A vibrant and culturally enriching performance by the Peshawbestown Dancers and Singers is set to take center stage on Thursday, February 8th, at RCAH Snyder Hall Theater (362 Bogue St). Doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the performance commencing at 7:00 pm. This special performance, titled “Stories and Reflections from Gichigami (the Big Water),” is a cultural presentation that shares Anishinaabeg relationships with food through song and dance.
“The essence of who we are and where we come from is deeply embedded in the food we consume. Our performance seeks to showcase the ancestral wisdom surrounding Indigenous foodways and how it serves as a source of strength for our community,” expressed Beedoskah Stonefish, a representative of the Peshawbestown Dancers and Singers.
The performance will be a celebration of Indigenous foodways, conveyed through Anishinaabe songs and dances that have been passed down through generations. A central theme of the presentation is the profound connection between food and medicine, emphasizing how it nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. The performers aim to convey the significance of food sourced from the land, serving as a powerful reminder of identity and heritage.
In addition to this engaging performance, the North American Indigenous Student Organization (NAISO) is hosting the 38th Annual Michigan State University Powwow of Love which will take place February 10, 2024, at IM East staring at 10:00am. The MSU Museum is featuring a multimedia installation reflecting Anishinaabeg relationships with food. It was created as a collaboration between a team of Anishinaabe women from several Indigenous communities, some of which are associated with MSU as faculty or students. The installation is part of the Food Fight! exhibition and is on view through June 29, 2024.
“These programs and exhibit are great opportunities for Michigan State University to establish new and growing existing relationships with our tribal communities throughout the state,” said Kevin Leonard, interim director of the MSU Native American Institute.
The Peshawbestown Dancers and Singers performance is made possible through the collaborative efforts of sponsors, including the Native American Institute, MSU Office of Admissions, American Indian and Indigenous Studies program, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.