FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Thursday, June 2, 2023
Event celebrates rich culture of West Michigan tribes
GRAND RAPIDS – The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians are hosting the 41st annual Homecoming of the Three Fires gathering June 10-11.
The Homecoming of the Three Fires is an annual celebration held at Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NE in Grand Rapids, which features two days of traditional Native American music, dancing, art and food.
The Homecoming event has been suspended for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Grand River Bands are excited to return.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which runs from 1 p.m. until dusk on Saturday, June 10, and noon through late afternoon on Sunday, June 11. Admission is free. Event sessions begin with Grand Entries at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, and at noon on Sunday.
“We always look forward to this annual event where our tribes can gather and celebrate our traditions together,” said Ron Yob, Chairman of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians. “The Homecoming also offers the community a chance to learn about our traditions and culture through dancing, music and Native American food and art vendors.”
The event is co-sponsored by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of the Pottawatomi Indians/Gun Lake Tribe and the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events and Office of Equity and Engagement. The event serves as a gathering in which the tribes will sing, dance and celebrate their culture.
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The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians is a native sovereign nation with agreements with the federal government dating back to 1795. The Grand River Bands originally included 19 bands of Ottawa people who lived along the Grand River and other waterways in southwest Michigan. Most of the Grand River Bands’ current membership resides in Kent, Muskegon and Oceana counties.