” Wallace said.
They made the around 12-hour drive to celebrate and honor the mark they made here in Ohio.
“There were 40-45 tribes here at one time, all been removed. Oftentimes, incorrect information is given about us. Many people think we’re dead, that there aren’t Indians anymore, and all of that is false,” Wallace said.
>> RELATED COVERAGE: New state park aims to honor one of largest-known Shawnee settlements in Ohio
That was just one of the reasons why Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made sure the present-day Shawnee Tribes played a role in how the history was told at the park.
“We tell a story of the Shawnees. And through them, we tell the story of all native Americans who were here in Ohio,” DeWine said.
Wallace said that once they are done at the park, they will be staying for three more days to check out other historical places important to their tribe.
“We’re so proud to be back in Ohio,” Wallace said.
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