Maliseets plan recognition day

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    LITTLETON — The Houlton Band of Maliseets will hold its 30th annual Recognition Day on Saturday, Sept. 18 to commemorate the anniversary of becoming a federally recognized tribe.
    According to Brenda Commander, tribal chief for the Maliseets, the theme of this year’s event is “Gathering of the Clans.”
    “Every year we have a theme for our celebration,” Commander said. “Initially, it was an event to observe being federally recognized, but it’s grown over the years. We have a lot of other recognized tribes come, as well as people from around town. It really is an exciting time. It’s a chance to show some of our culture.”
    On Oct. 10, 1980, the federal government officially recognized the Houlton Band of Maliseets as a Native American tribe.
    “We start with a pipe ceremony, which is something people should see if they have never experienced it before,” Commander said.
    A schedule of activities planned at 88 Bell Road in Littleton from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is as follows:
    8 a.m. — Registration begins
    10 a.m. — Opening ceremony (smudging and pipe ceremony)
    10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. — Bingo will be played
    11 a.m. — Grand Entry
    Noon – 2 p.m. — Commemorative postal stamp cancellation
    Noon – 4 p.m. — Hay rides, children’s games, drumming and dancing
    At 5 p.m., a community feast, featuring traditional Native American foods, will be held at the gymnasium on the Foxcroft Road followed by a bonfire at 7 p.m. and cribbage tournament.
    “We welcome members from the public to come and experience our culture,” Commander said. “There is also a chance to participate in the dancing. It’s a chance to build bridges with different groups in our community.”
    For more information, contact Dana Boyce at 538-7142.