AURIESVILLE — The Metis Nation of North American and Canadian Bands will hold its annual St. Kateri Tekakwitha Powwow July 1 through 4 at Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine, Noeltner Road.
St. Kateri is honored at each day’s opening ceremony with the performance of the “Kateri Honor Song,” sung by Pat Whyland in Mohawk, followed by Grand Entry, during which all veterans are honored, a news release said.
The public is welcome to attend this event, which includes the Aztec Dancers, native dancers, native food, vendors, exhibitions of native crafts, candy for children in the “candy dance,” and a free public auction at about 7 p.m. July 2 at the pavilion. The auction items include native crafts, jewelry and other items.
This Mobile Veterans Center will be on the powwow grounds July 3 and 4. The many services they provide are free to all eligible veterans and their families. Some of these services include counseling, outreach and education, employment, Veterans Administration benefits and referrals, and substance-abuse assessment and referral.
The cost at the gate is $8 per person; $6 for seniors; and free to children younger than 5, the disabled and nursing home residents.
The money collected at the gate helps pay for scholarships for native children. Some of the proceeds are shared with the shrine.
