POWWOW Calendar

Grand Valley American Indian Lodge Celebrates 50th Year Powwow

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Share Powwow Pictures and Stories »

15 Powwow Weekend

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - In the early 1960s a group of American Indians and non-Indians in Grand Rapids, Michigan, were determined to keep American Indian culture alive. In 1961 they formed the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge.

Back then, the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge provided a cohesive force to the American Indian community in Grand Rapids. This was a time when many of the Michigan tribes were not yet reaffirmed or recognized by the federal government. Urban American Indians wanted to be around other American Indians. The Lodge provided the means for the Indian community to come together.

The Lodge provided monthly potluck dinners and other community gatherings. Soon after its inception the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge began its annual powwow.

Even now with twelve recognized federal tribes in Michigan, the Lodge still serves the needs of the American Indian community through its dinners and powwows.

"The 50th anniversary is a very important milestone for the Lodge," Lori Shustha, Ottawa /Mohawk, director of the Lodge. "Even though the mission has changed over the years, the open membership and community service is still there. If you respect the Native American culture you are welcome in this lodge. Our 50th anniversary book, 'For the Love of a Culture' will be available at the powwow."

Each year on the weekend after Labor Day, the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge hosts a powwow along the banks of the Grand River, two miles north of downtown Grand Rapids. The two-day event is held in conjunction with other activities in Grand Rapids called "Celebration on the Grand."

Through the years, the powwow has grown to a crowd of 40,000 people, according to the City of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation Department.

Below is the list of the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge 50th Anniversary Powwow and other powwows taking place this weekend:

Grand Valley American Indian Lodge 50th Anniversary Powwow
September 10 - 11
Riverside Park
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Six Nations Fall Fair
September 8 - 11
Ohsweken, Ontario

42nd United Tribes International
September 8 - 11
Lone Star Arena
Bismarck, North Dakota

22nd Sycuan Powwow & Traditional Gathering
September 9 - 11
Sycuan Reservation Powwow Grounds
El Cajon, California

49th National Championship
September 9 - 11
Traders Village
Grand Prairie, Texas

23rd Trail of Tears
September 9 - 11
Trail of Tears Park
Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Veterans and Warriors
September 9 - 11
City Point Park
Dayton, Tennessee

Southern Ute
September 9 - 11
Sky Ute Fair Grounds
Ignacio, Colorado

4th Crooked River All Nation
September 10 - 11
Keyser Park
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Naples
September 10 - 11
Sunrise Cove Road
Naples, Maine

Nanticoke Indian Association
September 10 - 11
Powwow Grounds
Millsboro, Delaware

31st Nipmuck Powwow
September 10 - 11
Lake Slog Park
Holland, Massachusetts

City of Haverhill
September 10 - 11
Plug Pond
Haverhill, Massachusetts

Harvest Moon Honoring Our Veterans
September 10 - 11
Flint Ridge Road
Glenford, Ohio

25th Indian Summer
September 9 - 11
200 North Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

posted September 8, 2011 9:50 am edt