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Save the Date and join the “Ruidoso Mescalero Apache Honor Day Festival”: Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m. — 7 p.m. The Country Club Park in Midtown on the corner at 2180 Sudderth Dr. & Country Club is the centerpiece of the festivities. The festival will begin with a Unity & Honor Gathering on the J & S Stage
Artisan and food vendors will be there offering unique products.
The onstage gathering will be officiated by Mescalero Apache, Gina Klinekole, beginning with the entry of the color guard, the flag song, followed by a prayer and hymn in the Mescalero Apache language.
Introductions and welcoming of tribal, local, county and state leadership, including representatives from the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, will precede the hosts honoring the Mescalero Apache Tribe. There will be brief cultural presentations in recognition of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Dr. Negiel Bigpond from Mounds, Oklahoma will be a guest speaker for the Unity & Honor Gathering at the “Ruidoso Mescalero Apache Honor Day Festival”
Dr. Bigpond is a full blood Euchee/Yuchi Native American whose family was on the Trail of Tears. His Yuchi name is Au wa day, which means Sky Hunter, One Who Seeks Vision.
He teaches extensively about land issues and reconciliation. Dr. Bigpond has also published several books and is currently authoring a book dealing with forgiveness, not only from the Native American perspective of historical atrocities but, also the spiritual significance of forgiveness as it relates to all people.
He is the founder and president of the 2-Rivers Native American Training Center, founder of All Tribes DC and a globally sought after speaker addressing unity among Natives and nonnatives. His approach is focusing on the Indigenous people’s need to forgive, even if they have not been apologized to, and for nonnatives to acknowledge historical atrocities in understanding and honor for our Native American neighbors.
He along with then Senator Bromback (R) crafted the Resolution of Apology bill that was signed by President Barack Obama in 2009.” We are so grateful and excited that well-known musicians and artisans alike have wanted to participate in the vision. And there are several people from the Mescalero Apache tribe who are partnering with us to bring historical and cultural presentations that will offer a glimpse into tribal culture,” Estes said.
Following the Unity & Honor Gathering, festivities including live music will begin and artisans from many tribes will be set up in tepees and tents selling their artwork and handcrafted items.
The Mescalero Apache Lee Pike War Dance Group will be performing at scheduled times as well as Mescalero Apache Cultural & Historical Presentations in a tepee and an immersive Mescalero Apache Cultural Presentation with a Q & A session by artist, Lindsey Shakespeare.
Featured Mescalero Apache artists, Raul Davis, Jordan T and Lindsey Shakespeare have been invited to exhibit in various museums and the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market.
The J & S Stage will be featuring well known, award-winning musicians from various genres including three-time Grammy Winner and Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Miller, Mohican, from Nashville and award-winning Navajo Blues musician, “Levi Platero” as co-headliners.
The remaining live music lineup features The Riverwinds, songwriters and national award-winning musicians from Knoxville, Tennessee, Native Flute Player, Lanny Maddox, award-winning Blues band, Sam Barlow and the high energy Country Punk and Hillbilly Rock sounds from the Doso Dirt Bags.
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