National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture, Inc.
Post Office Box 424
Burlington, IN 46915

Volume 4, Number 1 February 2004 Eleventh Issue


2004 Spring Gathering

The format for the Fall Gathering was enjoyed so much by all that attended that it was decided at the membership meeting Sunday morning to repeat the format for the Spring Gathering, April 24 and 25 at the Women’s Building at the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland. It will be a weekend to relax, reconnect to ourselves, the land and to each other as a family and reflect on NCGLNAC’s mission, goals and future as an organization and our own place within that plan.

A registration form for the
2004 Spring Gathering is included in this newsletter. The $20 fee per person includes all materials and instruction for the porcupine quill project and the Saturday evening dinner. Nita Norcross of Flint, Michigan, will teach the project. The Tin Cupboard in Fort Recovery, Ohio will be catering a really delicious meal Saturday evening. The program Saturday evening will include storytelling by the fire. Sunday morning will include a membership meeting before the closing circle and everyone leaves to return home, relaxed, refreshed and recharged.

For those who wish to do so, some time will be spent on site clean-up and planning for future land use so bring appropriate clothing
, including boots. This is Indiana—there will be MUD. Also bring your unfinished projects to work on if the weather does not cooperate or you are not inclined to work outdoors in the kind of mud that your boots can get stuck in. If you have any questions, please call Mickie Mann at 765-529-7237 or hyperlink or Ray Lutz at 412-751-2304 or hyperlink.

Please send in your registration to Kay Neumayr by April 16 and make your room reservations at the Hoosier Inn also by April 16. If you are camping at the Fairgrounds, please contact Tim Zimmerman of the Jay County Fair Board (260-726-8176) to make those arrangements.

We all look forward to coming together again and enjoying the closeness of our family, the relaxed talks with one another and the warm fellowship. See you there!

Eiteljorg Indian Market

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana, will present its 12th annual Indian Market June 26 and 27, 2004. Nearly 180 of the country’s best Native American artists will exhibit their art and compete for the prestigious Best in Show award. In addition, children’s activities, dancers, storytellers, and demonstrations of traditional and contemporary art will fill the weekend. Actor Michael Horse will be emcee for special events. Each year, more Great Lakes artists are exhibiting their work alongside Southwest silverwork, pottery and weavings. Plan to take in the Eiteljorg Indian Market before heading home after our Summer 2004 7th Traditional Arts and Crafts Workshops June 20 through 25 in Portland.

While at the Eiteljorg Indian Market, take some time to look through the wonderful collections within the Museum and visit the White River Trader Gift Shop which offers the
Midwest’s finest selection of authentic Native American art, pottery, jewelry and much more. While viewing the Museum, keep in mind that Mr. Eiteljorg’s collection, which is the base collection for the Museum, was almost entirely Southwest, Plains and Pacific Coast. In recent years, the Eiteljorg has made great strides in including Native American art from the Great Lakes, Eastern Woodlands, Southeast Native American tribes and cultures. Log on to hyperlink for more information.
2004 Summer Workshops

The new lodge at the Freeman Scouting Facility, Portland Indiana, is the site of
NCGLNAC’s 7th Traditional Great Lakes Native American Arts and Crafts Workshops June 20 through 25, 2004. The week-long workshops session, divided into two 2 ½ day sessions offers the opportunity to learn Great Lakes Native American arts, crafts and culture including beadwork, porcupine quillwork, Miami ribbon work, storytelling, pre-contact coiled pottery, flutemaking, feather painting and more.

The beautiful log lodge, nestled next to the pond,
has two stories for classrooms. The first floor contains a kitchen, restrooms, a large stone fireplace, and comfortable easy chairs for relaxing in the carpeted main room. The lower floor is easily accessed by stairs and a stair lift, has restrooms, a concrete floor and large doors that open right to the pond. To the east of the log lodge is a wooded area. Across the pond are acres of restored prairie grasses and forbs and a large concrete floored shelter. The country setting of the lodge and grounds is very quiet and peaceful. We look forward to our time there.

