Goshen and its surrounding region has rich history as land of the Potawatomi and Miami nations. To honor Indigenous Peoples Day, the City of Goshen Community Relations Commission will provide an opportunity for residents of all ages to learn this history.
The CRC will host an Indigenous Peoples Day event at the Goshen Theater Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 6–8 p.m.
Doors at the Theater open at 6 p.m. with activity and information tables and an informative program starting in the theater auditorium at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.
In the lobby, tables for the Goshen Public Library and the Goshen Historical Society will have reading materials and resources to learn about our local history.
A table led by members of the Miami Tribal Historic Preservation Office will teach the art of ribbon work to people of all ages. Rooting through Corn, a local organization, will have a table with information about adapting corn to our region amid a changing climate.
In the auditorium, presenters and tribal historic preservation officers Matthew Bussler and Diane Hunter will share some history of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi and the Miami tribe in Indiana respectively.
Luke Gascho, former executive director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center and author of the book “Tilling Soil on Stolen Land,” will present on indigenous land use.
Zuleyja Prieto, co-founder of Rooting through Corn, will speak on the connection to heritage and community formed by observing indigenous principles while gardening. Finally, local musician Nayo Ulloa will close the evening with live music, playing a sampling of native Andean music.
“The speakers and tables we are showcasing are inspiring,” AJ Delgadillo, Community Relations Director, said of the presenters. “Each comes from a broad range of backgrounds and in their own way they’ll offer us an opportunity to learn, be in awe, and get a better idea of where we fit into history, geography, and hopefully even where we fit into our Goshen community.”