For Immediate Release - August 7, 2008

6650 E. Broadway • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone: 989-775-4750 • Fax: 989-775-4770
Hours Of Operation

Contact:
Stefanie Dombrowski, Sales & Events Coordinator • sdombrowski@sagchip.org
Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways • 6650 E. Broadway • Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone 989.775.4744 • Fax 989.775.4770 • www.sagchip.org/ziibiwing

For Immediate Release - August 7, 2008

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan-

The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways hosted a three-day celebration of American Indian culture aptly named NativeFest July 30-August 1, 2008. The Center partnered this year with Exclusive Sponsor, National City.

The 3rd Annual Indian Car Bingo held in the Ziibiwing Center parking lot on July 30 was bigger and better than the previous year. One pontoon boat, one golf cart, and 61 cars totaling 153 registrants enjoyed a rousing evening of bingo led by caller and Tribal Councilman, Bernard Sprague. All proceeds from Indian Car Bingo will support educational and cultural programming at the Ziibiwing Center.

The Music & Comedy Night held on the grounds of the Ziibiwing Center on July 31 attracted over 435 people from all ages and walks of life. This event was a kick-off for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan's month-long celebration to promote sobriety and wellness in the community. Fun for the entire family, an hour-long comedic performance by Mitch Factor had the crowd laughing with delight. The musical stylings of THE ROCKHOPPERS and Kevin Chamberlain had people dancing and singing along. Caricatures by artists Mary Rochelle and Walt Griggs, balloon animals by Michael Philo, face painting, two bounce houses, and sand pools kept the little ones happy and energized. The evening included dinner and was free and open to the public. The Music & Comedy Night was made possible by our Exclusive Sponsor, National City.

NativeFest concluded on August 1 with a special one-day collection showing of the Naub-cow-zo-win Disks. Held in conjunction with Alpena's Jesse Besser Museum, museum curator Richard Clute was present to discuss these one of a kind objects of personal significance that were recovered from a beach on Thunder Bay in Alpena, Michigan. Naub-cow-zo-win Disks can best be described as sedimentary slate disks that were treasured by the Anishinabek during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. These disks were inscribed with spiritual symbols that continue to influence the traditional beliefs of the Anishinabek today. Over 60 people interacted with these unique disks that have never before been displayed to a general audience.

The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan is the Midwest's Premier American Indian Museum. Established in 2004, the Ziibiwing Center is a distinctive treasure created to provide an enriched, diversified, and culturally relevant educational experience through its award-winning Diba Jimooyung (Telling Our Story) permanent exhibit, changing exhibits, research center, Ojibwe language immersion room, and gift shop. The Ziibiwing Center is a non-profit cultural center and museum belonging to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan who also own Michigan's only four diamond casino resort, the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, and the recently opened Saganing Eagle Landing Casino located in Standish, Michigan.

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