PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - A Peoria church celebrated its cultural heritage in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day.

A small group gathered at the Dayspring Native American United Methodist Church on Monday to honor both the heritage and resilience that define their community.

From Cherokee and Shawnee to Lakota and Peoria descendants, each person shared stories passed down through generations, honoring those who endured and those who continue to keep their culture alive today.

Beyond a day of remembering, it was a day of action. Church members worked side by side to repair part of their backyard porch roof, which was damaged by a fallen tree earlier this year.

“The government wanted to get rid of us and that was a tactical mistake, because we’re still here,” said Ken Hayden, also known as “

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