NCGLNAC Newsletter
The National Center for Great Lakes
Native American Culture, Inc.
Volume 4, Number 4 November 2004 Fourteenth Issue
Fall 2004 Workshops
The weather turned cold for the Fall Traditional Arts and Crafts Workshops held at the NCGLNAC site and the Women’s Building at the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland, October 2 and 3. The cold did not damper the enthusiasm of the participants, although the rain created a challenge for the fire keepers. We greatly missed our friend and board member Mickie Mann as keeper of the fire. It required several people to take his place: Ray Lutz, Janice Tierney, Nita Norcross, Kent Horine, Ted and Sharon Fisher, Carolyn Rushton and Jerry and Kay Neumayr. Many thanks go to all who helped.
Attendance for the classes was good and the Saturday evening meal catered by Country Catering and Cakes was excellent.
Cathy Mowry, Miami of Indiana, from Fort Wayne, blessed the land in a beautiful ceremony Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Dr. Elizabeth Glenn started the historical/culture class Saturday morning with an excellent discussion on how the fur trade directly and indirectly affected the lives and lifeways of the Great Lakes Native peoples. At 2 p.m. Saturday Dr. Don Cochran of the Department of Anthropology at Ball State University initiated the archaeological survey of the site. The class did not have enough time to visit the entire site so Dr. Cochran and his staff will complete the survey at a later date.
The historical/culture class resumed Sunday morning with Louis Bubb, a graduate student in the Department of Anthropology at Ball State University, discussing his research at the excavation of the Henry Aussom cabin at the Forks of the Wabash near Huntington. Henry Aussom was a fur trader who married Susan Richardville. The excavation to date indicates Susan was the one who occupied the cabin.
The historical/culture class ended Sunday with Chief Brian Buchanan of the Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana outlining and discussing the tribe’s struggle and plan of action for achieving their rightful recognition. Even though today there are 5,200 Indiana Miami, their federal recognition was illegally terminated over a hundred years ago as a result of an internal BIA memo. The proper channels were never used. It is everyone’s hope that this error can be corrected soon. Their plan of action has even included pleading their case to the Geneva Convention this fall.
Christine Morseau, Pokagon Potawatomi from South Bend, joined us again by teaching a black ash basket making class. The baskets completed were beautiful and the students even had the opportunity to pound a black ash log to cut and split off their own weaving materials. Guaranteed to increase their appreciation of completed black ash baskets.
Cathy Mowry came to our workshops for the first time and taught how to make corn husk dolls with gourd heads. Her students also learned how to traditionally dress their dolls from their yarn hair to the tiny buckskin moccasins on their feet. The completed dolls were outstanding.
Robin McBride Scott joined us again and taught sweet grass turtles. Her students made a variety of turtles with the fragrant sweet grass. Some painted gourd inserts for their turtle’s back. Some were made as pins and others were pendants. All were artistically stunning.
The Portland Foundation Funds Master Site Plan
NCGLNAC was the proud recipient of a grant for $3,500 from The Portland Foundation for Scott Shoemaker to complete the master site plan. Scott will be making two site visits in December to do an inventory and analysis of the existing features of the site. After that he will prepare the site design to determine the best location and orientation for the buildings, outdoor learning areas, gathering areas, native American garden area and other site improvements. The plan will also include the parking configuration, major site ingress and egress, major vehicular routes and pedestrian traffic routes including handicap accessible trails, general grading and drainage and wetland enhancement. And last, but not least, the plan will include general landscape treatment.
We are very happy to have Scott Shoemaker, Miami of Indiana, perform this vital first step of our building plans on the site. Scott was raised in Kokomo, Indiana, received his Batchelor’s degree from Ball State University in landscape architecture and his Master’s degree in landscape architecture with a minor in Native American studies from the University of Minnesota in June of 2003. In August of 2004 he began his doctoral studies in Native American studies at the University of Minnesota. He continues to work in the landscape architecture field.
