Grand Village of the Natchez Indians will host two annual events this fall.

Our annual Student Days is Oct. 16 and 17, and our annual Mask Making Competition and exhibit begins Oct. 25. Both events are free and open to the public.

During Student Days, volunteers from all over the Miss-Lou will help take Grand Village of the Natchez Indians back to Colonial times when the French colonists were living among the Natchez. Student Days is from 8:30 a.m. to noon. We welcome all area students and teachers to come out and learn a little more from our volunteers.

Volunteers around the museum demonstrate many different aspects of Native American and Colonial life styles. We have flint knapping, pottery, storytelling, two Native American housing stations, basket weaving, Natural wildlife, toys, games, archery and, I do believe, we shall have some French representatives. The Natchez Shriners will also be on hand selling snacks.

Student Days promises to be two days filled with fun, and we hope you can come out and join us. If you are interested in Student Days, please reserve your spot by Oct. 12. You can reserve your place on the roster by calling the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians at 601-446-6502.

If you are interested in masks and mask making, you will definitely love our second event, the Miss-Lou Mask Making competition. Students of all ages and from any school can submit a mask for competition. Categories include man/spirit, North American animal and natural elements, including fire, water, earth and wind. Artists may make their masks from any materials.

Best use of natural materials also receives a prize. Artists may submit their masks anytime between Oct. 25 and Dec. 2. All masks submitted will be on display in the Grand Village auditorium until May 1.

Entries must include the student’s name clearly written on the back, along with their teacher’s name, school name and their grade level. For those who home school, we request the child’s name, grade level and contact information be placed on the back of their mask.

If you have any questions about either of the upcoming fall events at Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, please contact us at 601-446-6502. Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is located at 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd.

 

Becky Martin Anderson is a historian with the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.