Students, parents, teachers and all people interested in Native American and local history will have an opportunity to experience the Muscogee and Cherokee cultures up close Friday, Nov. 5 at the Tennessee Riverpark's West Pavilion.
The Chattanooga Indigenous Resource Center and Library (CIRCL) will host the Native American Gathering at the River, an interactive, educational program exploring the cultures, both past and present, of the people who first inhabited the region.
The unique feature of this program is the inclusion of several cultural authorities and artists who have traveled from Oklahoma to share information and display traditional and contemporary art forms representing the Muscogee cultures. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Seminole and Cherokee Nations of Oklahoma will be represented as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokees. Many of these artists have never been in Chattanooga before.
The format of this program is casual to allow for questions and hands-on participation by the audience. Topics to be discussed and/or demonstrated include traditional Muscogee foods, Seminole patchwork and its meaning, musical instrument making, contemporary American Indian visual arts, storytelling, traditional Cherokee pottery making, gourd carving, beadwork and more.
In addition to the demonstrations, Emman Spain, Historic Preservation Officer for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, will be on hand to answer questions and speak regarding Seminole history and culture. Gary Montgomery, acclaimed Seminole painter will display his work and explain the scenes depicted in his paintings. Travis Jackson, Jr. will be dressed in traditional Seminole clothing and will present dramatic interpretations of the Seminole "Trail of Tears".
The presentations will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1:30 p.m. rain or shine. The public is encouraged to join the school groups, parents and home-schoolers.
Admission fee is $2 a person. All proceeds go to help fund CIRCL's educational activities and are tax-deductible.
For further information contact Becky Gregory at (423) 756-4555.