Saluting Springfield's Native American heritage

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Friday morning, Native Americans took time to pay tribute to their heritage on the steps of City Hall in Springfield.

Dozens of people gathered to join Mayor Domenic Sarno and members of the Native American Intertribal Council of Western Massachusetts to raise the Native American flag.

Gloria Peeler of the Council told 22News that they are trying to raise awareness of Native American heritage in the region.

“A lot of people are Native American decent, but they don't keep up with their culture, and that's what we're trying to do. What we want is a cultural center or some where in Western Massachusetts for the young people, to be proud of their culture,” she said.

The Native American Intertribal Council is currently raising money to build a cultural center in western Massachusetts.