In addition to Scott’s landscape architecture work, he is nationally known for his outstanding Miami ribbon work and his efforts in the restoration of the Miami language where he has worked with Daryl Baldwin Jr.
Mickie Mann Is Home!
We are so happy to be able to report that Mickie Mann is home now and showing steady improvement following the severe freak accident he suffered in his own back yard September 21. Mickie and his wife Linda were sitting in a swing in their back yard when a large, old, dead oak tree fell and hit him on the head. Mickie’s recovery has been nothing short of miraculous due in no small part to the many prayers and good thoughts sent to the Creator on his behalf by his many friends. We all miss Mickie and look forward to him and his big smile rejoining us soon.
Mickie’s home address is 491 South Clearview Drive, New Castle, IN 47362. His phone is 765-529-7237. He would love hearing from his friends.
Mickie Mann dancing in June at Jay Co. Fairgrounds
NCGLNAC Tradition Bearers Keeping Busy
We have learned that some of our tradition bearers have been quite busy.
Jerry Cochrane recently taught a flint knapping class at the Museum at Prophetstown. Also at Prophetstown in October Dani Tippmann demonstrated harvesting traditional crops at the Native American garden in the 1810 village and Robin McBride Scott conducted educational school tours at the Council House in the village.
Dani Tippmann and Sue Lester, both of the Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana, recently authored and published an excellent educational book for children entitled Little Heron at Seven Pillars. The book includes pictures, Miami words, history, culture and traditions. According to Dani ``this children’s book is the first in a series about some of the culturally important places for the Miami people.'' Each book will feature an animal as the main character in a story set at a site of significance to the Miami people. Dani and Sue will donate a portion of the profits from the book to fund Native American Scholarships.
Dani Tippmann is artist-in-residence at the Eiteljorg in Indianapolis for 8 days in November. She will be teaching around 1,200 school children about native plants and their uses, including food, medicinal and art.
Dani Tippmann’s class - Summer 2004
The newest Cherokee Publications catalogue lists the book illustrated by Robin McBride Scott about Cherokee double weave baskets. The book, entitled ``Flowing Water,'' is being used to teach this very difficult basket weaving art at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Cooperative at the Eastern Band Reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina.
A photograph of a porcupine quill embroidered Cardinal pendant made by Boni Nelson is featured on the cover of the most recent Studies in American Indian Literatures, a quarterly journal edited by Malea Powell. Boni is also keeping quite busy giving lectures in schools and libraries on Native American culture and on book arts.
Robin McBride Scott’s class – Fall 2004
Some of our members are just as busy as our tradition bearers. Member Carol Sue Templin from Albany, Indiana, has been busy making excellent presentations of Maconaquah in full period dress. Sue is a retired elementary school teacher and makes presentations at community organizations and schools and at a recent NCGLNAC board meeting. She is featured in the Fall 2004 issue of EXPO Magazine published by Ball State University. Also included in the same issue is a very informative article featuring Don Cass and his family, the Delaware in Indiana and the Indiana Miami.
Art Exhibit at The Arts Place
Tradition Bearer and NCGLNAC Board Member Boni Nelson is working in cooperation with The Arts Place in Portland to feature an exhibit of the work and art of our tradition bearers past and present. The exhibit will be in the Fall of 2005. Boni is in the process of contacting all tradition bearers beginning in 1995 at Minnestrista. The collection and exhibition of the varied art work of our tradition bearers is a very exciting landmark for NCGLNAC and our tradition bearers.
The Arts Place is the largest community arts facility in an Indiana city of less than 10,000. The tile relief mural, Landscape’s Legacy, is a one-of-a-kind work of art. The stoneware reduction-fired glaze mural is the largest work of its kind in a rural arts facility in the United States. Of the Indiana Arts Commission’s 12 regional arts partners, Arts Place is based in the smallest community but serves the second-largest region in the State. In addition, The Arts Place owns and operates the statewide internet portal hyperlink for information on the arts in Indiana. Indiana is the only state in the nation in which a community arts council provides the statewide arts information web portal. In other states, the sites are operated by state arts commissions or regional arts organizations.
