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James E. McGreevey |
William D. Watley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523 |
| American Indian
Arts Festival… Trenton, N.J. (October 1, 2003)—The 32nd semi-annual Juried American Indian Arts Festival, one of the largest in North America, will take place at the Rankokus Indian Reservation in Westampton Township, New Jersey, October 11, 12 and 13, 2003. The festival brings together tribes from all over the continent to share history, myths, traditions, games, dance and stories. Continuous entertainment will be featured along with a wide variety of indigenous food to be enjoyed by Native Americans and visitors alike. “New Jersey is incredibly fortunate to have this active and vital American Indian nation in our midst,” says Nancy Byrne, executive director, New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism. “Chief Roy Crazy Horse is tirelessly dedicated to keeping the ancient culture alive while at the same time moving his people forward into the 21st century. It's a privilege for the Office of Travel & Tourism to be working with the community.” Featured at the festival will be popular American Indian celebrities like Blackhawk Walters, star of TV’s Blackhawk Warriors, Nino Reyos, a three-time world champion kick boxer, and Red Hawk, flute player and master storyteller who performed at the Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games opening ceremonies. More traditional, but no less spectacular appearances will include the Voladores, performing an ancient ceremony atop a 100-foot pole; Ray Pena, master falconer, offering fascinating insights into these majestic birds of prey; and the Aztec Dancers and the Rankokus Eagle Dancers. There will also be opportunities to enjoy the 350-acre wooded reservation grounds that include resident eastern buffalo. Visitors will delight at sampling such culinary specialties as venison, caribou, alligator, corn soup and other dishes. More than 100 juried tribal artists will display traditional and contemporary art. There will be demonstrations of ancient techniques used in silversmithing, pottery making, painting, beading, drum making, weaving, basket making and more. The residents of the Rankokus reservation are members of the Powhatan Renape Nation, presided over by Chief Roy Crazy Horse. On the grounds are an American Indian Heritage Museum, an art gallery showcasing contemporary American Indian artists, a traditional woodland ancestral village, whose inhabitants include buffalo, and self-guided nature trails. For festival information, directions and listings of accommodations, contact the Rankokus Indian Reservation, 609-261-4747; website www.powhatan.org. The American Indian Heritage Museum is open on Saturdays, year-round. For more information on New Jersey events and activities, contact the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism, at 609-292-2470 or visit the website at www.visitnj.org.
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