Native American Heritage Festival in Virginia

Native American Heritage Festival makes changes

Richmond Times-Dispatch

May 7, 2006

CLARKSVILLE -- Next weekend's Native American Heritage Festival at Occoneechee State Park may be an annual event, but it's not more of the same.

This year, the Virginia park service reached out to several tribes to help organize the 14th annual festival, said Scott Shanklin, manager of the park in Mecklenburg County, about 100 miles southwest of Richmond.

"The early years we weren't as good about soliciting input from the various tribes," Shanklin said. "This year, we're trying to invite back and encourage participation . . . from a broad representation of Native Americans and tribes."

Representatives of the Haliwa-Saponi, Sappony, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi, Eno-Occoneechee and Fort Christanna Saponi helped with the planning, and several other tribes gave input, Shanklin said.

Organizers hope the expanded planning committee will result in a festival that will feature more diversity and more participation, Shanklin said.

They are encouraging tribes to set up informational booths, bring vendors and participate in the activities of the day as a way to gain exposure and offer insight about their history.

Occoneechee State Park is on Buggs Island Lake just across from Clarksville and is named for American Indians who lived in the area for hundreds of years.

Gates for the festival open at 10 a.m. Saturday. The grand entry procession of American Indian dancers will be at noon. -- Jamie C. Ruff

TimesDispatch.com