American Indian Center of Chicago acquires 6 acres in McHenry County for native land traditions

The American Indian Center of Chicago has acquired 6 acres in McHenry County to create “a dedicated place where Chicago’s Native community can gather, practice land-based traditions, and host cultural and educational programming,” according to a joint release from the center and Openlands.The property, acquired in August, is protected by a conservation easement held by Openlands, a long-running organization that protects natural and open spaces in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region.The land is located within the boundaries of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, which extends from northern McHenry County, including the Richmond, Harvard and Ringwood areas, into southern Wisconsin. The property includes prairie, oak savanna and frontage along Nippersink Creek.The center said ownership gives the community a place to determine how it assembles and practices traditions such as gathering, foraging, planting and growing, activities that may be restricted or require permissi