Fredonia Heritage proudly announces that for its 6th annual Heritage Day, November 15, Martha Williams and her husband Ronnie Williams, Chief of the Southeastern Mvskoke Nation, Incorporated, will represent the rich culture of Fredonia’s earliest people. Citizens of one of the nine Alabama state recognized tribes, the Williams will be wearing their regalia as they present their replica of a Native American hunting camp where he will demonstrate flintknapping and they will also exhibit and sell other items which he has made. Although the Williams are both retired, she from nursing and he from 37 years with Pemco World Air Service, they stay quite busy. Ms. Martha has served as secretary-treasurer for the Mvskoke Creek; they are both members of the Midland City United Methodist Church where he serves as Board Chairman. The Williams enjoy traveling and have spent two summers on the Mescalero Apache reservation in New Mexico; just before coming to Fredonia, they will have been actively involved in activities at the annual Fort Toulouse festival. The Williams who are freely donating their time declare, “we do this for our Native heritage.” Fredonia Heritage president, Judy Collins, says, “We have to believe that Martha’s great grandmother, Nancy Emmaline Fredonia Tredaway Mitchell, must have had special connections with our area. We are honored to receive this gift of service from descendants of our earliest people. We also give special appreciation to Fredonians and Mvskoke Creeks, Elbert and Lily McCarley, who arranged for the Williams’ participation this year when it is hoped the Mvskoke Creeks will lead everyone in a Friendship Dance. Local Native Americans, from Valley, who are participating in this year’s Heritage festival are Lee and Wanda Smith, he Creek, she Cherokee. The Smiths have just returned to their White Crow Trading Post in Valley after participating in the week long Native American festival in Moundville AL, near Tuscaloosa. Information from the University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological website explains, “Ancient rulers and thousands of their subjects thrived in a city behind huge wooden walls that once surrounded the Moundville site. These prehistoric Native Americans farmed, hunted and fished. Their society recognized nobles by birth and praised the feats of great artists, warriors and holy people. Each year, descendants of this vibrant culture return, celebrating the South’s rich Indian heritage at the Moundville Native American Festival.” Fredonians welcome the Smiths returning this year to their annual Heritage celebration. In addition to demonstrating flintknapping and selling their crafts, the Smiths can also speak about their Moundville experience. Fredonia Heritage similarly welcomes the return of Janet and Gary Smith from Ashland, she, Creek; he, Cherokee. Janet is president of the Alabama Medicinal Herb Association. They will discuss medicinal values of plants they bring and salves they will have for sale. Also members of the Hoochee Poosa Locovore chapter of Slow Foods International, they can talk about their permaculture work as well as work in helping create local school gardens (The HPL chapter has members throughout the Chattahoochee-Tallapossa River Valley areas who prefer to eat local, and where possible organic foods. It meets monthly and welcomes interested people). A newcomer to Fredonia’s Heritage Festival is 24 year old Cody Foster from Pine Mountain GA who is not Native American but has been strongly influenced by their rich culture. Cody “received his first Native American flute in 2007, which began his love for not only playing the flute but creating Native American reproduction arts and crafts. . . .he has entertained during visits to the Cherokee Reservation in Cherokee NC. . . .[and] has created and sold numerous Native American style art items involving freehand drawing, painting, carving and metal art forms.” Fredonia Heritage is delighted to welcome Cody---and all who can attend our free Fredonia Heritage Day, without admission or parking fees. Donations to help carry forward this festival tradition and to help Fredonia Heritage “preserve the best of yesterday for today and tomorrow” will be gratefully received.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 03:09:20 +0000
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