By Staff
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians would like to remind folks that the general public is cordially invited to attend the first of several fundraisers that will benefit the Band's annual Labor Day pow wow.
An afternoon of fine dining and entertainment is scheduled this Saturday, April 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Wood Fire, 134 S. Front St., Dowagiac. An all-inclusive served meal will start the event, followed by a Native American dance demonstration featuring two Pokagon Band young adults.
Teresa Magnuson, a woman's fancy shawl dancer, and Marcus Winchester, a traditional male dancer, will demonstrate various styles of dance. A silent auction wraps up the event. Included in the auction will be a cedar box crafted by Gerald Wesaw, a Pokagon elder, two books about Pokagon culture and history, a $50 savings bond from 5th/3rd Bank and dozens of gift certificates to restaurants, salons, auto service centers, a portrait package and a variety of other items.
Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital has donated two gift certificates for medical tests – one for "blood chemistry" ($325) and the other for a mammogram ($225).
Other items include a ceramic table lamp from Imperial Furniture valued at $198 and a Brighton clock from The Marshall Shoppe worth $36.
Gift certificates abound, including those from the following businesses: Creative Vinyl Signs: $100, Who Knew Consignment: $50, Zeke's Restaurant: $40, Wood Fire: two $25 each, and many others.
Tickets for the event are $25 each and may be purchased either in advance or at the door (at the same price).
Tickets are available at Wood Fire and the Pokagon Band Tribal Council lodge, 56820 Sink Road in Pokagon Township. To order tickets by phone, call (269) 782-9602, 782-6323 or (616) 610-0749. Included in the ticket price is the choice of one of four entrees: ribs, pot roast, cod fritti or wild mushroom lasagna (vegetarian selection), soup or salad, bread and a beverage.
Desserts can be ordered a la carte.
Kevin Daugherty, Pokagon Band tribal citizen and pow wow committee member says, "We're excited that the tribe will once again be hosting its annual pow wow on tribal land. It was a big event for us last year to host the pow wow for the first time ever on tribal land. One of the benefits of doing so is to be able to reach out to the nearby community and let them know who we are. The upcoming fundraiser is another opportunity for the tribe to reach out to the community in a positive way. The fundraiser will also help the pow wow to be self-reliant."
This year's pow wow dates are Aug. 30 and 31, the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.