We Are Still Here

"Peace Maker" moose antler carving by Gene Reid, Mohawk. The piece will be raffled off Sunday at 3:45pm at the gathering.

Native American Gathering coming to Newaygo
Photos by Larry Gouine
​
The 3rd annual Native American Gathering will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 11a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, September 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Brooks Park in downtown Newaygo. This family friendly event is free and open to the public.

“Everyone is welcome to come and share Native American Indigenous music, dance, food and culture,” said Richard Ritter of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, one of the coordinators of the event. “There will be demonstrations of moccasin making, beading and carving, among other arts and crafts.”

Speakers will talk about current and historic topics related to Native Indigenous issues. Among the presenters will be Banashee Cadreau of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa who will talk about the Clans of the Anishinaabe; Gordon Henry of the White Earth Anishinaabe Nation of Minnesota who will speak about Ceremony; Beth Moody, Eagle Clan of the Shawnee Nation, whose topics are Water is Life, Cradle Boards and Moss Bags. Several other local and regional speakers will touch on subjects such as Indian Boarding Schools, Borders and Immigration, Indigenous Archeology, Grandmother Moon, and the Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978.

“Peace Maker”, an original moose antler carving by Gene Reid, Mohawk Tribe, will be raffled off to a lucky winner at the Gathering on Sunday, September 23 at 3:45pm. Raffle tickets for this unique and beautiful work of art, valued at $1,100, will be on sale at the Gathering on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are also on sale at these local businesses: Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center, Flying Bear Books, and Cronk’s Ace in Newaygo; Maike’s Bakery in White Cloud; Red Pine Crafts in Fremont; and Two Sisters Resale in Hesperia. Email for ticket information via [email protected]. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25, and donations are tax deductible.

The Native American Gathering is the major annual event by the Native Circle of Newaygo County (NCNC), a 501c3 non-profit organization. NCNC’s mission is in part to share Native Indigenous cultures with all people and to tell the true history of Native Americans from their experiences and perspectives. NCNC also offers other events such as Indigenous film viewing throughout the year.

“We hope everyone will come out to the Gathering and enjoy the cultures of our People,” added Laci Reagan of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa, a beader and member of the Native Circle of Newaygo County. “It will be an experience you won’t forget!”

For information about the Gathering, the Native Circle of Newaygo County, or if you are a Native American artist, crafter, drummer or dancer and would like to participate, please contact: [email protected]. Or call Sally at 231.519.9471.