DANBURY TOWNSHIP -- A blessing of the land took place in the Lake Erie community of Danbury Township in Ottawa County.
A Native American tribe returned to the area to reclaim land that was once theirs.
News 11's Dick Berry reported live from Danbury Township with the story.
It's right here when the Cove on the Bay housing development was being built that one of Ohio's most significant Native American archaeological finds was unearthed.
Construction came to a halt when workers discovered bones, tools, pottery and remnants of huts. Nobody knew it, but this is where the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma once lived.
Chief Leaford Bearskin of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma said in a blessing, "Great Spirit, we ask you to be with us here today. Great Spirit bless all of us. Make us all better tomorrow than we are today."
It's known as the sacred smoke ceremony.
Members of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma have returned to Ohio to reclaim a piece of their history.
Archaeologist Brian Redmond tells News 11, "This is their homeland. They are here. Always been here. Always will be."
In 2003, developers building a housing project unearthed Wyandotte skeletal remains and artifacts -- some dating back 5,000 years.
Archaeologist Brian Redmond says, "People were coming here, establishing fishing camps, hunting ducks and geese... and eventually these grew into large settlements over time."
There are still Wyandotte remains buried here, but they will never be unearthed. Developers recently sold three lots to the Wyandottes. That's why the land is being blessed with smoke and prayers.
Developer Greg Spatz says, "Money isn't everything. You have to give back to the community in part. This was our giveback to the community."
Now that land will become green space in the subdivision, allowing neighbors to enjoy it as well.
"We're all the same," Chief Bearskin says, "and our Great Spirit treats everybody the same. And we do the same things ourselves and live that way."
The Wyandotte Nation will have peace of mind, knowing their ancestors who once called Ohio home will always be protected from any future development.
