The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park will host its annual Native American Festival this Wednesday, Oct. 10 through Saturday, Oct. 13. The event is held each October to teach visitors about the Native Americans who lived in the region.
The event will honor Southeastern Indian culture by offering visitors a chance to experience their music and arts. Performers, craftspeople, artists and other representatives of the culture will provide guests with an interactive education of Southeastern Indians.
“Organizers have worked hard to give you a taste of what was and now is Southeastern Indian culture,” festival director Betsy Irwin said.
These various events are designed to help immerse visitors in the culture of the Southeastern Indians.
“Over the last 24 years, we’ve helped educate over 100,000 people about the arts, crafts and lifestyles of Southeastern Indians,” Irwin said. “Our hope is to help change our collective future for the better, especially for our children, as our elders teach us from the past.”
Performances will include appearances by music group Injunity and storyteller Gayle Ross. Injunity is a flute-guitar duo from Oklahoma that blends traditional and modern styles. Ross is a storyteller and author from Oklahoma who will be providing Cherokee stories throughout the festival.
Additional performances will be given by flutists Billy Whitefox, Sydney Mitchell, Jimmy Yellowhorse and Charlie Mato-Toyela. Singer-songwriter Michael Jacobs will also be present. Traditional dances will be performed by Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe, the Bogue Houma Choctaw Dancers, the Mystic Wind Choctaw Dancers and Lyndon Alec.
Visitors can also look forward to a variety of sports and children’s events. Pottery will be fired in the fire pit for viewers to see at the festival’s Arts and Crafts Arbors, and visitors can learn about archery at the Target Range. For children, there will be native crafts and games in the children’s area.
Stone toolmakers from around the country will be present at Knapper’s Corner and a history lesson on the importance of the fur trade to the Indians will be given at the Living History Camp. Visitors will also get a first look at the newly renovated Jones Archaeological museum.
Moundville Archaeological Park, a branch of UA museums, is a full-scale archaeological site and offers a museum and regular tours, as well as excavation and research opportunities.
On weekdays, the festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moundville is located 13 miles south of Exit 71A on Interstate 20/59 in Tuscaloosa off of State Highway 69.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Group registrations are also available.
For complete festival details and event schedule, visit moundville.ua.edu.
