081409 press release

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 14, 2009

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways hosted a three-day celebration of American Indian culture aptly named NativeFest on August 5 - 7, 2009. The Center partnered this year with Exclusive Sponsor, National City.

The 4th Annual Indian Car Bingo held in the Ziibiwing Center parking lot on August 5 was record-breaking. One pontoon boat, one golf cart, and 108 cars totaling 210 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 August 6 set a record as well and attracted over 550 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 Buddy Big Mountain 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 and Julie Wright, 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 7 with a special one-day collection showing of Silk Appliqué and Ribbonwork. This show displayed select pieces from the Ziibiwing Center's permanent collection and current day items donated by the community for this special exhibition. Over 120 people interacted with these unique items 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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