Piscataway Nation vibrantly shares American Indian culture
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor
The Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers, who carry on the long-standing traditions and culture of their Indigenous ancestors, traveled to Penn College for a Thursday performance in Penn's Inn.
More than 50 people attended the educational and entertaining event – many as active participants – helping the college observe National American Indian Heritage Month.
Chief Mark Tayac, the 29th generation of hereditary chiefs, spoke of the many contributions made by American Indians (the term preferred by him and the troupe) – including Earth Day and lacrosse, which are enjoyed today in other forms.
Theirs is a proud culture, he said, and such public appearances help dispel the unauthentic media images from western movies, cartoons and sports mascots.
Alumnus Joseph M. Harber (’11, radiography) of Tomahawks taco restaurant in Mifflinburg, catered the after-event, including smoked turkey cornbread, venison chili cornbread, squash sauce cornbread and maple cornbread.
Harber enjoyed meeting Christine L. Eckenrod, radiography director, and Allen R. Smith, radiography clinical director, as they moved through the food line.
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