fbpx
 

DOUGLAS, Mich. — American Indian drumming could be heard a couple of blocks away from the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center on a beautiful West Michigan summer Saturday afternoon in the small village of Douglas, Mich., an art community located 40 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.

The Iron Bear drum was on hand for the “Creative Spark - Celebration of the Bodewadmi (Potawatomi) Tribe” program. Several dancers were also present to demonstrate their skills as traditional dancers before a mostly non-Native audience who came out Saturday to learn about the Potawatomi culture.

Want more Native News? Get the free daily newsletter today.

Emcee Jason Wesaw (Pokagon Potawatomi) told the audience to observe how the dancers put their feet down gently as they danced. 

“See how the dancers flow with the beat of the drum leaving their gentle footprints on Mother Earth,” Wesaw said.

Visitors to the event were able to purchase Indian tacos and fry breard. They also were able to see some Potawatomi artisans who were present to demonstrate their traditional art techniques. 

 

Jason Wesaw emceed the event. (Photo/Levi Rickert)

 

Jonathan Rinehart carried in the eagle staff. (Photo/Levi Rickert)

 

Morgan Raphael demonstrated her skills as a fancy dancer. (Photo/Levi Rickert)

 

The audience was invited to dance with the Native dancers. (Photo/Levi Rickert)

 

Award-winning sculptor Jason Quigno discusses his art with community members. (Photo/Levi Rickert)

 

John Pigeon demonstrates his traditional basket weaving talents using black ash. (Photo/Levi Rickert)

More Stories Like This

‘Take this and carry it to the top of the world’ | Lakota Man Becomes the First Native American to Summit Mt. Everest
WATCH: Native Bidaské with MSNBC Contributor Alyssa London as She Discusses The Culture Is: Indigenous Women
Here’s What’s Going on in Indian Country, June 01—10
Long Awaited “Killers of the Flower Moon” about 1920 Osage Murders Receives a Nine- Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes Film Festival
First Nations Singer’s New Album A ‘Stamp in Time’ and ‘Act of Resistance’

Native News is free to read.

We hope you enjoyed the story you've just read. For the past dozen years, we’ve covered the most important news stories that are usually overlooked by other media. From the protests at Standing Rock and the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM), to the ongoing epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) and the past-due reckoning related to assimilation, cultural genocide and Indian Boarding Schools.

Our news is free for everyone to read, but it is not free to produce. That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation to help support our efforts. Any contribution — big or small — helps.  Most readers donate between $10 and $25 to help us cover the costs of salaries, travel and maintaining our digital platforms. If you’re in a position to do so, we ask you to consider making a recurring donation of $12 per month to join the Founder's Circle. All donations help us remain a force for change in Indian Country and tell the stories that are so often ignored, erased or overlooked.

Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you. 

About The Author
Levi Rickert
Author: Levi RickertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].