National Museum of the American Indian’s Mvskoke Etvlwv: The Muscogee People Festival

WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation present Mvskoke Etvlwv: The Muscogee People Festival. This three-day event will take place Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 16. The festival will celebrate heritage, tribal history and culture of the Muscogee Creek Nation with dance demonstrations and an art market  from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is pleased and honored, once again, to present ‘Mvskoke Etvlwv: The Muscogee People Festival,’” said Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger. “Muscogee culture, history, traditions and contemporary government are all aspects that we are proud to share with any and every one, especially on a national stage such as the NMAI.  The three days of cultural demonstrations, historical drama and tribal program information are sure to enlighten and bring understanding to all those who visit the National Museum.  Once again, we are honored and greatly anticipate our visit. Mvto (thank you)!”

The celebration will include the event a Dinner & A Movie: This May Be the Last Time on Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Rasmuson Theater at 7 p.m. The movie recounts that when in 1962 Pete Harjo mysteriously went missing after his car crashed on a rural bridge in Sasakwa, Okla. Members of the Seminole Indian community searched for him while singing songs of faith and hope that had been passed on for generations. This film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in January 2014. A discussion with director Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek) will follow the presentation.

A special play will be presented throughout the festival at 2 p.m. daily in the Rasmuson Theater. “The Dawes Commission,” set in 1904, focuses on a Muscogee family who is visited by an agent from the Dawes Commission. The agent’s orders are to persuade the Creeks to accept allotment. The play is in Muscogee with English supertitles.

The festival will bring special native food to our Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe. During all three days of the event, visitors will be able to see and buy arts & crafts of nine artisans:


·      Tricia Alexander—Cultural Food Information

·      Dan Beaver— War Clubs and Ballsticks

·      Harry and Diane Beaver— Basket Weaving

·      Jimmy and Ceka Deere— Ballsticks

·      Darla Dirksen— Baskets

·      Nelson “Scotty” Harjo—Flutes

·      Mary Smith—Baskets and Mats

·      Dana Tiger—Contemporary Art

·      Sandy Wilson—Cultural Crafts, Jewelry, Textiles

Several demonstrations will be held daily in the Potomac Atrium. Each day starts with an Opening Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. followed by posting of colors. A Stomp Dance group will do a dance demonstration at 12 and 3:30 p.m. A Creek Hymnal singing group will sing at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors will watch a Flute performance at 12:30 p.m.

Our imagiNATIONS center on the third floor will hold activities for kids of all ages. A Finger weaving demonstration will be presented at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. Ongoing coloring will happen all three days at 12 and 4 p.m.

For more details about the festival, visit www.AmericanIndian.si.edu. Join the conversation on Twitter @SmithsonianNMAI and use the hashtag #MuscogeeFestNMAI

Additional Information: Departments will be loading a box truck today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and artists, ceremonial ground members, crafts people and others will be leaving Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6 a.m. in two of the tribe’s charter buses. MCN Cultural Center & Archives Interim Director Justin Giles will be available for interviews leading up to departure day.

Webcast Information: The webcast will cover as many of Saturday’s events as possible.