(TK; One of our Headlining Dancers;
Picture Taken at Dartmouth Pow Wow)
Haverhill, NH - The Koasek Abenaki Tribe will host the second annual Nawihla Native American Festival at the VFW Field, North Haverhill, NH on May 31 and June 1, 2008. Drum groups and dancers will be coming in to perform from all over New England with a special performance by the Iroquois Traditional Singers and Dancers from New York.
Nawihla, an Abenaki word meaning " We are returning home", is an name chosen to honor the rich Abenaki history of the Koas Meadows and the ancient Koas Mission de Loup which was built to Christianize the Abenaki of Newbury / Haverhill area in 1685." The history of the original people and the meadows has been over looked in recent years. It is an important part of the history of both the State of Vermont and the State of New Hampshire," said founder of Nawihla, Nancy Millette. " I think the public and school children should know how important the first people and that area has been to not only New England but to the founding of the United States of America."
Others have agreed and Nawihla has received financial help this year from New Hampshire Council on the Arts, the National Endowment on the Arts, Wal -Mart, Nookta Lodge and All Seasons Motel, Beckett Academy, FarmWay Bradford, Wells River Savings Bank, NuNaturals, Kevin Fagnant Builders, Fennway Builders, Mashantucket Pequot Nation Graphics Department and Schemitzun committee, the Town of Haverhill and the VFW. "This event is a major undertaking," stated Koasek Tribal Council, " However, it is a wonderful celebration of art, dancing and music and gives us great pleasure to bring to the public a taste of our history and ancient cultural identities."
Nawihla will also host an 18th century living village where the public can take a walk through yester-year and experience the life-ways of 18th century Abenaki. In the 18th century the Abenaki would trade many of their goods with ocean voyagers. Many things changed during that era and lodges were often times made from old torn ship sails made of canvas. Many of the lodges in the encampment will reflect that era as the Natives cook traditional food and demonstrate making of traditional crafts. Members of the living village will welcome questions and tell stories as visitors curiosity rises.
Special guest performance by the Aztec dancers of Mexico is scheduled for 2 PM both Sat and Sun. Special dancing and singing will take place throughout the two days with the Iroquois Traditional Singers and dancers. The public will be asked to participate!
Koasek Nawihla will be hosted May 31 and June 1 in North Haverhill, NH and Gates open at 9 AM and Grand Entry of dancers begins at noon.
For more information please see NAWIHLA page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aztec Dancers Added to Nawihla Celebration
North Haverhill, NH- On May 31 and June 1, 2008 Nawihla Native American Festival will be held in the VFW Field, Main St., North Haverhill, NH. The line up of full entertainment which includes, a Living 18th Century Village, Rez Dawgs drum from Indian Island Maine, Traditional Iroquois Singers and Dancers from New York and approximately 25 arts and craft vendors has just added on the agenda the Luis Salinas family Aztec Dancers from Mexico City, Mexico.
Luis Salinas learned the traditional Aztec dancing from his father. Joined with other family members, the Aztec Dancers will tell the story of each dance and perform it to the traditional drums of Mexico. Dances will include the spectacular Fire Dance pictured above where Salinas will actually hold fire in his hands!
Nawihla Native American Festival will celebrate the history of the Koas Abenaki who lived in the meadows of Haverhill and Newbury for hundreds of years and still live today. The area which embraces the Connecticut River as well as the Ammonoosuc River was well known to Native People all over Canada, New York and New England. Native people would travel the rivers to visit and trade with the Koas Abenaki of the meadows. During the French Indian wars the well traveled route connecting the tribes of the south with the north was through the meadows on Haverhill and Newbury. " Although we have never historically had visitors from as far away as Mexico City we are honored to welcome the Luis Salinas family this year," said directors of Native American Festival.
Nawihla will open the gates at 9AM on Saturday May 31 to 5 PM and June 1, 10 AM to 5 PM. Grand entry of all the dancers entering the circle will begin at Noon each day. The Aztec Dancers will perform approximately at 2 PM each day. The Festival Directors encourage people to bring lawn chairs. In the case of rain the gym of the North Haverhill Town Building located next to the VFW field will be used.
For more information please see NAWIHLA page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