Boni Nelson sewing quills – Summer 2004
Spring 2005 Workshops
Mark your calendars for the NCGLNAC Spring Workshops held in cooperation with the Indiana Historical Society at the Indiana History Center in Indianapolis March 5 and 6, 2005. This event will be the second time NCGLNAC has worked with the Indiana Historical Society in presenting a weekend traditional arts and crafts workshop at their beautiful facility. The theme for the workshops will be ``Creative Spirit.'' We think an exciting line-up of classes await participants.
Robin McBride Scott, Cherokee descent, from New Castle will be teaching a Peyote Beaded Mini-Bottle class. Her students will bead a 1 ½'' glass bottle using the peyote stitch and size 13 beads. The tiny bottle can be made into a necklace, holding essential oils, if desired. Robin is an award-winning contemporary artist and illustrator and also a traditional Native artist, consultant, presenter and educator. She has been recognized for her outstanding porcupine quillwork, moose hair embroidery, ribbon work, bead work, river cane basketry and gourds. Robin’s work is collected and exhibited in private collections, universities and museums nationwide, including the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis. Robin has a BFA from Ball State University with minors in Native American Studies and Metalsmithing.
Dani Tippmann, Miami of Indiana, from Columbia City will teach her students to make a cell phone or glasses case from corn husks. They will work with the traditional materials to make a modern convenience. A cultural item such as the corn husks, fitting into everyday life, will sometimes give a person that ‘grounded’ feeling that everyone needs in day-to-day living. Dani is a descendant of Acque-nack-qua, the father of Little Turtle. She actively helps with the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow in Columbia City every August. Dani recently completed a Bachelor of General Studies at Indiana University and is working on a Native American Studies Certificate. Her knowledge of plants has been collected over the years from tribal members and elders, including her mother and aunts.
Craig White, from Thorntown, will join us for the first time at the Spring Workshop. Craig is an exceptional wood and bone carver and painter. His students will make earrings or a pin, carved from bone using a Dremel tool. The earrings or pin will then be painted to resemble eagle feathers. Craig was about 5 when his father began teaching him wood carving and he has received much in the way of teaching and encouragement along the way. He wood carves primarily large mammals like moose, elk, bear and wolves but also carves figures, spoons, ladles and bowls. He has carved ceremonial pieces for the Native American Church and many items used in dance regalia, such as gourd dance rattle handles and roach spreaders. Several years ago he branched into carving earrings, pendants, tie slides, and so forth from bone and wood. Craig joined the dance circle at the age of 12 and has sung with several drums including serving as Head Singer. Several of Craig’s pieces are on display at the Southern Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko, Oklahoma and the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in private collections.
The lecture class will again differ from classes held in the past but follows a format used at the Fall 2004 workshops. Dr. Elizabeth Glenn, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology, Ball State University, will begin Saturday morning teaching ``Searching Your Native American Ancestry.'' Her beginning focus will be on tribal movements and ethno history of the area’s tribes. She will then cover resources for actual research. Dr. Glenn has joined us before and her astounding knowledge of the pre-contact and historical tribes of this area has always been greatly appreciated by her students. She is the author of several books and papers and is considered by many to be one of the world’s authorities on the Fur Trade and its effects on the Native American populations.
Rebecca Hartleroad, Cherokee, from Auburn, Indiana, will join NCGLNAC for the first time as a tradition bearer and will teach the lecture class Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Rebecca has done extensive genealogical research on the Miami and also the Cherokee and will share her knowledge with her students.
The computer lab at the Indiana Historical Society will be the setting for the lecture class and students will be able to log on to various free genealogical web sites, if desired. Unfortunately, many web sites do not have accurate Native American information. The pay website Ancestry.com will be available through the generosity of the Indiana Historical Society at one computer during some of the class time.
