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A piece of Native American culture was shared by all who attended the Trail of Tears Commemoration in Laughlin Park in Waynesvile on Saturday.
Waynesville Mayor Cliff Hammock opened the ceremonies with an acknowledgement of the dark period in American history.
“I hope we learn as Americans never to make that kind of mistake again,” Hammock said.
Luge Hardman, Waynesville city councilwoman, addressed the crowd giving an overview of city plans for the Cherokee encampment site.
The city is working with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Park Service to light the trail, put a permanent exhibit on the site, and make other improvements.
“The city is dedicated to making this a wonderful site for people to visit,” Hardman said.
Andy Girty, a Cherokee elder from Lawrence, Kan. gave a history of the Cherokee Nation and, using blessed cedar, smudged or cleansed the site with an eagle feather. Attendees were invited to step up and take part in the ceremony by using the feather to smudge themselves.
Local Cherokee representative Jim Strain honored the attendees with a drumming demonstration in which the crowd was invited to take part in the native dance led by his wife, Jean.
Other Native American traditions were represented in demonstrations around the site.
Alice Wood and her family were demonstrating how to make “Indian Fry Bread”, a tradition that was born out of necessity for Native Americans who were forced onto reservations. The family is of the Ho-Chunk Nation out of Black River Falls, Wis.
Delores Anderlik and her 13 year-old-daughter, Randi, both Sioux, were demonstrating the making of dream catchers. They shared the legend of the dream catcher with attendees, as well as answering questions from interested onlookers.
The event was well received by the crowd and many people participated in the various demonstrations.
A piece of Native American culture was shared by all who attended the Trail of Tears Commemoration in Laughlin Park in Waynesvile on Saturday.
Waynesville Mayor Cliff Hammock opened the ceremonies with an acknowledgement of the dark period in American history.
“I hope we learn as Americans never to make that kind of mistake again,” Hammock said.
Luge Hardman, Waynesville city councilwoman, addressed the crowd giving an overview of city plans for the Cherokee encampment site.
The city is working with the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Park Service to light the trail, put a permanent exhibit on the site, and make other improvements.
“The city is dedicated to making this a wonderful site for people to visit,” Hardman said.
Andy Girty, a Cherokee elder from Lawrence, Kan. gave a history of the Cherokee Nation and, using blessed cedar, smudged or cleansed the site with an eagle feather. Attendees were invited to step up and take part in the ceremony by using the feather to smudge themselves.
Local Cherokee representative Jim Strain honored the attendees with a drumming demonstration in which the crowd was invited to take part in the native dance led by his wife, Jean.
Other Native American traditions were represented in demonstrations around the site.
Alice Wood and her family were demonstrating how to make “Indian Fry Bread”, a tradition that was born out of necessity for Native Americans who were forced onto reservations. The family is of the Ho-Chunk Nation out of Black River Falls, Wis.
Delores Anderlik and her 13 year-old-daughter, Randi, both Sioux, were demonstrating the making of dream catchers. They shared the legend of the dream catcher with attendees, as well as answering questions from interested onlookers.
The event was well received by the crowd and many people participated in the various demonstrations.
