Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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The Annual Northwest Inter-Tribal Gathering & Elders Dinner is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 22 - 23, 2001.

The Northern California Indian Development Council, Inc. (NCIDC) is pleased to announce The 20th annual Elders Dinner and Inter-Tribal Gathering. It is a two-day event on Saturday September 22 and Sunday the 23rd of this year at Redwood Acres in Eureka. Over 3000 people annually enjoy the gathering and elders dinner. The dinner feast includes salmon roasted traditionally on and alder wood fire, deer and/or elk when available, barbecued steaks, full turkey dinner and desert. On Saturday event gates open at 10: am with the meal being served from 12-5 PM. A special give away celebration for all elders will be held around 3 PM. On Sunday the Inter-Tribal Gathering continues from noon until dusk.

The gathering honors all elders regardless of ethnic background. It is an opportunity to pay our respects to our elders, who are our link to the past and a bridge to our future. The celebration included Brush Dance Exhibition, children and teen dance contest and Indian card games.

The gathering is successful due to the generosity of the many businesses, individuals, tribes and agencies who donate many hours and resources to the gathering. NCIDC would like to thank everybody who volunteers, donates, dances, and participates to make this a highly successful event.

The 20th Anniversary gathering is being held in memory of the Late Frank Gist Sr. This Traditional Dance Leader and Yurok Tribal member has been a strong supporter of the Dinner and Gathering, helping to show our guest the dances of the Yurok people by presenting demonstrations of the Brush Dance. Franks energy, wisdom and guidance have been shared with many people throughout California.

The Northern California Indian Development Council, Inc. (NCIDC) is a private nonprofit corporation that annually provides services to 14,000 to 15,000 clients statewide and maintains our main administrative office in Eureka, California. NCIDC was established in 1976 to research, develop and administer social and economic development programs designed to meet the needs of Indian and Native American Communities; to provide support and technical assistance for the development of such programs, and the conservation and preservation of historic and archeological sites and resources. Active concerns and efforts span a great number of areas from environmental preservation and restoration, to economic and cultural development. Through the efforts of tribal governments and organizations such as NCIDC, Indian people will continue to play an increasingly important and central role in the ongoing development of our local communities and the State of California for future generations.

To volunteer please contact Keith Taylor, by phone: 707-445-8451, or email: ktaylor@ncidc.org and visit the NCIDC web site for more information on the gathering.