American-Indian holiday fest coming to Monroe

The public is invited to celebrate the holidays with Intertribal American Indians of New Jersey at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Thompson Park, Monroe.

Monica Paul, a Mohawk elder and native speaker, will share her memories of how the holidays are celebrated on her reservation in Canada. Youngsters will have the opportuniy to create a tiny stone figure "inukshuk" ("likeness of a person" in the Inuit language). The landscape of the Canadian Artic is barren, so the Inuit built inukshuks to serve as markers to guide travelers and hunters. The rock figures would often be 7- to 12-feet high. Cultures around the world created stone cairns, another term used for stone directional markers, which also have come to be known as symbols of friendship, safety and hope because they often point the way home.

Intertribal American Indians of New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides social activities and support to American Indians living in New Jersey. Members come from tribes throughout the country. The group is dedicated to educating the public about American-Indian culture and history. Members facilitate programs for schools, corporations, universities and healthcare organizations.

Meetings are held once a month in the log cabin located beside the lake and opposite the animal enclosure in Thompson Park. A discussion titled "Winter Games" is set for the group's Jan. 19 meeting. Participants will learn about the "snow snake" and how and why snow shoes were made.

For more information about meetings or to arrange for a speaker, call Mary Anne Ross at (732) 238-3792 or e-mail maryanneross123@ yahoo.com.