North American First Peoples Day Panel Discussion

Date and Time

• Monday, Oct 5, 2026  6pm - 8pm

Location

visit website

Details

Join members of the Northern Cheyenne and Akron communities for a panel discussion on the annual Portage Path Walk, which helped inspire North American First Peoples Day in Akron and Summit County.

Panelists will share the history of this unique initiative, which grew from a longstanding cultural exchange between The Lippman School and the Northern Cheyenne Nation. They will discuss how student-led advocacy, community partnerships, and cross-cultural relationships led Akron City Council to establish North American First Peoples Day in 2018, followed by Summit County's adoption of a companion resolution in 2019. Unlike many communities, Akron and Summit County created a distinct holiday dedicated to honoring Native American history, culture, and contributions.

The conversation will also explore the significance of the historic Portage Path, the origins and impact of the annual commemorative walk, and the ongoing importance of cultural preservation, education, and Indigenous representation.

Additional participants may include former Lippman School students whose testimony helped make the case for the resolution before Akron City Council. This panel discussion will be moderated by Sam Chestnut, chief of staff for Jewish Akron.

This program offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the individuals whose collaboration, advocacy, and commitment helped create a lasting community tradition and recognition of Indigenous peoples in Akron and Summit County.

Check out the website, Walk Portage Path, for more information about Native American tribes like the Seneca and Delaware who used the Portage Path to travel between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas Rivers.