Kaw Nation to dedicate park improvements

Public is invited to ceremony at historic site

The Kaw Nation will dedicate a new dance arbor, campsites and trails at Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015. Native dancers will perform at 3:30 p.m. at the dance arbor. Visitors should bring a lawn chair. The park is located three and one-half miles south of Council Grove on Dunlap Road, then one-half mile east on X Avenue. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The dedication will be led by Kaw Nation Tribal Council Chair Elaine Huch and council members Erin Kekahbah, Gena Warren, Jason Murray, Jim Lesert, Patti Kramer and Terry Pepper Clinton. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and KDWPT Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism Linda Craghead will also be on hand for the ceremony. Members of the Kaw Nation Kansas Projects Committee Ken Bellmard, Jason Murray, Skyler Mathews, Curtis Kekahbah, Pauline Sharp and Barb Stanbrough (Honorary) may also attend.

Council Grove was the last location of the Kanza People before they were removed to Indian Territory in 1873. On February 28, 2000, the Kaw Nation purchased 146.8 acres of their original land along Little John Creek, and it was dedicated as Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park on April 20, 2002. In August 2013, the Kaw Nation was awarded a $350,000 grant from the Kansas Department Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for a dance arbor and trails and campground improvements at the park. Groundbreaking for the arbor took place in September 2014. K-Construction from Alta Vista was selected to build the arbor, and it was completed in March 2015.

Mission Statement: To re-establish a Kaw Nation presence in Kansas and develop Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park as a cultural gathering place dedicated to educating the public, promoting tourism and preserving the heritage of the Kanza People.

For more information visit: www.kawnation.com