Two-day event to honor American Indian culture

THE VINDICATOR

YOUNGSTOWN — American Indian culture will be demonstrated and celebrated this weekend at the third annual Ohio Native American Festival.

The two-day event opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and runs through the evening. A sacred grand entry will begin at noon Saturday.

This year’s event will be special as Sept. 22 has been declared Ohio Native American Indian Day by Gov. Ted Strickland. Councilman Richard Atkinson will read the legislative order at the event Saturday.

The event drew 3,500 people last year, according to Skyler Hergenrader of Crying Eagle Village, the event organizer. Hergenrader said he hopes to double that number this year.
American Indians from at least a dozen states will travel to Youngstown for the festival, he said.

A guest will be Ron Mitchell, a Cherokee artist from Oklahoma. He will display and sell his watercolor and mixed media art items, which depict the spirit and history of American Indians.

Entertainment will be lead by Neil Wolfgang, a champion traditional dancer and member of the Seneca Nation. He will be the event’s head male dancer. The head female dancer will be T.J. “Sinopa” Goudy-Lewis of the Blackfoot Nation.

Food vendors will sell American Indian foods, such as buffalo burgers and Indian tacos, as well as traditional foods.

Many American Indian crafts, wares and clothing will be available, and the Salinas family of Arizona will perform traditional Aztec Fire Dance and sell Aztec crafts.

Admission and parking are free.