Film Columbus and the Greater Columbus Arts Council acknowledge that the land we are positioned on is the traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. We reside on land that was cared for and called home by the Kaskaskia [Ka-ska-skee-uh], Shawandasse [Sha-wan-dez] Tula (Shawnee), and Myaamia (Miami) people and their ancestors. The land was ceded to the United States by Cession 11 (Treaty of Greenville) in 1795.

The ancient ancestors who cared for these lands and built earthworks created significant works of architecture and fine craftwork and artwork. Artisans from Ohio’ ancient Indigenous cultures were expert carvers of pipestone and used Grizzly bear teeth, fresh water pearls, seashells, sharks’ teeth, copper and silver to make elegant pieces.

By offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm tribal sovereignty and will work to be accountable to American Indian peoples and nations.

This is an archaeological belief but not an Indigenous belief. Our tribal partners, (the tribes named in the Treaty of Greenville) know through their stories, songs and oral tradition that the ancient ancestors (called Adena and Hopewell by many archaeologists) are their direct ancestors in some instances.