November 19, 2013 –
MAYETTA: There was a harvest moon outside and a harvest feast inside at the Bingo Hall last night on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Common Land. Several hundred members of the PBPN community came together to dine on traditional foods that were prepared by Goffy and sponsored through the Return to a Healthy Past program that is part of the Diabetes Prevention Program. The dinner was organized by Eddie Joe Mitchell and some staff from the Health Center and included meat entrees of turtle, raccoon, squirrel, bison and more. Individuals from the community also brought traditional dishes to share that included soups, stews, vegetable and salad entrees and a table full of desserts.
Below are some photos from last night’s feast:
A big harvest moon hung over the common land last night.
Goffy and her crew taking out the final dishes.
Entrees were identified in Potawatomi thanks to the Language Department.
Eddie Joe Mitchell gave opening remarks and a prayer before the food was served.
Diners smiling for the camera.
Eddie Joe stirring his pot of hominy soup with his grandson Andrew looking on.
Laura Thackery and Arlene Lingo checking out one of the tables of food.
People finally digging in to taste the traditional foods.
The Diabetes Prevention Program had an informational booth and K-State Extension who roasted chestnuts for appetizers and passed out literature as well.
Nathan Hale was selling t-shirts as a promotional for professional boxer Marcus Oliveira who lives on the PBPN Common Land and has an upcoming fight for the light heavyweight champion- ship on Dec. 14 in Germany. After this photograph was taken Oliveira made an appearance at the dinner.
Some of the Pahmahmies and Num Hale waiting for dinner to begin.