Organizers hope up to 7,000 people will attend each day of the festival, which will feature drum and dance demonstrations, with a grand entry of dancers from all 15 tribes at noon both days. Other highlights include flute making, storytelling, pottery making, hand drum tying, exhibits on the history of Virginia tribes and children's activities including a treasure hunt.
In addition, 30 Indian craft vendors will be selling pottery, jewelry and other wares. Visitors also will be able to buy Indian food, such as fry bread, a fried bread made from flat dough.
Speakers from various tribes and from the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., will discuss issues facing American Indians today.
"Everybody that comes in is going to get a huge history lesson on Indians around the United States," said Ken Adams, chief of the Upper Mattaponi tribe and festival coordinator.
"Most Americans don't realize how much the Indians actually struggled up until the 1970s and 1980s," Adams said. "We're finally getting to the point where we're getting past that. We still have a ways to go. I want people to get a glimpse of our culture, part of our history, and come away learning something about what's going on."
Red Cloud-Owen and Adams said they also hope the festival will help the cause of the six Virginia tribes attempting to get federal recognition. The Mattaponi and Pamunkey are not seeking that status.
In May, House Democrats pushed through a measure supporting federal recognition. The tribes now await Senate action.
Indian leaders say recognition would enable the tribes to tap into federal aid. But critics say it would be used to justify building Indian-run casinos in Virginia. The tribes have promised to forgo gaming rights.
On the Net:
Jamestown 2007: http://www.americas400thanniversary.com- Associated Press
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
