TRAVERSE CITY -- For those looking to explore Native American culture, language, music and more, the Crooked Tree Arts Council in Petoskey presents a unique opportunity Saturday.
In conjunction with the Odawa Casino Resort, the arts council will present Anishnaabe Day, which will offer a glimpse into Native American culture and also celebrate the diversity that it offers the area.
"It's all about knowing how our likenesses fit together with our diversity," said Mary Wiklanski, cultural coordinator at Crooked Tree Arts Council. "The bottom line is there's no hidden agenda, it's just all to share and to come together. That's a big part of what they do all the time."
The day's events kick off at 11 a.m. when Odawa Elder, Raymond Kiogima of Harbor Springs, will give a talk on the Odawa language.
"He put down for all time the actual alphabet and the language that they use to speak," she said. "Things like that go away if people don't find a way to make them permanent."
Kiogima will also discuss his book, "Odawa Language and Legends: Andrew J. Blackbird and Raymond Kiogima." "He's going to have his book here and talk about the language and maybe teach us a few worlds," she said.
It's that sharing of cultures that has created a bridge between different cultures, Wiklanski said. "They've become very sharing over the years," she said of the relationship between the arts council and the Odawa tribe. "To me, that says that they trust us. It's a matter of respect on both sides."
At noon, Yvonne Walker Keshick, will share the art of Quill boxes. "It's one of those crafts that's a huge part of their history," she said.
Keshick was taught the fine art by her aunt, Mary Anne Kiogima, one of the region's finest quill workers of the 20th century. Keshick began making porcupine quill boxes in 1968 and eventually became a master and teacher in her own right.
And while many Native Americans grow up steeped in the history of their tribes, for Traverse City's Lawrence "Pun" Plamondon, it was a slightly different path that brought him to his roots.
"He is a native person, however he didn't know that until he was a lot older," Wiklanski said. "He ended up connecting with a mentor in the Native American world and now this guy has written a book and has done a lot of things and does a lot of story telling."
Plamondon's book, "Lost from the Ottawa, A Story of the Journey Back," recounts the story of his life and how he went from the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list to becoming a respected Odawa tribal elder.
Following Plamondon's presentation, visitors can meet with the presenters and ask questions. Plamondon will being telling stories for all ages at 3 p.m..
"I think this event connects people differently," Wiklanski said. "Rather than just going in and listening to a lecture and going home, this will be a little more personal. They'll have a chance to talk to some of these speakers and I think, by the topics these people are going to talk about, it could have a life changing effect for some."
The final presenter of the day is Native American flutist Mark Thunderwolf, who is of Lakota and Eastern Band Cherokee Wolf Clan descent. Musician, Gary Rasmussen, will join him onstage.
Thunderwolf grew up playing more traditional music in bars and clubs, but it wasn't until 2001 when he was gifted his first flute that he finally felt a connection to his music. He is self-taught having learned to play by ear rather than studying written music.
Wiklanski hopes that participants will benefit from an afternoon of learning and sharing and that it will continue to blend the different cultures.
"I hope that they take away the same thing I hope I take away: I'd like to learn more about these people that live next door to us, down the street," she said. "It's the same thing with art and music, if you know a little bit more about whatever you're listening to or looking at, it makes more sense you find a connection."
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