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.