This past weekend, River Island Art Park in Woonsocket, RI was host to the “First Light Powwow at Niswasoket.” The Powwow marked the seventh in an annual series of gatherings of Eastern Algonquin tribes for a celebration of culture. The event started Saturday, May 20th and continued through Sunday evening.
An opening ceremony at Saturday’s festivities
The Powwow was organized by Daryl Black Eagle Jamieson, a Woonsocket resident and a member of the Eastern Medicine Singers, a traditional drum group performing songs in the Massachusett & Wampanoag dialects. In addition to the Eastern Medicine Singers, several other regional Native groups gave musical performances at the Powwow. Musical performances were accompanied by traditional dancers. Traditional arts and crafts from a variety of vendors were also sold at the event.
An ensemble drum performance in the River Island Art Park gazebo
NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley provided support for the event in the form of a grant through our Creative Placemaking initiative.
A traditional smudging ceremony
Creative Placemaking is an initiative to support arts and culture in downtown Woonsocket. The initiative is generously sponsored by LISC RI and the Kresge Foundation, organizations that place a high value in the power of art to build community and believe in creative and artistic solutions to today’s most pressing problems. Click here for more information about Creative Placemaking and how to propose a project.
