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Feature article
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Native American Festival returns to Sycamore Shoals
By staff report
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Looking for something different this weekend?
Each year, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton offers its visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in Native American culture during a three-day celebration of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, song and dance, demonstrations, storytelling and legends.
This year, the Native American Festival will bring local and national presenters together for a program chock full of history, tradition and culture.
The event opens at 7 p.m., Friday when the Kentucky Chautauqua presents Robert Rambo as Atta Kul Kulla, Cherokee Peace Chief. Called the “most important Indian of his day,” Atta Kul Kulla was a skilled and sophisticated diplomat. Though his policies and actions are still controversial, he united his people and laid the foundation for the long-term survival of the Cherokee Nation at a time when the continent was rapidly filling up with European immigrants.
Rambo, who is of Cherokee ancestry, has been studying and portraying the great chief for more than a decade.
Dr. Michael Abrams of the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery in Cherokee, N.C. will provide a glimpse into Cherokee history and legend with two lectures each day on “Cherokee Dog Tales” and “Cherokee Turtle Talk.”
On Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m., Abrams will also present “Cherokee Love Medicine” in the Visitors Center theater.
A traditional campfire program will be presented by Mark and Sherry Finchum at 8:30 p.m., Saturday. The Finchums, who are traveling from Jefferson City, Tenn., will present “What the Old Ones Told Me When I was a Child.” They will also present the program, “Native Cultures — East versus West” at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the fort.
The Finchums are both educators and teach middle and elementary school children near their home.
Traditional Native American arts and crafts will also take center stage.
Vicki Standingdeer and her husband, Dale, will direct traditional Cherokee dancing and music. MGD or “Mighty Good Drum” will provide the drum and singers. The dancing demonstrations will include: the Fancy Dance and Hoop Dance, the Jingle Dance, the Men’s Traditional, Grass and Straight Dances, among others.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their regalia and to participate in the dancing.
This year’s featured Cherokee traditional storyteller is Freeman Owle, a noted lecturer, historian and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. He has traveled all over the Eastern United States lecturing to various groups and has told stories and presented programs on Cherokee history and culture throughout the Southeast for more than a decade.
In addition to weaving his magical tales, Freeman Owle will also demonstrate the carving of Cherokee stone pipes along with other stone carvings.
Greeneville’s Daniel Bigay will entertain visitors with traditional flute music throughout the weekend. Bigay has released two CDs, the most recent of which was nominated for best flute recording at the 2005 Indian Summer Music Awards.
Bigay and his wife, Kay, are passionate about education and sharing of the Cherokee culture in the school system, at Pow-Wow’s, and various shows and festivals.
In addition to the programs and demonstrations, Bigay will have his handmade, traditional Cherokee style flutes for sale. The flute maker.
Admission to this weekend’s events is $3 per adult and $1 for children. All proceeds from admissions will benefit the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.
To learn more, call Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton at 423-543-5808.
Native American Festival
WHEN: June 6-8
WHERE: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, Elizabethton
COST: $3, adults; $1, children
CONTACT: 423-543-5808
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