Tama Intertribal Pow Wow festival kicks off Friday

This weekend, the official Native American tribal grounds in Grady County will be the site of Tama Intertribal Pow Wow, an annual living history demonstration. The public is invited to step back in time at the pow wow to see what life was like for the Creek Indians who inhabited southwest Georgia in the 1700s and 1800s.
The Pow Wow will be held Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18, 2015, at the Tama Tribal grounds located off Collins Road at 107 Tall Pine Dr., Whigham. The event will include demonstrations of everyday Creek life during the 17th and 18th centuries, from cooking and hunting to storytelling and traditional dancing. The cost is $3 per vehicle.
Gates open Friday at 5 p.m. with a “Grand Entry” at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the gates open at 9:15 a.m. with grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Sunday, gates open with the grand entry at 1 p.m.
Debra Bush, Linda Hutchison, Neal Parr, Jeff Parr, Tristen Lariviere, Peggy Venable and Scott McNutt are demonstrators in the “Living Creek Village.”
The living history camp will consist of re-enactors Neal Parr, Jeff Parr and Tristen Lariviere who will demonstrate aspects of Creek hunting and cooking.
Peggy Venable, an accomplished Creek historian, will share her knowledge about the Creek Indians along with Debra Bush, a Creek storyteller and entertainer.
Other demonstrators include Linda Hutchison, a national women’s archery champion, and Scott McNutt, a renowned primitive flint knapper, long bow maker and educator.
Three drums will take part in the Pow Wow: Walking Water Drum, Red Horse Singers and Unity, a woman’s drum.
As always, there will be traders and vendors, food and dancing. Singing Dove’s kitchen will serve authentic Native American food such as “Indian Tacos” and fry bread, as well as other favorites.
A special tribute to armed forces will take place Saturday morning with “The Missing Man at the Table Memorial,” a unique ceremony honoring military men and women willing to give their lives so that we may be safe. All veterans and active duty military are invited to participate.
The traders and vendors, Living Village and Singing Dove’s Kitchen will be opened at all times, weather permitting. Festival goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and stay the day. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and owners are expected to clean up after them.