Native American Ministries Sunday

Native American Awareness Sunday was observed on April 22, where Ken Ross provided several artifacts from his personal collection to share with the congregation. Ken also displayed many of the books and magazines that he has accumulated over time.

Ken has graciously provided close-up photos of the various items in his collectables so that website users could also appreciate the artistry of the Native Americans.

The following two vases were purchase in the 70's at a Pow-Wow in Hoffmans Grove in the Wayne area of New Jersey.

Below Ken and his wife Ellen display an hand-made comforter which he purchased from a Pow-Wow in Morris County, New Jersey in 2005. The comforter has a 2 foot by 3 foot matching pillow also handmade. (not shown)

The following beautiful woven scarf was purchased at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon at Wellsboro, Pennsylvania in the late 80's.

This photo shows two Indian Maids - one holding a raccoon and the other holding corn. The Totem Pole and Hatchet were from the Penobscot Reservation in Old Town, Maine, purchased in 1970. The Indian Head chief was purchased in a Bucksport, Maine shop; the hand carved milk stone Beaver was from a Mohawk gift shop in the Berkshires, Massachusetts, as was the small Indian Chief. These were purchased when Ken went with his sons on a church youth group trip in the late 70's.

This ceramic Totem Pole was purchased at a shop in Burlington, Pennsylvania in the late 80s.

This Indian Bust was purchased at a Pow-Wow in Mahwah in the late 70's. The Indians used to meet there for many centuries at the area where Route 17 and Route 202 cross. That's where the Old Ford Plant use to be and where Ken worked for 25 years. The name Mahwah came from the Indian word meaning "Meeting Place'.

In 1970, Ken took the family to a reservation in Old Town, Maine. At the reservation he met the young man who carved the War Club (above). It took 6 months to carve. One side (left) the club has an Indian head and the other side (right) has a snake winding around the club. The leather string with wooden bears teeth that hung from the end of the club has since been lost. Ken paid $25 for the club and in the late 80's, in Wayne, a man offered him $500. Ken refused to part with the club.

We would like to thank Ken for sharing his collection with us and in doing so, give us a better appreciation for the talents and artistry of the Native Americans.