Primitive camping is available at the Freeman Scouting Facility. There is no electricity or showers, however in the past arrangements have been made for those camping at the Scout Facility to take showers at the Jay County Boys and
Girls Club Community Center in Portland. Complete information will be included in the May NCGLNAC Newsletter. If you have questions contact either of the Workshop Co-Chairs: Karen Cochrane at 765-566-2334 or hyperlink or Kay Neumayr at 765-572-2574 or hyperlink.

Freeman Scouting Facility


2004 PowWow Dates

·         March 26 – 28, 2004. Third Annual Indiana University Non-Competitive Powwow, IU Fieldhouse, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Contact Wesley Thomas at 812-855-3862 or hyperlink.
·         April 10 – 11, 2004. Michigan State University Powwow. Contact Malea Powell at 517-767-0769 or hyperlink.
·         April 24 – 25, 2004. 13th Annual American Indian Council Spring Powwow at the Boone County 4-H Grounds, Lebanon, Indiana.
·         April 22 – 24, 2004. Gathering of Nations Powwow. University of New Mexico Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The granddaddy of them all with about 3,000 dancers, singers and drummers from more than 700 tribes in the United States and Canada. Contact 505-836-2810 or hyperlink.
·         June 5 – 6, 2004. 4th Annual Honoring the Lost Nation, Eastlake, Ohio, Contact Bear Plummer, 440-951-1028 or hyperlink.
·         June 12 – 13, 2004. Annual Metis Intertribal Gathering at Black Swan Lake east of Bedford, Indiana. Contact Snow Wolf Wagner at 317-209-9697 or hyperlink.
·         June 26, 2004. National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture, Inc. dancing and drumming demonstration at the Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland, Indiana. Contact Mickie Mann at 765-529-7273 or Rick Wagar at hyperlink.
·         August 6 – 8, 2004. Menominee National Contest Powwow at the Woodland Bowl Powwow Grounds, Keshena, Wisconsin. Contact 715-799-5645.
·         August 6 – 8, 2004. Little Elk’s Retreat Powwow, Saginaw Chippewa Campgrounds, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Contact 989-775-4072 for more information.
·         August 14 – 15, 2004. 10th Annual Mihsihkinaahkwa Traditional Powwow at Morches Park, Columbia City, Indiana. Contact number is 260-982-7172.
·         August 20 – 22, 2004. 7th Annual Rapid River Anisinabeg Traditional Powwow at Rapid River, Michigan-Upper Peninsula in the Hiawatha National Forest. For information contact 906-235-1812 or 734-723-0686.
·         August 21 – 22, 2004. 22nd Annual American Indian Council Traditional Powwow at the Boone County 4-H Grounds, Lebanon, Indiana. Contact 765-482-3315 or hyperlink.
·         September 4 – 5, 2004. Annual Tecumseh Lodge Powwow at Tipton, Indiana.
·         September 25 – 26, 2004. Friendship Powwow, Seven Circles Heritage Center, Route 8, Edwards, Illinois. Contact Butch McCamy at 309-968-6848 or 309-382-2779 or hyperlink.

Children’s Cultural Program Planned

Paula Butcher, Mickie Mann and others will be conducting a Children’s
Great Lakes Native American Cultural Program in cooperation with the Jay County Public Library, Portland, Indiana, Saturday, June 12, 2004 in the Library’s Community Room. This will be a wonderful opportunity for area children between the ages of 7 and 12 to learn about Great Lakes Native American culture. Participants (limit is 20) will complete a craft project, learn games, enjoy storytelling and much more. The program is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with everyone bringing a sack lunch. We are very happy to be working with the Jay County Public Library on this program and many future children’s programs.

If you have not yet been to the Jay County Public Library, the next time you are in
Portland take some time and tour this amazing new facility. It is huge, well-planned, and a very comfortable place to conduct research or just to relax for a while. The spacious Community Room is located just inside the front doors. It is a perfect place to initiate our Children’s Great Lakes Native American Cultural Programs in Portland.

A registration form will be available soon.


Native American Writers Circle

The membership list of the Native Writers Circle of the
Americas has grown in the last 30 years to number nearly 600. These writers contribute to community newsletters, publish in academic journals and some have works on the best-seller lists. Some write about their rich cultural heritage and the ways the Native Americans have managed to keep a strong connection to their cultures in the face of governmental policies that tried to eradicate the Native Americans and their culture.

