Marvin Davis, president of Intertribal Indians of New Jersey, holds a traditional snowshoe, one of the traditional Native American artifacts to be discussed Saturday. JAMESBURG – The public is invited to chase away the midwinter blues and learn about traditional American Indian winter crafts and games at the next meeting of Intertribal American Indians of New Jersey.
The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the log cabin at Thompson Park, off Perrineville Road and Forsgate Drive.
Attendees will sip hot chocolate around a warm fireplace while watching a short film about the Snow Snake game, and examine a pair of traditional snowshoes and find out how they were made. Kids can enjoy making an American Indian winter craft item to take home and show their friends.
Intertribal American Indians of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides social activities and support to American Indians living in New Jersey. Members come from tribes throughout the country. The group is dedicated to educating the public about American Indian culture and history. Members facilitate programs for schools, corporations, universities and health-care organizations.
“We feel it is important to educate the public, to counter stereotypes,” said Helen Rende, vice president of the organization. “We develop presentations to meet the needs of our audiences, using different modalities. Sometimes we may do a craft workshop, a demonstration of dance and music, a lecture or film presentation. Our programming for schools meets the curriculum guidelines for grades K through 12,” Rende said.
Meetings are held once a month on Saturdays at the log cabin in Thompson Park, which is located beside the lake and opposite the animal enclosure. The meetings run from 2 to 4 p.m.
On Feb. 16, attendees will get ready for powwow season by learning American Indian social dances and watching awardwinning Matt White Eagle Clair hoop dance. On March 15, Mary Anne Ross will discuss how to preserve individuals’ own family legacies.
For more information about the meetings or to arrange for a speaker, contact Mary Anne Ross at (732) 238-3792 or email [email protected]. Partial funding for the program is provided by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Historical Commission/Department of State.