Visit the American Indian Rockville Festival
Nov 6, 2009 10:33 - 1 Comment
This Saturday November 7, 2009, the 12th annual American Indian event will boisterously fill the terrace and lobby levels of the Montgomery County Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe Street from 10 AM - 5 PM. Artifact displays, drumming musical performances, and cultural crafts will transform the government building into a lively exhibition hall. Since I have two boys who are scouts, my family enjoys all the lore, costumes, bows, and arrows.At noon, all the official sponsors (the City of Rockville, Montgomery County, The Indian Health Service and the >American Indian Society of Washington, D.C.) will make the proclamations recognizing November as American Indian Heritage month, then they’ll be a Grand Entry parade with dancers.
As Rockville Central is a 2010 Census Partner, the Bureau sends us statistical information on all sorts of things including American Indians:
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state, getting endorsements from 24 state governments, to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994.
As of July 1, 2008, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race was 4.9 million. They made up 1.6 percent of the total population. The median income of households from the 2008 American Community Survey where the householder reported being American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race was $37,815. The 2008 poverty rate 24.2% for people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race.
Number of states with more than 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents on July 1, 2008 were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, New York, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Alaska. Combined, these states were home to 61 percent of the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native residents.
As you can see, the majority of American Indians live out west so take advantage of this close-to-home opportunity to experience the traditions of our local American Indian neighbors.
Public parking is available at street meters and in lots on Monroe Street and Middle Lane.
Just got back from the festival, good fry bread meat pies and Algonquin corn soup.My son enjoyed the regalia and the dancing. It’s a pity they didn’t have any open dances while we were there.