Mich. parade
Mary.Ojibway (20676mkb@msu.edu)
Fri, 3 Jun 1994 12:16:00 EDT
This is specifically directed toward the Michigan folks on the list. I don't
know how many of you are aware of the "Parade into the 21st Century" that will
be held every year until the turn of the century. It is supposed to represent
all of Michigan marching into the future. I was involved last year with the
local zoo but this year I sat it out and watched it on television. I did not
see one single representative of the Michigan Native American community.
Assuming I had missed them somewhere along the line, I asked others who
attended the parade. They said they also had been keenly aware of that void. I
talked to a member on the Board of Directors at our local center about it. I
wondered what sort of effect it has on our children to see everyone BUT them
marching along as part of Michigan's future. Will they be left behind? Aren't
they going to be aroung in the 21st century, too? Admittedly, it is just a
parade but I think it is ONE of the MANY places that our children can be proud
participants in a major event. The reason I am posting this to Native-L is to
make you aware that such a parade exists and that the organizers are very
eager to have Nat. Am. participants. If anyone would be interested in
submitting an application to march with your group, it isn't too early to
contact the parade organizer. His name is DUANE VERNON. He can be contacted at
the Lansing Credit Exchange @ 517/482-9896 or at home @ 517/321-3093.
Naturally he kept stressing our part in the history of Michigan and suggested
ceremonial garb be worn. While agreeing that we do celebrate Indian heritage
at many pow-wows, feasts, and gatherings I mentioned that the people in this
area are also professionals, members of local sports teams and pursue a host
of interests and activities. I reminded him that this is a parade to march
into the FUTURE so we hoped to put together an entry that would represent many
facets of our community as opposed to one entirely devoted to "crowd appeal".
The youth group at the center will have the say as far as what sort of
entry they want to put together. I am merely a facilitator. I suggest that
anyone interested in participating give serious thought to what YOU want to
represent in the parade and stick to your guns. Here's hoping we will see some
of you there next May!
Kate Ojibway