Ranger Jake once again organized an impressive and smooth running Native American Heritage Days at the North Rim Grand Canyon National Park. Demonstrators from several of the local tribes set up sharing basket making, jewelry making and pottery. Plus some outstanding music and dance.
Due to threatening skies and wind Thursday evening’s events were brought inside the Lodge auditorium. Friday the demonstrators came inside also. I’m not used to taking pictures inside so these aren’t the best quality.
Bill came up for the first day of activities on my day off. We hiked the 2 miles from my RV to the Lodge along the Transept Trail. Not too far along near the public campground I saw a couple sitting at a picnic table and heard the woman say, “Isn’t that Bill?” followed by the man saying, “Isn’t that Gaelyn?” Turned out to be the Carter’s from Kanab who knew us both, just not necessarily together. Chatted with them a bit then continued along the rim admiring the canyon view.
Derek’s three sons accompanied him and the youngest at 2-years old absolutely stole the show. Middle son had his arm in a cast so didn’t participate much this year.
Two of the boys performed the Eagle Dance.
Then Derek and his oldest son performed the Horse Dance.
Miss Hopi 2015 spoke about her mission to represent her people.
Then Derek brought out the hoops and it seemed there were too many until his littlest assistant came out and stole the show.
Ramson, a Hopi glass blower and speaker the first night talked about Hopi culture.
The second night Deon Ben, who I introduced, spoke about Navajo, or Dine, culture. This is an outstanding celebration of multi-cultures coming together at Grand Canyon’s North Rim every year the first Thursday and Friday of August.
Looks and sounds great. I really miss this event and the western days they were my favorite weekends!
This was one of the best Heritage Days ever. Sorry you weren’t here.
Thanks for sharing. Loved the pics of Derek and his young off spring. Would love to have been there.
Wish you’d been here too.
I wait for you to write about this all year long. It’s been 3 years since we were there to see it I think. I keep hoping and hoping we can get back but forever things keep preventing it. Thanks so much for these great pictures of the canyon to open this post and the wonderful pictures of the Native Americans. Sorry it was inside this year, such dancing should always be outside. Did it rain?
So hard to believe we probably crossed trails when you were here before. I do hop you can make it back. Derek actually said he preferred to be inside on a smooth floor than the rough limestone on the veranda. It did rain a little Thurs night and poured on Fri.
Gaelyn, a great post! I have to tell you though — coming from Seattle area — the word ‘demonstrators’ brings out such a negative response (we’ve had quite a few in recent years who like to disrupt other peoples’ gatherings, commuters travel and such to make a point) that when I read the first sentence on FB I thought, “Oh no, not demonstrators there too!” A beautiful activity and wonderful demonstrators you photographed.
Thanks Jackie. I hadn’t thought about the negative connotation to “demonstrators” as they were just sharing their skills.
Stuff like this is great. Educational, eye opening, and help people get outside themselves and their culture a little bit. Plus just plain interesting and fun.
It’s always a feel good festival and I believe visitors get a lot from it.
Looks as if that little cutie really did steal the show! What a fun and informative event for visitors to the canyon. It must be pretty warm at the canyon these days. When does it start to cool down a bit, and when does your season wrap up?
Heritage Days is always a good event for the visitors. Rather warm but only in the mid-80s. Should start a cool down next month. My season lasts until Oct 15.
So enjoyed the photos showing the native costumes and the dance celebrations. Of course, I always love the shots of the Canyon.
Thanks Barb. Was a fun event.
Would love to experience a celebration like this. Do you also include a lot of art and craft or only talks and demonstrations?
The demonstrators show their arts and crafts but can’t sell anything because it’s in the park.
I would love to see this dancing, so different to the African dancing I am used to. Love the 2 year old, but glad he is being brought up to know and understand his heritage. Diane
Derek is very conscious of raising his sons to know their own culture.
Very interesting and a great way to share culture.
Would love to see this sometime!