First Peoples Festival In Doylestown Celebrates Native American Culture

DOYLESTOWN, PA - Bucks County Native Americans shared their traditions and culture with the public during the first ever First Peoples Festival on June 11.

The event, organized by Bucks County-based Arrows 4 Native Americans, took place on the grounds of the Pebble Hill Church in Doylestown Township where vendors lined the front lawn and a drum cadence filled the air.

The day opened with a powerfully moving ceremony led by Chief Gentlemoon Chuck DeMund who paid homage to the four directions, the sun, the stars and the moon.

Cynthia Greb, the president of Arrows, also introduced the gathering to Arrows and shared information about the organization, which endeavors to educate about indigenous cultures and issues and to raise money in support of indigenous initiatives.

Beneath a large tent, shielded from the occasional rain drops falling from the sky, Chief Gentlemoon Chuck DeMund was leading his drum group - the Itchy Dog Singers - in a series of Native American powwow songs and chants.

Just outside of the tent Ellen DeMund was demonstrating the intricate craft of beading, capturing tiny beads with the end of a needle and adding them to her beautiful creations.

Nearby, Barbara “Bluejay” Michalski of Penndel was leading a series of Native American games and crafts in the children’s area where kids were tossing corncobs through hula hoops as they were rolling by. The corncobs represented arrows and the hula hoops were deer.

“Traditionally the boys were the hunters so they taught them games so they could develop their hand and eye coordination,” explained Bluejay. “It’s nice to have events like this so that we can share our culture with others,” she said.

At a table nearby, donated socks and shoes were piling up as a continuous stream of people brought donations for the Lakota Tribes in South Dakota.

Manning the table was Cynthia Greb, the president of Arrows, who will make the pilgrimage across the country later this year to deliver the donations to the Pine Ridge Reservation where 97 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

Oglala Lakota County, located in Pine Ridge, is the poorest county in the nation. In the past, Arrows has previously donated clothing, coats and other needed items.

Greb was thrilled by the donations of shoes and socks piling up on the table in front of her expressing her thanks to everyone who contributed.

With Greb was JoAnne Wolke, of Standing Rock. She was there representing the Lakota. Her great-great-great|great uncle was an interpreter of Sitting Bull.

Throughout the afternoon, many took in the music of the Brother Sun Band as they enjoyed freshly-made tacos from the Andale Latino Grill in Feasterville. Levittown Scout Troop 168 was also there offering hot dogs and soda to hungry guests.

The afternoon culminated in a beautiful and moving Native American “Round Dance,” which connected people of all faiths, colors and ages, on the expansive lawn in front of the church on the Edison-Furlong Road.