Community picnic to highlight Merry Lea's Native American heritage

Event: Community picnic to celebrate Merry Lea's Native American heritage
Date and time: Saturday, Aug. 15, 5-8 p.m.
Location: Luckey's Landing, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center – Wolf Lake, Ind.
Cost: The event is free; just bring a food dish to share.
For more information: Call Jennifer Schrock at (260) 799-5869 or e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu.

WOLF LAKE, Ind. – "Whispers of Grandmother Earth: Merry Lea's Native American Heritage" is the theme for an annual community picnic hosted by Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College and held at Luckey's Landing on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Dani Tippman, of Columbia City, Ind., will help visitors understand the Native American people who lived in this area and their relationship with the land. Tippman is director of the Whitley County Historical Museum and a member of the Miami people. Her presentation will begin at 6 p.m. and include plenty of time for questions.

According to a 1919 archaeological survey, the land that is now part of Merry Lea's nature preserve still contained signs of a small village site at that time. The report describes "bake or kettle holes." Holes about six feet in diameter had been dug in the ground and walled up with stone. They contained ash and charcoal in the bottom. Many arrow and spearheads were also found in nearby fields.

The fire pits are believed to have been part of a sandy ridge near Luckey's Landing. They are no longer visible, but picnic attendees will have the opportunity to visit the site if they are able to hike up the ridge. Wear close-toed shoes and socks due to poison ivy.

Tippman says that her ancestry has prepared her to think about the natural world in ways that are different from the dominant culture. When she began studying plants with a Miami elder, the woman left her alone with a plant for several hours. "What did the plant teach you?" her mentor asked when she returned. In the Miami worldview, plants have the capacity to teach, to reveal their unique character to those who care to learn and even to absorb sorrow.

The picnic is a family-friendly event. During the adult presentation, children will have the opportunity to play Miami games. Canoes are available from 7 p.m. until dusk. Luckey's Landing is a broad, grassy play area. Feel free to bring Frisbees or soccer balls.

The event is free to all, just bring a dish to share if you are coming to eat. Merry Lea is located in central Noble County, just south of Wolf Lake, Ind. For directions to Luckey's Landing or to RSVP, e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu or call (260) 799-5869.

Editors: For more information about this release or to arrange an interview, contact Jennifer Schrock at (260) 799-5869 or jenniferhs@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.