Robin McBride Scott will be the Saturday evening guest lecturer presenting, ``The Old and the New: Is it Traditional? Contemporary? Or a Different Form of the Same Message?'' Her talk will explore the questions of the validity of art by Native artists who have adopted Euro-American artistic traditions, and/or have created new ways of using traditional art forms.
The cost of each class will be $50. The Saturday evening meal will be catered at the Indiana Historical Society at a cost of an additional $14 which includes the lecture by Robin McBride Scott. The Indiana Historical Society has again made arrangements with the Clarion Inn Northwest at a rate of $60 per night, single or double. If you want to reserve your room early the phone number is 317-298-3700. You must mention that you are attending the Indiana Historical Society/National Center for Great Lakes Native American workshops to receive the special rate.
Complete information on the Spring 2005 workshop will be included in a flier with the next NCGLNAC Newsletter due to be mailed in late January or early February. The deadline for registration will be February 18, 2005. For more information contact Workshop Chair Kay Neumayr at 765-572-2574 or hyperlink.
Archaeological Survey Completed
Don Cochran of the Archaeological Resources Management Service, Ball State University, has completed the Archaeological Field Reconnaissance on the site of our future center in Portland. No archaeological sites were located within the land. There was considered low potential for archaeological sites within the property based on the natural setting. The field reconnaissance revealed that the property had been extensively disturbed by the excavation of a borrow pit. Based on the outcome of the investigation, no additional archaeological assessment of the property is recommended and it is their opinion that the project should proceed as planned.
While Don Cochran was able to spend time on the land, he came to realize that, ``while the land has been torn up, the spirit of wilderness is there. The land is healing itself and symbolically fits as a place for the culture center and the plans NCGLNAC is making for the use of the place.'' As a demonstration of support for NCGLNAC and our future project from Don Cochran, the Archaeological Resources Management Service and Ball State University, there was no charge for the work that was completed. The Creator continues to bless NCGLNAC in so many ways.
Jinny Esten making a sweet grass turtle – Fall 2004
Summer 2005 Workshops
Plans are underway for the Summer 2005 workshops which will be August 7 – 12 at the Freeman Scouting Facility near Portland. Class possibilities so far are a dugout canoe class, porcupine quillwork, wampum bead work, advanced silverwork, Miami cradleboards, women’s dance shawl with fringe, appliqué on women’s shawls, and pre-contact antler tools. This is not a final listing as other classes are also being planned, but are not finalized.
In addition, we are in the process of arranging a Douglas Blue Feather concert at The Arts Place the evening of August 11. We look forward to the opportunity of sharing Douglas Blue Feather’s beautiful Native American flute music with workshop participants and the Portland community. Blue Feather is a two-time Native American Music Award winner.
NCGLNAC Attends NMAI Opening
NCGLNAC members Pat Broom, Linda Andrews and Ian Winningham journeyed to Washington, D.C. in September to attend and take part in the opening ceremonies of the National Museum of the American Indian, situated on the last available space on the National Mall. Linda and Ian carried the NCGLNAC banner in the Native Nations procession, which at 25,000 strong was the largest gathering of Native People in recent history. Over 80,000 people came to the Mall on Grand Opening day.
Both Linda and Ian state that the experience will be one of the most memorable of their lives. Pat Broom wrote the following on her observations.
