The lands are located in southern Indiana and Peebles, Ohio, respectively. The latter borders Serpent Mound, an effigy mound created by Indigenous Americans dating back thousands of years.
“We believe that the most likely architects of that site were Shawnee people, were our own ancestors, so we feel that site is vitally important,” Barnes said. “It’s our hope that the acquisition of that parcel is the first of many to securing a buffer around Serpent Mound so that we can help preserve that site in perpetuity.”
Barnes said the tribe – today headquartered in northeast Oklahoma – can help protect the site as a result, and that he hopes the mound will be granted “World Heritage” status…