Ohio History Connection (OHC) has intensified its commitment to working with American Indian Tribal Nations. In 2015, OHC identified six American Indian sites for reinterpretation. The organization envisions developing an American Indian Policy Framework that defines tribal relations best practices, laws requiring consultation with federally recognized tribes, and standards for authentic programming at its sites.
Scope
OHC hired 106 Group to facilitate an interpretive summit in Oklahoma and a workshop in Ohio. The summit engaged tribes that have ties to Ohio and focused on the Serpent Mound and Fallen Timbers sites. The workshop engaged local partners at the Serpent Mound site. Our team developed meeting materials, facilitated the meetings, reported the results, and synthesized the outcomes into a series of themes and messages that lay the groundwork for comprehensive long-range interpretive planning.
Outcome
The OHC Director of American Indian Relations noted, “everyone left [the meetings] feeling like they really had an opportunity to share,” and that they’ve “never shared this much information with us, [which] reflects the groundwork that has been laid.” This information will inform interpretation at American Indian sites across the OHC system.
