Mingo Nation to come together at Rosewood Farms

A desire to unite the American Indian Mingo Nation was the thought behind next weekend's gathering at Rosewood Farms near Bascom.

The Mingo Nation United Remnant Band Gathering is set to take place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday

"The main reason that we wanted to have it is to pull people back together to become united as one again, to share the pow-wow with them," said Barbara Walter, event chairperson and mother of the Bear Clan. "This is our time to bring all people together and celebrate by ways of dance and food - native and non-native.

"The vendors come from many states, as well as the dancers, drummers and everyone, to enjoy a wonderful weekend of spiritual renewal and awakenings and the meeting together of many families and friends," she said.

The Mingo Nation URB is recognized both federally and in Ohio as a non-profit organization.

"We, as the Mingo Nation, were part of the five nations of the Iriquois Confederacy," Walter said. "We were originally known as the Ohio Seneca or Sandusky Seneca and later known as the Mingo."

The group accepts membership from other American Indian nations.

"Our purpose of the Mingo URB is for the people," she said. "The children are our next generation to come, so it is our responsibility to maintain culture and tradition, to reestablish language and to make our nation a better world for all generations to come.

"Our culture is a living experience of spiritual understanding within ourselves by ways of teaching, dancing, stories and daily living in harmony with everything upon Mother Earth," Walter said.

"The gathering is our way of bringing everyone together in harmony to express our way of celebrating through the dance circle," she said. Dancers honor their ancestors and ask for spiritual assistance with the needs of families and friends "as we dance upon Mother Earth with the heartbeat of the drums."

"We have a beginning and we live and breathe life as we all do until it comes full circle in the end when we become one of the beloved ancestors," she said.

Walter said gatherings usually are more than hour's drive from the Tiffin area.

"The URB had a couple in Kenton a few years ago," she said. "But nothing ongoing. The discussion came about to have another one. We were kind of appointed."

Walter said she had experience in planning the former Blanchard Pow-Wow in Findlay. Co-chairperson Is Judy Shoemaker, mother of the Turtle Clan.

The event is a "gathering," which is different from a "pow-wow" because there is no dance competition.

However, she said many dancers wear special clothing and items as they dance.

"Our regalia has many spiritual and special meanings to all who wear them," she said. "Many people have been given them through ancestors and, from the first stitch, bead, feather or skull, many prayers and hard work has gone into the finished regalia, making it all complete."

Lead drum is "Heartbeat of Life," an adult and youth drum. The Red Circle drum also plans to participate.

Arena director is Jeff "Eagle Heart" Meggitt of Tiffin. Head male dancer is Jared McKenzie of McClure and head female dancer is Michelle Hitem.

In addition to drumming and dancing, weekend plans include plenty of food such as buffalo burgers, jerky and snacks, walking tacos and a variety of other choices from four vendors - Kimmel's Mountain Man Meats, Mt. Blanchard; USA Concessions; Carousel Concessions; and Hawk Trading Post, Findlay.

The group plans to conduct a 50/50 drawing and a raffle for a beaded flute, as well as give away door prizes.

Walter said some tribe members have horses boarded at Rosewood Farms.

"That's how we got our location," she said.

During dance intermissions, she is hoping some of the equestrians will demonstrate their horsemanship skills.

Walter said she hopes the gathering will continue every year, but she isn't sure yet whether it would be at the same location.

The event is open to the public at Rosewood Farms, 2413 N. TR 111, north of Bascom. Suggested donation for admission is $4 for people ages 13 and older. Spectators should take along chairs and blankets to sit on.

Primitive camping is available for participants. For more information, call Walter at (419) 310-0719 or Shoemaker at (419) 694-1048.