Traditional storytelling, free arts and craft workshops for children and adults, a stomp dance and native food will highlight the 2010 Native American Heritage Festival on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Rogers State University.
The festival, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Centennial Center on the RSU campus in Claremore.
The RSU Native American Heritage Festival is co-sponsored by the RSU Native American Student Association and RSU Department of Fine Arts.
“The festival will feature a wide variety of educational and entertaining events for the whole family,” said Dr. Hugh Foley, RSU fine arts professor and festival organizer.
Free Cherokee arts and crafts classes will be offered for adults and children from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants can learn how to make corn husk dolls, baskets, cane flutes, beaded necklaces and dream catchers in a “make it and take it” format.
Kelly Anquoe, of Kiowa and Cherokee descent, will present a history of the Oklahoma Fancy Dance at 1 p.m.
Leon Hawzipta will present native Kiowa storytelling at 2 p.m.
The Wah-zha-Zhi Cultural Center will present a demonstration on “How to Play the Osage Dice Game” at 3 p.m.
Joe Don Waters, of Kiowa and Ponca descent, will present a powwow singing workshop at 4 p.m.
Roxanne Harmon, of Cherokee descent, will present “Making Cherokke Kanuchi and other Crafts” at 5 p.m.
A supper break will be held from 6-7 p.m. with food available from the RSU Native American Student Association.
Several Native American artists and craftsmen will present their art at the festival.
A traditional Native American stomp dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. The stomp dance will be hosted by the Tallahassee (Wvkokye) Ceremonial Grounds of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. David Proctor (Muscogee) will be Mekko and Sam Proctor (Muscogee) will serve as Heles Hayv (advisor.) Roman Hill (Muscogee) will serve as emcee. All grounds, leaders and shell shakers are welcome to participate.
The festival was funded by a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council. Through state appropriations and grants from the National Endowment for Arts, the Oklahoma Arts Council funds more than 1,200 events annually with an estimated total attendance of more than 3.5 million. Projects funded by the Oklahoma Arts Council generally account for over $20 million in grants and matching funds distributed throughout Oklahoma’s economy throughout the state’s rural and urban communities.
All events will be held in the Ballroom and East Veranda of the Centennial Center.
For more information on the festival, call (918) 343-7566 or email [email protected].