Lawilowan American Indian Festival Inc.
Lawilowan American Indian Festival, Inc. was formed in 2007, by Noni Many Hawks Nickerson and Arvil Meisenhelter. When Don Hockenberry retired from organizing the Red Creek Mid-Winter Festival, he graciously allowed us to continue the long running event that he hand organized and produced for 16 years. The festival had started in a church hall, outgrown that and moved to Gettysburg College, and eventually moved to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA to fill the Kline Athletic Center. Under a new name, the first Lawilowan American Indian Festival was held in March 2007 at the Carlisle Expo Center, and started out small. People liked the venue, and the spirit of the event, and when they returned in March of 2009, the dance arbor was filled during Grand Entry with over 300 dancers, the circles deep. Don had always put on the Red Creek festival as a gift to the Indian people, a time to shake off the cold and inactivity of winter, get your regalia on, and move to the beat of the drum, the heartbeat of the Earth Mother. It was also a great way for drums to get air time before the main pow-wow season began. We promised to continue this event in the same spirit and love for the People that Don has always brought to the dance. And hopefully we have succeeded in doing just that. We have been honored to host them! and we hope the Lawilowan”family” continues to grow!