VINCENNES – Vincennes residents will soon re-imagine an underutilized area of the Vincennes Riverwalk and bring awareness to the indigenous peoples of Indiana if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $35,000 by June 17, 2023.
If successful, the project led by the Knox County CISMA and assisted by Wabash Valley Progressives will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program.
“The enhancement of the Vincennes Riverwalk will further engage and educate residents and visitors,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This campaign is the essence of the CreatINg Places initiative, blending a respect for the past with a vision for the future.”
Funds from this campaign will be used to renovate an underutilized part of the Vincennes Riverwalk into a park honoring the indigenous peoples of Indiana. By creating interpretive signage, adding a nature playground, developing a sample woodland Native American village, and adding native plantings this space will honor Native Americans and the Miami Nation. ‘Niihka’ roughly translates to ‘friends’ in the Miami (Myaamia) language.
“WVP is excited to work on this exciting and important project: the creation of a public park raising awareness about the indigenous peoples of the area,” said Will Drews, Wabash Valley Progressives (WVP) President. “Our group has been coordinating with the Miami Nation of Indiana on this park, and we are excited to bring recognition to their culture and language while creating a welcoming public park area along the Wabash River.”
Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Nonprofit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds of up to $50,000 per project.
