November 4, 2023 | theintelligencer.net
The Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville, West Virginia held its inaugural Native American Heritage Day event on November 4, 2023.
Site Manager Jeremy Kohus said the day kicked-off with a presentation by Tyrone Smith, project director of the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio.
The Friends of Native Roots Artists Guild’s Seneca Tribe of New York members were doing demonstrations and selling their works of art. Demonstrations included quill earring making, beadwork with caribou fur tufting, make and take bracelets for children and moccasin making.
There was also traditional food samples, crafts for children and a seed giveaway. The museum’s collections including cultural objects and the hellbender dugout canoe by John Redeye were also out on display.
Featured visiting artists included:
- Kristina Tome of the Seneca Nation, Deer Clan, of New York. She lives on the Allegany Territory in Salamanca, New York. She uses a variety of mediums including paint, pencil, beads and porcupine quills to make traditional and non-traditional earrings;
- Penelope Minner of the Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan, of New York, creates black ash splint baskets and corn husk dolls. She also lives on the Allegany Territory in Salamanca, New York.
- Samantha Jacobs of the Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan, New York, was also demonstrating traditional arts. She lives in the Cattaraugus Territory in Irving, New York; and
- Mary Jacobs of the Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan, creates traditional Iroquois raised beadwork in traditional patterns and designs using artisan glass, semi-precious and precious stone beads, textiles and leathers.
Kohus said the event was researched and planned by AmeriCorps volunteer Basil Stewart.
“He did all the coordinating and brainstorming for this event. He reached out to all the participants,” Kohus said. “This is a first-time event for us here and it’s a one-of-kind event for our area.”