T
hree good books to read about Native American culture are Growing Up Native American: An Anthology edited by Patricia Riley, Zitkala-Sa: American Indian Stories, Legends and Other Writings, edited by Cathy N. Davidson and Ada Norris, Penguin Classics, New York, and Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture and Values through Storytelling by Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac, Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, CO. The first book includes writings by 22 authors from the 19th and 20th centuries. The second book is a compilation of stories and honors the early 20th century Yankton Sioux writer Zitkala-Sa, who dared to write, and became published, under her Native name. A gifted storyteller, she retold traditional Sioux stories handed down over the generations. The third book includes many good stories relating to the American Indian culture and history. There are many good books written by Native American authors about their own tribal culture and traditions and most are well-worth taking the time to locate them if they are not available at your local library or book store.

Songs of the Spirit

The KiMo Theater in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, was the setting for two nights of music by three Native American musical greats—Bill Miller, Joanne Shenandoah and R. Carlos Nakai, in September of 2003. Each musician performed solo, then together in various musical numbers, backed up by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Guillermo Figueroa. The program was jointed produced by KNME television, the Albuquerque PBS affiliate, Native American Public Telecommunications, and Brandenburg Productions.

Highlights of the program will be show
n nationally on PBS during the month of March. Just check your local PBS listings for dates and times.

The video, distributed by Visionmaker Video, which is a Service of Native American Public Telecommunications, is available in VHS or DVD format from
hyperlink. or 402-472-3522.

New Newsletter Format

Beginning with this issue of our newsletter, NCGLNAC’s Eleventh, we will begin printing our Newsletter four times a year…in February, May, August and November. As mentioned before, this change was one of the suggestions at the October
2003 membership meeting.

The Newsletter belongs to all members and a better mix of articles is possible if members send in articles for inclusion in the Newsletter. Please send by email or printed copy, articles of interest to the membership for inclusion in the Newsletter. Send your articles by email to Janice Tierney at hyperlink or Robin Scott at hyperlink or Kay Neumayr at hyperlink Mail to Kay Neumayr at 4950 N. 750 East, Attica, IN 47918. Dave Schmidt continues to do a great job putting together the final Newsletter.

The new Newsletter dates are

         February issue – deadline for articles January 15
         May issue – deadline for articles April 15
         August issue – deadline for articles July 15
         November issue – deadline for articles October 15

Evelyn Bellmyer Improving

Miami tradition bearer and superb bead worker Evelyn Bellmyer is recovering nicely from heart surgery in mid January when stints were placed to improve blood flow. Evelyn is feeling much better now and reports that Bob is taking very good care of her. She can be reached at 918-542-1201 or 525 Veteran Avenue NW, Miami, OK 74354. Evelyn and Bob are planning to join us for the 2004 Summer Workshops in Portland.


Scott Shoemaker’s Class, Spring 2003

Scott Shoemaker to Earn Master’s Degree

Scott Shoemaker,
Miami tradition bearer and master Miami ribbon worker from Kokomo, Indiana, will earn his Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota in May 2004, in just one academic year! Scott has already been accepted as a Doctoral candidate by the University of Minnesota, so will continue his studies of landscape architecture with the goal of teaching at the University level when he becomes Dr. Scott Shoemaker. We offer our most sincere congratulations on Scott’s fantastic success and wish him the best on his career and future. Scott’s outstanding ribbon work is exhibited in many places, including the Indiana Historical Society and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.

2004 Fall Workshops

Plans are underway for NCGLNAC’s 8
th Traditional Arts and Crafts Workshops at the Women’s Building of the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland, October 1 and 2, 2004. These arts and crafts workshops offer another opportunity for hands-on learning of Great Lakes Native American art, history and culture in a shorter weekend format. Four classes are being planned and will include an historical or cultural class. The registration fee of $50 per person includes the Saturday evening meal and presentation. More information will be included in future NCGLNAC Newsletters.


