Grand Portage Rendezvous Days Pow-Wow
& Heritage Center

The Traditional Grand Portage Pow-Wow

Two young maidens on their way to the Pow-Wow Arena. I'll bet they were entries in the Junior Princess contest held later in the afternoon.

One of many couples participating in the "All Nations" drum-dance.

A group from one Chippewa Band assembles for ceremony prior to the start of another drum-singing-dance performance. Some drum dances were for and performed by members of certain bands while others were "All Nations." Watching the performances reminded me somewhat of being at a Barn Dance where the caller would call out the dance and who would be dancing.

The Indian Taco stand was quite popular. Always a line every time we walked by.

Event Schedule for the Rendezvous & Pow-Wow

The Grand Portage Heritage Center

The welcome desk in the lobby of the new Heritage Center offers brochures, maps, guides and helpful service by the National Park Service staff. The multi-media theater offers a worthwhile 20 minute movie on the voyageur era and objibwe history throughout the day.

< < < The museum exhibits has a number of interactive displays. The mannequin shown here is one of the "pork eaters" who lugged 90 lb packs over the 8 1/2 mile portage.

< < < A replica of the birch bark transport canoes used by the Northmen. In the warehouse and stockade grounds are several more genuine birch bark canoes.

The Heritage Center also houses a classroom with video presentations running on a posted schedule, an archives room, a bookstore-gift shop, and park offices.

This map shows the paddle and portage trading routes followed by North Men and the Montreal Men. > > >

More info on the Grand Portage National Park

Scenes from the Grand Portage Rendezvous