The drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth....

....in the culture of the Native Americans. Today Jennie, Mae (the "birthday girl", who turned 3 today) & I went to the Indian Summer Festival at the Lakefront. We started out at the "Pow Wow", held in the main arena. The Native Americans who have come from all over the U.S. enter into the arena in full regalia, which is spectacular to see. The headdresses, feathers, and manner of regalia is determined by which tribe they belong to. The festival also features drum jams, dancing, craft demonstrations, geneology, music, Lakeshore encampments, etc.  It's my favorite of all the festivals held here during the summer. I loved the "wolf dancer", which is my main blip. I've included some other pictures in the extras: 1.)an Eagle Feather Staff (Eagle feathers being sacred in Native American culture), 2.) one of the dancers in the opening ceremony, 3.)one of the women dancers performing "the butterfly dance", 4.) one of the friendly members of the Woodland Sky Dance Company  5.)The Dance of the Hunter, chasing a "deer", & 6.) one of the re-enactors.  This year they also hosted the Dance Academy of Mexico's Aztec Dancers, who we really wanted to see perform, but we still had almost 2 hours before they were to perform, and the birthday girl was pretty tired, so we headed home.  Now for some Birthday Cake!!   :)))