History: The NAIA annual Pow-Wow has grown to be one of the largest Pow-Wow- east of the Mississippi River. The Pow-Wow consists of three days of activities which include traditional Native Dances with a diversity of Indian regalia in with judged categories; traditional arts and crafts including demonstrations of carving (stone, bone, and totem poles), basket-weaving, beading, and other artistry. A tipi village is erected with historical information and traditional lifestyles described. Demonstrations of ancient Indian games are performed, as well as a variety of storytellers featured.
This unique cultural event offers a rare opportunity for Tennessee's Native American Indians and visitors from all heritages living in Tennessee and surrounding states to come together for a celebration of music, dance and the arts. The NAIA Pow-Wow & Fall Festival also, offers an educational opportunity for the public to discover and learn more about the diversity of American Indian traditions, songs, dance, basket-weaving, carving, games, and other cultural events.
NAIA is extremely proud of its' 24 years of service to the Native American Indian residents of Tennessee, NAIA is an intertribal non-profit organization. The success of this annual event increases each year due to the sponsorships, grants, and increased audiences.
HOW CAN YOU HELP: Monetary donations of support. You can assist us in our commitment to provide free admission to all children on Friday and free admission to all seniors citizens and physically challenged individuals throughout the weekend event. Email or call 615-232-9179 to make a donation. By mail: 230 Spence Lane, Nashville, Tennessee, 37210-3623.
Purchase Advertisement in Pow-Wow-Book. (1/8 pge-1-full page available). Ask about Banner Rates. In addition to distributing to this at the Pow-Wow, we distribute information to all Tennessee Congressmen Senators, and other government staff and agencies because it provides useful information about the American Indian population, especially here in Tennessee.
All donations go directly to the NAIA Education/Scholarship Fund and the NAIA Emergency Relief Assistance Fund. No board members, or volunteer personnel, are paid--we are truly a volunteer organization! With your help we are making a difference. Contact office: naia@bellsouth.net to discuss your support opportunity. Help us help others in Tennessee. Together, we truly can make a difference.
Congratulations on your elections by the Tennessee Native American Convention. It is wonderful to see new people getting involved with the political area of our community.
For the newly elected, the next TN Commission of Indian Affairs meeting is October 8, 2005 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The meeting will be held at the Tennessee Department of Enviroment and Conservation, 2700 Middlebrook Pike, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
This will be a good time for all of us to come to the commission meeting to see what is happening with the commission, see how the meeting is ran, and a way to show the community our commitment to the Commission by attending. This will also be a great opportunity to meet all Commissioners with whom some of us will be serving in the near future.
**Reminder that the public may address the Commission at the appropriate time.
**Those wishing to speak are to sign in and will be acknowledged in that order.
2. Review and updates on actions taken at July 10th Chattanooga meeting.
1. Adopt the 1990 Recognition Criteria rewording for presentation to Tennessee Legal Department.
Request for Letters of Support for Pinson Mounds / Little Cedar Mountain / Two Rivers Mounds, etc.
Write letters to the Governor, your State representatives in both the House and Senate, write to your federal representatives also.
We are sending a second request for letters of support for the Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry to leave the Western Mound Group of the Pinson Mounds complex. For those of you who have already written, thank you, your letters have already made it to the Governor's office. For those of you who haven't sent letters of support, we need them as soon as possible. If there is any reason you are hesitant to write a letter, I am available to take your calls to discuss any concerns you may have. You may reach me at 615-573-4611 or 615-298-4347. Please set time aside today to make a difference.
buy toys for the children in Louisiana.
Chattanooga -- Indian Summer Days is a fall celebration of the Chattanooga area's Native American and Pioneer heritage through skills such as dances, storytelling and music, held at the Audubon Acres' nature preserve next Saturday and Sunday, 8-9 October 2005, 10 am til dusk.
Host drum will be Thunder Heart Singers. Cherokee singer-song writer and Eagle Award winner Jamie Russell will be performing and demonstrating. Mike Serna, an Apache flutist, will also be performing ballads and serenades. Artisans will exhibit various skills such as woodcarving, mask making, basket making and flint knapping to visitors. Sunday will feature demonstrations of Native American games of skill. Visitors will be invited to join the games of stickball, Cherokee marbles, chunky, etc.
Indian Summer Days provides a cultural immersion for visitors who want to learn more about Native American and Pioneer cultures.
One-day tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for Senior Citizens, $3 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5 years of age.
Two-day tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for Senior Citizens, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5 years of age.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at Audubon Acres.
The Chattanooga Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and promote an understanding of the responsibility of all individuals to preserve and protect our environment, cultural, and historical resources through programming and stewardship. This event is co-sponsored by the Native American Fireside Chat group which meets the 3rd Friday of every month at Audubon Acres.
Road; Turn Right on Gunbarrel Road; follow the signs to Audubon Acres.