Seeking entrants for their Third Annual Native American Educational Weekend planned for September 19-20 in Union City, Tennessee, officials with Discovery Park of America have offered an open invitation for artisans and vendors with documented tribal affiliation to apply for complementary booth space — in order to display and sell handmade items.
Behind several financial gifts and support from partners, dancers, storytellers, artists and others who showcase Native American culture will receive compensation for their participation.
Applications for said artisans are located at discoveryparkofamerica.com/nativeamerican2025. Applicants may also contact Dawson Dale at ddale@discoveryparkofamerica.com for answers to questions or for more information.
Dawson noted that visitors that weekend, or other times, can take in Discovery Park’s Native American Gallery, which puts guests into an ancient past through European contact and up to today. There are numerous artifacts on display in the gallery, including more than 4,500 arrowheads and spear points mounted to the walls. Also included in the museum’s exhibit are painted vessels and works of art, a holographic presentation of legends, myths and storytelling, and an exploration of Tennessee tribes and the Trail of Tears — which weaves its way through south western Kentucky.
Furthermore, in a partnership with Al Santos and his wife, Nicole Pavatea-Santos, production of the drum and dance portions of the event will take place with one program planned for that Friday, and two planned for that Saturday. The duo are versatile artists who have performed with the American Indian Dance Theater and appeared in the Marvel/Disney series “Echo” and Apple Films’ “Fancy Dance.”
Santos, specifically, is the founder and lead singer of “Ottertrail,” a Native American Music Award and GRAMMY-nominated drum group.
Other performers and guests will be announced soon.
