American Indian Heritage Celebration

Native Americans in North Carolina never lived in teepees. They wear regalia, not costumes, for their traditional dance. And they make up the largest population of American Indians east of the Mississippi, seventh-largest in the country.

The state's American Indians will be celebrated Saturday at the annual American Indian Heritage Celebration at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.

The festival, in its 13th year, features the music, food, dance and crafts of the state's eight recognized tribes: the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Lumbee, Haliwa-Saponi, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of Saponi Nation, Sappony and Waccamaw-Siouan.

The event is organized by the folks at the history museum working with representatives from each of the tribes.

Organizers' goal is to educate the community about the history of American Indians in North Carolina and break down myths and stereotypes, says Emily Grant, youth programs coordinator.

"It's something we should be proud of," she says. "They are a vital community in our state."

The free event runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the museum and out on Bicentennial Plaza, where there will be lots of dancing.

Hands-on activities, storytelling and demonstrations run throughout the day.

Fun activities for children include making sassafras tea bags or Cherokee word badges and playing games such as corncob darts and chunkey.

Don't miss the Grand Entry from noon to 12:30 p.m. featuring all the tribes.

What: American Indian Heritage Celebration

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday

Where: N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh

Who goes: All ages. Bead-making workshops at 1:40 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. are for ages 8 through 17. Sign-up at the front desk the day of the event.

More information: Call the museum at 807-7900 or go to ncmuseumofhistory.org.

Other highlights

[NOWEB]n Before the American Indian celebration, head over to the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade. It begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on Hillsborough Street at St. Mary's Street, proceeds to the State Capitol and then heads down Fayetteville Street. But get there early for the curbside seats and bring blankets and a big thermos of hot chocolate. For more information about the parade, go to www.grma.org.

• Experience "The Day It Snowed Tortillas" with the Crabgrass Puppets at the N.C. Museum of Art. The performance about a poor couple who cooks up a clever scheme to become rich is part of the museum's children's performance series. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. Get there early. Seating is limited. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Tickets are $3. Call 715-5923 for tickets, or go to ncartmuseum.org.
• There's still plenty of time to get your tickets for "Annie." The show, part of Broadway Series South, runs through Sunday with multiple showtimes at Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. Tickets start at $16. Go to www.broadwayseriessouth.com for details.[/NOWEB]