The month of November is Native American Heritage month, and there are several Northwest Florida museums and events that celebrate this important part of American history.

Local Native American tribes are an integral part of the history of this area of Northwest Florida. The names of towns, rivers and other landmarks bear the influence of the many tribes that inhabited this region of the state.

Before we explore the November events celebrating Native American Heritage, let’s take a quick look at two of the most well-known tribes that called this area home.

 Apalachicola: The Apalachicola Indians lived south of the present Florida border with Alabama and Georgia. They gave their name to the great river which runs through the Florida Panhandle.

 Pensacola: Meaning "hair people," probably from their own tongue, which in that case was very close to Choctaw. The Pensacola tribe seems to be mentioned first by name in Spanish letters dated 1677.

DeMaria performs “"Siyotanka: The Legend of the Flute." His music won a Native American Music award, and is now in contention to qualify for a Grammy nomination. Special Events

 Thunderbird Intertribal Pow Wow: The Thunderbird Intertribal Council in Niceville will host its annual intertribal pow wow from Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Niceville Mullet Festival Grounds. The weekend schedule is as follows:

Friday is Children’s Day from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Powwow at 7 p.m. Grand Entry; Intertribal Dancing into the night.

Saturday begins with a Craft Competition from 10 – 11 a.m.; followed by Special Performances from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Grand Entry and Opening Ceremonies begin at 1 p.m., followed by Intertribal, Exhibition, and Competition Dancing until 5 p.m.

The Night Grand Entry starts at 7 p.m., followed by Intertribal Dancing, Dance Exhibitions and Competitions into the night.

The Sunday fun begins with a Church Service from 10-11 a.m. in the Arena.

Intertribal Dancing, Dance Exhibitions and the announcing of Competitions Winners conclude from noon to 4 p.m.

The Niceville Mullet Festival Grounds are located at the corner of Fla. Highway 85N and College Boulevard. For directions or more information, call Kirby Locklear at 850-863-5311 or Glenn Farmer at 850- 678-7714.

 Creek Indian Tribe Indian Day Celebration: On Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, the annual twoday event of intertribal dancing, displays and teaching of heritage and customs, great foods and large groups of Native American vendors with authentic crafts invites you to join the celebration. Don’t miss this annual Pow W o w , which takes place at the Floridatown Park. It lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Directions: From Highway 90 in Pace, turn south at Walgreens and follow Floridatown Road approximately 1-1/2 miles to the banks of Pensacola Bay; Floridatown Park is on the left.

For more information, call 850- 944-4882.

Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton

The Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton celebrates Native American Heritage year-round. It will be leading some hands-on educational programs at the Intertribal

Pow Wow in Niceville.

The Indian Temple Mound Museum is an educational and cultural institution of long standing traditions. It’s mission is to preserve, interpret and present the prehistory and history of the Fort Walton Beach community and Northwest Florida from 12,000 B.C. through the 1950's to students, citizens and visitors through exhibits, educational programs, publications and special events.

In 1962 the Indian Temple Mound Museum opened as the first municipally owned and operated museum in the State of Florida. The current museum building opened to the public in 1972 and is located on Highway 98 in the heart of historic downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

The museum houses interpretative exhibits depicting 12,000 years of Native American occupation. Over 6,000 artifacts of stone, bone, clay and shell are here, as well as the finest collection of Fort Walton Period ceramics in the Southeastern United States. Exhibits also include artifacts from the European Explorers, local pirates, Civil War soldiers and early settlers.

Exhibits depict the four prehistoric cultural time periods whose artifacts have been recovered in the Northwest Florida region. The Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian exhibits tell the story of these people and their life ways.

The prehistoric temple mound, located on the museum grounds, represents one of the most outstanding artifacts left by the early inhabitants of this community. Built as a ceremonial and political center by the Mound Builder Culture between 800- 1400AD, this mound is the largest on salt water and possibly the largest prehistoric earthwork on the Gulf Coast. The Fort Walton Temple Mound stands 17 feet tall and measures 223 feet across its base. An estimated 500,000 basket loads of earth were used to create this earthen structure. In 1964 the Temple Mound was designated a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Historic Register.

The temple, on top of the mound, was used as the residence of the leader, a temple for religious ceremonies, and a place to direct the activities of the village. It was and still is a sacred burial ground.

The museum is located at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 850- 833-9595.

Pensacola musician wins Native American Music Award in Oct.

Pensacola musician Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria is the winner of a Native American Music Award (NAMMY). He won in the Native Heart category for his soundtrack "Siyotanka: The Legend of the Flute."

DeMaria composed and performed the music for Pensacola Little Theatre's 2008 production of the same name. The play, co-written by Dr. Stephen C. Lott, was inspired by a traditional Lakota legend about the creation of the wooden flute. The play won seven of PLT's Crystal Awards including best original score and performance by DeMaria.

"It was a dream come true to be at a Native American Music Awards ceremony as a NAMMY nominee." DeMaria said, "To actually win the NAMMY for Native Heart was a true joy."

On the soundtrack, DeMaria plays a wide variety of Native American flutes, drums, keyboards and many other instruments. Both the play and the music were inspired by the Lakota legend about the discovery of the Native American wooden flute, called Siyotanka.

The Native American Music Awards were presented on Saturday, October 3, during a ceremony in Niagara Falls, New York. The awards recognize and promote music and artists embodying Native American ideals and instruments.

In other good news for DeMaria, the Siyotanka album is also on the short list of releases that qualify for a Grammy nomination.