“Native Neighbors from Franklin County’s Past” plans to feature descendents from several Native American tribes that once settled in Franklin County. The event, which will include Native American food booths, short films and several performances, is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Washburn Towers, 526 S. Main St., Ottawa.
“This aspect of local history is little known,” the Franklin County Historical Society wrote in a release. “The goals of the event are to establish contact with these native groups who once were our neighbors, to share the Native America experience with everyone, to capture it on film for future interpretive use in the Old Depot Museum and elsewhere, and to offer a presentation that will be both entertaining and educational about the issues of Indian removal policies of the past.”
Matt Matthews, Civil War historian, is expected to give a lecture on the Indian Brigade and refugee natives enrolled in local military units. A dance group from Ottawa County, Okla. — where many tribes were sent in the 1800s — will educate the audience on native dress, dance, drumming and music.
Parking is available behind or to the west of Washburn Towers, organizers said.