INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, INDIANS & NATIVE AMERICANS

Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Delegation to Washington, DC, 1865.  














 
Statement of Purpose

We believe that Illinois’ deep past is not merely a subject of archaeological curiosity—it is a living cultural inheritance that demands respect, stewardship, and inclusive storytelling. This initiative exists to advocate for the protection, education, and celebration of prehistoric and Indigenous heritage sites throughout Illinois, from the effigy mounds of Chicago to the ceremonial avenues of Cahokia.

Our Mission is Threefold:
  1. Preserve vulnerable archaeological and sacred landscapes from erasure, looting, and neglect.
  2. Educate the public and policymakers about the historical significance and spiritual importance of these sites through accessible resources, community engagement, and curricular support.
  3. Honor Indigenous voices and historical truths by amplifying Native perspectives, fostering collaborative research, and challenging distortive narratives rooted in colonial interpretation.
We reject the notion that cultural heritage is static, niche, or solely academic. It is dynamic, political, and deeply human—interwoven with questions of identity, land, and memory. Our work is not simply about artifacts and mounds; it is about justice, visibility, and legacy.

Through storytelling, scholarship, and advocacy, we seek to protect the sacred, restore the misrepresented, and reawaken public consciousness to Illinois’ ancient roots. The soil speaks—we are here to listen, to preserve, and to act.



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