Special Spot in Sullivan County Gives You Glimpse to the Past
By: Kellie Bartoli
Updated: August 21, 2012
Deep in the woods of rural Fairbanks, Indiana rests a piece of our past, and a local group is working hard to give it a new life.
Indiana means Land of the Indians, and the Sullivan County American Indian Council is preserving that legacy.
Earlier this year, an archaeological dig discovered dozens of artifacts at a historical site in Sullivan County, and now you can see the past with your own eyes.
Welcome to the Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi mound - five acres of land, reminiscent of days long gone.
"We're trying to recreate a village that would has been many years ago," said Susan Petoskey, treasurer for the Sullivan County American Indian Council.
For the past year and a half, volunteers - including inmates from the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility - have been clearing hundreds of years of forestry, bringing the land back to what it once was.
"Without their help it wouldn't be nothing like it is today," said Indiana State Senator John Waterman (R - 39th).
Most recently, the area was home to pioneers in the 19th century.
But the Native American claim goes back to the year 500, where they lived off the land for 1,000 years.
This trail leads you to the mounds, where the natives would performs ceremonies honoring their creator and their ancestors.
And now, in 2012, the tradition is coming full circle.
"As a Native American it's very special because we're honoring our ancestors. For me especially, I'm Iroquois and my ancestors were in this area so it could have been possible that I may have had some ancestors here," said Petoskey.
The sacred mounds overlook offerings to the ancestors, native teachings, a teepee and even art created when lightening struck a tree.
"He's looking up in the air for peace and also for the future," said Petoskey. "Our native people believe in seven generations, and that carving is very depictive of that."
And while they've come so far...taking it back...the work is never done.
The group wants to add a well, campsite and even a museum.
And as they look to the future, the past is never far from their minds.
"Serenity of the location, the peacefulness. We've tried to re-create the times passed," said Petoskey.
Adds Waterman, "It's really a calming place, you can come out here you can sit, go back in the back and it just seems like it takes all the frustration out of your system."
The area is located in West Fairbanks on West County Road 825 North.
This September, the Council is hosting the ninth annual "Celebration of the Future" pow wow at Shackamack State Park, and the proceeds will benefit the historical site. The event is open to the public and costs $5 per Indiana vehicle and $7 for out of state.
For more information on the historical site, how to volunteer, or if you have a story from that area that you'd like to share, call (812) 696-2731. You can also visit their website by clicking here, or sending an email to scaicouncil@yahoo.com.
Indiana means Land of the Indians, and the Sullivan County American Indian Council is preserving that legacy.
Earlier this year, an archaeological dig discovered dozens of artifacts at a historical site in Sullivan County, and now you can see the past with your own eyes.
Welcome to the Waapaahsiki Siipiiwi mound - five acres of land, reminiscent of days long gone.
"We're trying to recreate a village that would has been many years ago," said Susan Petoskey, treasurer for the Sullivan County American Indian Council.
For the past year and a half, volunteers - including inmates from the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility - have been clearing hundreds of years of forestry, bringing the land back to what it once was.
"Without their help it wouldn't be nothing like it is today," said Indiana State Senator John Waterman (R - 39th).
Most recently, the area was home to pioneers in the 19th century.
But the Native American claim goes back to the year 500, where they lived off the land for 1,000 years.
This trail leads you to the mounds, where the natives would performs ceremonies honoring their creator and their ancestors.
And now, in 2012, the tradition is coming full circle.
"As a Native American it's very special because we're honoring our ancestors. For me especially, I'm Iroquois and my ancestors were in this area so it could have been possible that I may have had some ancestors here," said Petoskey.
The sacred mounds overlook offerings to the ancestors, native teachings, a teepee and even art created when lightening struck a tree.
"He's looking up in the air for peace and also for the future," said Petoskey. "Our native people believe in seven generations, and that carving is very depictive of that."
And while they've come so far...taking it back...the work is never done.
The group wants to add a well, campsite and even a museum.
And as they look to the future, the past is never far from their minds.
"Serenity of the location, the peacefulness. We've tried to re-create the times passed," said Petoskey.
Adds Waterman, "It's really a calming place, you can come out here you can sit, go back in the back and it just seems like it takes all the frustration out of your system."
The area is located in West Fairbanks on West County Road 825 North.
This September, the Council is hosting the ninth annual "Celebration of the Future" pow wow at Shackamack State Park, and the proceeds will benefit the historical site. The event is open to the public and costs $5 per Indiana vehicle and $7 for out of state.
For more information on the historical site, how to volunteer, or if you have a story from that area that you'd like to share, call (812) 696-2731. You can also visit their website by clicking here, or sending an email to scaicouncil@yahoo.com.