``I felt being at the museum’s opening was a privilege. The structure is impressive as it appears to float with the land. It has been said that from the top down it looks like a foot. How fitting it is for the shape to resemble the first people’s foot step. There isn’t a ninety degree angle in the building with the exception of the domed ceiling which is shaped like an inverted bowl that has steps around the circumference. Surrounding the building are natural areas of grandfather boulders, ponds, plants and a garden with the three sisters: corn, beans and squash. When you enter the building you immediately notice a long, curved, ornate copper fence-like structure that encloses a sunken floor arena where artists will be invited to demonstrate their cultural traditions. For example during the
Linda Andrews with NCGLNAC banner carried in NMAI Opening Procession
Member Ian Winningham at the NMAI
Opening week, Hawaiian elders were building a kayak in the traditional way. There is a curved stairway that extends from the first to the fourth floor around the inside curve of the building, at all times you can look out and see the floors below you and any activity. There is an impressive gift store on the first floor, many nationally-recognized Native American artists are represented in all mediums. On the second floor there is another gift shop which features less expensive items. The upper floors are where current exhibitions are featured. The most impressive for me was Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s collection of jewelry. There were several hundred pieces displayed, all were extraordinarily beautiful, especially the style he invented that looks like sand painting on gold called Painted Mesa style. For the opening there were three major inaugural exhibitions developed in consultation with Native peoples. It gave them the opportunity to tell their own stories in their own voices. OUR UNIVERSE focused on Native Peoples’ philosophies and world views related to the creation and order of the universe. OUR PEOPLES featured a spectacular gold wall with more than 350 gold figurines and objects dating back to the pre-Columbian era. OUR LIVES concentrates on contemporary life, while showing that indigenous cultures remain connected to their ancestral past. Other exhibits included the art of George Morrison and Allan Houser, where about 200 drawings, paintings and sculptures are on display. Other exhibits such as Many Hands, Many Voices featured nearly 3,500 objects from the museum’s collection, including bead work, containers, dolls, peace medals, projectile points, cups, animal-themed figurines. For the opening day procession over 500 tribes were represented. Nearly all who marched in the procession were in full regalia. There were smiles from the youngest wee ones to the elders, they were so happy, and honored to be there for the dedication of THEIR museum that all you felt was a day of happy hearts. It was a moving emotional experience for anyone fortunate enough to be there.''
Pat’s sentiments were echoed by Linda and Ian who said ``attending the opening was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.''
NMAI façade
NCGLNAC Upcoming Events
March 5, 6, 2005 – NCGLNAC Spring Workshops in cooperation with the Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis.
June 25, 2005 – NCGLNAC Gathering of Great Lakes Nations, Jay County Fairgrounds, Portland. All day drumming, singing and dancing, vendors.
June 25, 26, 2005 – Eiteljorg Indian Market, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis.
August 7 – 12, 2005 – NCGLNAC Summer Workshops at the Freeman Scouting Facility, Portland.
About NCGLNAC
The National Center for Great Lakes Native American Culture, Inc. was formed in May 2001 as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. The Center is composed on Native and non-Native members whose mission is to continue and preserve traditional Great Lakes Native American art, history and culture by helping pass those traditions on to Native People and by educating the general public about the importance of Great Lakes Native peoples, their art, history and culture.
The Center has no political agenda. Our focus is on education. We have seen far too many of our treasured elders and tradition bearers begin their Spirit Journey without knowing who would carry on in their place. Additionally, we know too many Native people who are displaced from their tribal land-base and separated from their traditional tribal cultures.
National Center for Great Lakes
Native American Culture, Inc.
P.O. Box 1063
Portland, IN 47371
hyperlink
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Funded in Part By
Over the past 15 years, the Center’s tribal elders, tradition bearers and members have been presenting at workshops, symposia, university classrooms, conferences, powwows, elementary schools, libraries and other cultural and educational events. We look forward to helping Native peoples, urban cultural centers, universities, public and private elementary and secondary schools, elderhostels and the general public raise their awareness and understanding of the cultural heritage and history of Great Lakes Native peoples in an inviting, comfortable place with a friendly learning environment.
The Jay County Fair Board has generously offered to NCGLNAC over 32 acres of beautiful, wooded land, complete with pond and wetlands, located just north of the Jay County Fairgrounds in Portland.
If you would like to know more about NCGLNAC or receive membership information, please log on to our website at http:/www.ncglnac.com or contact us at P.O. Box 1063, Portland, IN 47371.