ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — While First People Day is an opportunity to talk about history and culture, it’s also an opportunity to talk issues.
- The Metro Parks of Cuyahoga County hosted First People Day at the Nature Center in Rocky River.
- It featured music, performances and educational presentations
- Cynthia Connolly, with the Lake Erie Native American Council, gave a presentation on native visibility and representation, hoping to create awareness and educate the community
Cynthia Connolly, with the Lake Erie Native American Council, was one of several presenters. She gave a presentation on native visibility and representation, hoping to create awareness and educate the community.
“We’re just not adequately represented as 21th century people. We’re always what I call feathered and leathered in the 1800s,” said Connolly. “We’re your neighbors, your coworkers, rocket scientists at NASA Glenn, and we’re here and we’re very much a part of this community as well, especially here in Cleveland.”
Trudy Kovach came to learn more information, on how she can explore her ancestry.
“I grew up knowing I was a native of Standing Rock Sioux, my parents divorced when I was very young, so I was not brought up in the tradition of Standing Rock,” said Kovach.
While some topics were serious, there were still plenty of ways to celebrate culture, through music, dancing, and some pipestone carving.
It's all part of First People Day, where Billy Crowbeak presents 40 years of work.
“I’ve been here every time they’ve had it so far,” said Crowbeak.
Jen Graham and Beth Whiteley, with the Metro Parks, are hosting First People Day at the Nature Center in Rocky River.
“We just want folks to be aware of the native cultures that are in Northeast Ohio, and we’re in Northeast Ohio.”
It was indeed a day of celebration, but also education and understanding.