Wigwam at Connor Prairie, Noblesville

Jay County Heritage Fest

The Jay County Historical Society is hosting their First
Jay County Heritage Fest October 1 and 2, 2004 and NCGLNAC will be working in cooperation with the Historical Society in creating an exhibit of Great Lakes Native American art, history and culture in their museum. NCGLNAC Board members toured the museum in January and were quite impressed with the quality of the Native American collection on exhibit which included historical Great Lakes, Plains and Southwest objects.

Current plans are to construct a wigwam on the Museum grounds and include interpret
ation of a typical historical Great Lakes Native American village and its activities. Great Lakes Native American art and crafts, furnished by our own tradition bearers and workshop participants will be featured in a large exhibit area inside the Museum. Look for more information in future Newsletters.

NCGLNAC Bylaws to be Amended

The Board of Directors for NCGLNAC will be voting at their March meeting to amend the NCGLNAC Bylaws.
Contact Rick Wagar at hyperlink for more information.

Board meeting are usually held in
Portland the second Saturday of every month, except December. All members of NCGLNAC are welcome to attend the board meetings. Contact Robin McBride Scott at 765-766-5185 or hyperlink or Kay Neumayr at 765-572-2574 or hyperlink for location and time.

Cattail Mat Workshop

A cattail mat workshop is being planned in
Portland this summer to teach the traditional methods of making these mats used as coverings for wigwams. The workshop will be in July or August, after the proper time for harvesting the cattails. More information will be in the May NCGLNAC Newsletter.

Plans are underway to construct wigwams at the site for interpretive and informational purposes for future tours. Suitable bark is needed for wigwam covering and the mats will also be used
for this purpose. Contact Rick Wagar at hyperlink for more information on the type of bark needed for this project.

McDonald’s Minority Scholarship Program

Fast food giant McDonald’s offers college scholarships to minority groups. However, of the four officially recognized minority groups, African American, Asian American, Hispanic and Native Americans, only Native Americans are not included among eligible recipients.

According to official McDonald’s spokesperson, Debbie Stone, American Indians do appear on lists of data collected nationally for people in need. However, McDonald’s ``must prioritize how we spend the dollars that we have for scholarships.''


According to Ronald McDonald House Charities Director Susan Kerr they ``feel we have the scholarships programs that fit the majority of their constituents needs right now.'' The scholarships are arranged through local chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities and they assess the specific needs for their own communities. It is interesting to note that one of the local communities where McDonald’s does business is Albuquerque, New Mexico, which has a very large Native American population.


Pond at site in late Fall

NCGLNAC 2004 Events

v         April 24 and 25. Spring Gathering at the Women’s Building, Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland.
v         June 12. Children’s Cultural Program at the Jay County Public Library, Portland.
v         June 20 – 25. 7th Traditional Great Lakes Native American Arts and Crafts Workshops at the Freeman Scouting Facility, Portland.
v         June 26. Great Lakes Native American drum and dancing demonstration at the Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland.
v         July 24 – 31. Jay County Fair, at the Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland.
v         October 1 and 2. Jay County Historical Society’s Heritage Fest at the Jay County Historical Society’s Museum, Portland.
v         October 1 and 2. 8th Traditional Arts and Crafts Workshops at the Women’s Building, Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland.
v         November. Native American Month. Various exhibits in Portland.

Art on the Move

Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture describes the landmark exhibition of approximately 70 contemporary works of art created by 55 living Native American artists from all over the country. What is unique about this art exhibit is that it fills three rail cars and will deliver the traveling art show by rail in the nest four years to more than 120 mostly rural communities in up to 44 states, including Alaska. Artrain USA begins April 17 and 18, 2004 in Tempe, Arizona, and will visit North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona in 2004. In 2005 the train will visit eastern states from Michigan to South Carolina. The far west and Alaska will have to opportunity to see the exhibit in 2006. The year 2007 will bring the train to Wisconsin, then south eventually ending in Florida.

Artrain USA began in 1971 and since that time has delivered art education programs and its exhibits to more than 2.9 million people in more than 725 communities as it crisscrosses the country by rail. However, this is the first time the exhibit has been made of entirely Native American art.