Joseph Blanchard, Absentee Shawnee Cultural Preservation Director and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, explained that he got the idea for the national all-inclusive Shawnee festival several months ago. He imagined the event as a collaborative effort presenting Shawnee people and their culture as a contemporary group who still actively practice their traditions and speak their language.

“I wanted to convey this message on a national stage, that although we live in the modern world, we continue to hold on to our ways and are working to further revitalize our language and traditions and pass them on to our young people,” said Blanchard.

Leaders of the Eastern Shawnee tribe and the Shawnee tribe readily agreed to join the efforts and are taking their dances, art, history, storytelling and language to the NMAI. The museum will live stream some of the events on their website on Friday.

The Festival begins today and continues through Saturday, June 13. Citizens from the three Shawnee tribes will perform traditional dances and demonstrate crafts and games. Children will have an opportunity to make their own “Indian dice” out of wood. The Festival includes presentations about Shawnee history and treaties with the United States as well as a performance of “Tecumseh’s Vision,’ at the Rasumson Theater at the Museum.