Native American Weekend

“I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.” Lone Man (Isna-la-wica) Teton Sioux4braves

A war is a great undertaking. A business is a great undertaking. But daily tasks, the ordinary, the mundane? Well, that’s just life.

And what a great undertaking it is!

Native American peoples are known for their understanding of the value of life, their need for community and a desire to live their lives together.

Prickett’s Fort wants to honor the Native American culture in a distinct educational weekend. It’s not only time to learn, it’s time to celebrate!

2hawksspeakingNative American Weekend

Oct. 23-25

Friday and Saturday 10 –  4, Sunday noon- 4

Regular admission applies

Listen to the living history interpreters. Enjoy interactive displays, demonstrations and hands-on activities. (Think corn husk toys!)

History? What does Marion County have to do with Native American history?

Let’s recap:

Native Americans never quite made Marion County home. It was their job location— food and fur. This area was used for hunting game (which isn’t too much different than today).

There are wonderings about the Monongahela people having lived here. But no one really knows about them. They may have scattered to other tribes or passed away in the Little Ice Age. In some way, they vanished from here altogether.

The Native Americans that didn’t vanish settled elsewhere long before European settlers stumbled upon the continent. As the settlers moved in around the area, trading amongst the groups took place at Paw Paw.

You might think this means that the settlers and Native Americans had a great relationship around here. It’s not necessarily the case. Sharing hunting grounds— creating competition for food and fur— with people that don’t really like you anyway doesn’t make for a walk in the park.

As well, the settlers didn’t just want to hunt all the animals for themselves. They made this their home.

Blog author: Leah Nestor

Blog author: Leah Nestor

And thus the Fort was built. Depending on the settlers, the tribe, and what treaty was signed or broken, there could be violence or there could be calm.

This time in history wasn’t only a fight for land or livelihood. For both sides, it was a fight for life. And without the Native Americans, the settlers never would have made it. Their first few winters here were bad for the inexperienced, even deadly.

The conclusions to this tumultuous relationship? You’ll have to find that out at the Fort!

Prickett’s Fort Native American weekend encompasses native life and culture prior to the settlers, during and after.

 

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