The first ever Return to Gnadenhütten Intertribal Native American Festival and Pow Wow was held this past weekend at the historic Hofford Mill in Weissport.

The Wyoming County Trail Council organized the event.

Tribe members and those interested in Native American culture patronized the event, with some attendees deciding to make a weekend out of it and bringing their camping gear.

The Gnadenhütten massacre was an attack during the French and Indian War in which Native allies of the French killed 11 Moravian missionaries at Gnadenhütten on Nov. 24, 1755.

They destroyed the mission village and took one woman prisoner. Only four of the 16 escaped. The massacre took place in what is now modern-day Lehighton.

The festival and pow wow featured many Native-inspired activities, including traditional drumming, dancing, singing and tomahawk throwing.

Over a dozen vendors were on-site, including traders and craftspeople, as well as those selling jewelry, art, knives, furs and blankets.

The master of ceremonies was Barry Lee of Phoenixville. The head dancers were Sue “Mountain Dove” and Mike “Seeker” Masler. On the lead drum was Medicine Horse.

Guitarist Barry “Munsee” Lee and his wife, flute player Barbara “Seneca” Andrews-Christy, form the band Spirit Wing. Together, they are a six-time Native American Music Award nominee. They are from the Lenepe Tribe, also known as the Delaware Nation.

Andrews-Christy and her Lee were pleased with attendance at the festival and pow wow.

“The turnout and the people here were all great,” Andrews-Christy aid. “We would love to see this festival and pow wow become an annual thing.

“We hope to see everyone again next year.”

Andrews-Christy added that she and the rest of the Wyoming Trail Council are looking forward to this November, which is Indigenous Peoples Month.

For more information on the organization or about upcoming events, visit the Wyoming Trail Council of Pennsylvania’s Native Americans’ Facebook page.