081311 press release

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

Contact:
Stefanie Griffin, Sales & Events Coordinator • SGriffin@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 13, 2011

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways hosted a three-day celebration of American Indian culture aptly named NativeFest on August 3 - 5, 2011. The Center partnered again this year with Exclusive Sponsor, PNC Bank and set record-breaking attendance at Car Bingo.

The 6th Annual Indian Car Bingo held in the Ziibiwing Center parking lot on August 3 included one pontoon boat, one golf cart, and 161 cars totaling 349 registrants. The record number of registrants enjoyed a rousing evening of bingo led by caller, Bernie Sprague. One lucky winner won $1,000 from the grand prize cover-all. Another lucky guest won $893.50 from a 50/50 raffle. 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 4 attracted over 550 people from all ages and walks of life. This event also kicked-off 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 Don Burnstick had the crowd laughing with delight.

The musical stylings of Mawla Shawana and Kelly Jackson had people 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, PNC Bank

NativeFest concluded on August 5 with a special Honoring Our Youth - Part 1 Collection Showing. The Ziibiwing Center recognizes and promotes the creativity of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan's youth. Their artistic contributions possess great self-awareness and many were created for the preservation of traditional beliefs and life experiences. Several visitors to the Ziibiwing Center viewed these unique items on the final day of NativeFest.

The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways in Mount Pleasant, Mich. 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, gift shop, Wi-Fi coffee & media lounge, and meeting rooms. 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 Saganing Eagles Landing Casino located in Standish, Mich.

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