Eagle Scout Andrew McKenzie unveils Hog Creek Reservation's Chief PHT Memorial

SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, OH (WLIO) - A local Eagle Scout created and unveiled a new memorial to honor the Shawnee tribe that called the area home. 

The Chief PHT and Hog Creek Memorial now stands as a permanent reminder at the Shawnee Cemetery of those who lived on the reservation that was located in Shawnee Township. The monument is also in honor of the late Helen Jean Spyker, who became passionate about preserving Native American history after meeting several natives in her childhood and hearing how their culture was erased by the reeducation of their families at boarding schools. 

The concrete surrounding the large stone is in the shape of a turtle to pay tribute to one of the Native American creation stories, which you can read about on a plaque erected at the memorial. The dedication ceremony also included an authentic Native American prayer reading. It took many individuals and companies to get together the funds and materials needed, and it took a lot of planning and hard work from Shawnee Senior and Eagle Scout Andrew McKenzie to make the project a reality. 

"I had to create a concept, then I had to go to the Shawnee Board of Trustees to get their approval, and then the ground had to be dug out, gravel laid down, wire reinforcement laid down, concrete poured, stained, sealed," McKenzie explained. 

On Saturday, May 18th, at 1 p.m., the Allen County Genealogical Society will lead a tour through the Shawnee Cemetery and share stories of the Civil War soldiers that are buried there.