The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, announced today a new edition of a new addition of its popular, “American Indian Calendar" is available for purchase from the Superintendent of Documents in Washington, D.C.
The calendar lists important Indian events primarily in the 25 states where there are Indians having a service relationship with the Federal Government. The booklet has information on pow-wows, rodeos, dances, religious observances, and arts and crafts exhibitions.
Typical entries include Alaskan native dances at Shakes Island, Wrangell, Alaska, May throughout the summer; Ute Mountain Bear Dance and all Indian pow-wow at Towaoc, Colo., in June; All-Choctaw Indian Fair at Philadelphia, Miss., July 22-25; the Custer Battle Reenactment at Crow Agency, Mont., July 10-12; the great Navajo Fair at Shiprock, N.M., in late September and early October; and the White Mountain Apache Tribal Fair and Rodeo, including the famous Crown Dances, the weekend before Labor Day at Whiteriver, Ariz.
In announcing the booklet, the Bureau noted that many Indian observances depend upon seasonal activities and cannot be pinned down in advance to exact days. Tribal medicine men choose the day when portents seem best to them. It is suggested that tourists cheek in advance with tribes, local Bureau offices and chambers of commerce for specific dates.
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Louis R. Bruce pointed out that many Indian reservations have excellent fishing, hunting, hiking and sightseeing areas.
"Indian country is often less crowded than national park and similar facilities,” he said, at the time cautioning that Indian lands sometimes don’t have modern facilities and vacationers who don’t have full camping equipment should plan to stay in towns outside the reservations unless they arrange ahead for accommodations.
“Visitors are welcomed by most Indian people,” he said. “Each reservation has its own rules and they should be observed. The use of liquor is forbidden on many reservations, and the taking of pictures should be checked with local authorities.”
Pictures may not be taken of certain religious ceremonies, and it is advisable to ask permission before taking pictures of individuals.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs “American Indian Calendar” is priced at 25 cents and may be obtained by writing for Number I20.2:C12/2/1970, the superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
