Every year in November, Jefferson Patterson Park hosts an American Indian Heritage Day in the Indian Village and, like the other events they sponsor, it’s hands-on, educational, and fun. I took my parents and girls this year and learned that, depending on your interest, this festival can keep you entertained for 40 minutes or 4 hours. I fall into the latter category along with my 11 year old and my father. The others were “hungry” sooner, but lucky for me, there’s food available too.
Tables line the path to the village where experts will teach you as much as you want to know about tools, arrowheads, jewelry, clothing, and other aspects of Indian life. One of the flint knappers was at a table telling us not only what materials he uses, but where he finds them, then he gave each child a beautiful arrowhead.
Just outside the village, there’s an area with seating and a small stage where people give talks and perform throughout the day. I missed the dancing, but enjoyed listening to the reed flutes. A tent provides shade on sunnier days and people who want to sit can relax here and listen to the music.
The village itself is the most fun, hands-on portion of the festival where not only can you enjoy the authentic long houses, but stations throughout teach aspects of Indian life. Kids learned finger weaving and made pinch pots. Near a fire set up with traditional foods, one of my girls learned how to start a fire while another played in a canoe made from a single log.
There was a basket weaver who is also a horticulturist and know all about native vines and branches, a man talking about hides who had several to show us, and the flint knapper who worked quickly chipping off pieces of stone to make arrowheads and other tools.
Adults will enjoy all there is to learn and do and kids will love that so much is out, open, and touchable. They can even throw the atlatl (if you don’t know what that is, attend the festival). Truly, Calvert County is rich with so many layers of heritage and history. This American Indian Heritage Day is a great way to understand one of those layers.
http://www.jefpat.org