Brady McKellar, director of museum operations, reminds everyone that Native American Culture Day is coming up on Saturday, September 24 from 10 am-4pm in Vermilionville. Please see the message from McKellar below:
We are just about seven weeks out from our annual Native American Culture Day! Please mark your calendar for Saturday, September 24 from 10am-4pm.
We’d like to thank all of you that were able to participate in Native American Culture day last year, those that have helped in the continuing construction of our Common Ground Shelter, and those that have thus far taken part in our 2016 Native American residency programs. We are always looking for ways to increase our inclusion of the Native American culture in our park, and thank you so much to those that have been a help with that!
Native American Culture day has been growing steadily over the past couple of years (both in participators and attendance) and we owe that that entirely to all of the many tribal peoples who have come to share their traditions and culture. And so, as in the past, Vermilionville invites and encourages the participation of all our region’s tribal peoples. We’ve many exciting things to plan this year, so please make plans to join us. Last year, our Native American Culture day broke the record for the highest per-day number of guests to the park, and I’m looking to make our numbers even higher this year!
The theme that has been continued through our culture days this year is “The Youth of our Culture.” It brings to focus not only the roles that the youth play in our cultures, and what roles they’ve played in the past, but also how they are active in carrying on the tradition of the culture. And we’d love to hear and see about children’s games, costume, responsibilities in the tribes, hear their stories and struggles.
Please let me know if you wish to attend, and how many of your people will be joining. In the past we’ve had basket weaving, beadwork, drumming, dancing, traditional cooking, traditional weaponry, language… just to name a few. Or maybe your group would like to share a ceremony with us, or even a sport. So please let me know what your group would like to demonstrate, discuss, conduct, or teach on the day, so that I can get you scheduled in a location in our village that will fit your needs. I’m especially looking for opportunities to schedule official music and dance demonstrations, that was very well received last year, our guests really enjoyed that. Feel free to choose whatever you feel shows the traditions and cultures of your people, including historical and ceremonial dress. I know that that is also another cultural aspect that people are very curious in seeing and learning about.
If there is anything that you can share that relates to children or traditional games, that would really be fantastic! Also, this year, we are going to set up one of the houses as an ‘open space’ for the telling and sharing of stories. Anyone from any group is more than welcome to come in and share a tale of their people, it would be great if someone from your group could participate.
I’m also wanting to include cooking demonstrations on that day, and if you have something that someone in your group would like to share, please feel free to let me know that as well.
This year, as an official opening for our event, we will be demonstrating the Gourd Dance in the Common Ground Space. I would like to invite all tribal groups to join. I think it would be wonderful for our guests to be able to view the dance, especially if we can have many people from many different groups.
We will be providing a space for your group as well as a table for displays and a sign for your group. We will also share an honorarium as thanks for your time and talents. I’ll also be setting up a schedule for anyone that wants to make use of the Common Ground space. If you have other needs- campfires, open space, targets, etc… I will do everything we can to meet those needs.
Included is a form to let us know how we can best help your demonstrations, so send that back to me as soon as you can meet with your people, and I can start getting the event scheduled. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you would like to discuss details or if you have any questions.
I look forward to hearing from you, and seeing you at Native American Culture Day on September 24. Thank you for sharing, and helping us to continue our tradition of traditions.
Brady McKellar, MFA, director of museum operations, Vermilionville