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Millie Ketcheshawno, a Native American filmmaker who died last year, will be remembered during the 10th annual Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow and Indian Market to be held Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. 

Ketcheshawno, who participated in the Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island during the 1970s, worked with the National Park Service to create the “We Hold The Rock” exhibit and video that are shown each day at the park, said Craig Glassner, a park ranger with the Golden Gate National Recreation area on Alcatraz.  

The occupation by Indians of All Tribes, which began on Nov. 20, 1969, was the most significant event in Alcatraz’s history and was pivotal to the creation of self-determination, the policy that recognizes tribal autonomy and self-rule, said Glassner, who will present a letter of appreciation to Ketcheshawno’s family for her contribution to the exhibit. The occupation ended in 1971 when federal officials removed participants from the island, Glassner said. 

“I want to recognize Millie not just for the work she did historically for native peoples but for assisting us in making sure that the story would be told to us, our children and our children’s children,” Glassner said. 

The free event, sponsored by the city of Berkeley and the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee, celebrates native culture through food, dance, ceremony and art. It will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

A grand entry ceremony will introduce elders and dancers in traditional regalia. Native groups represented will include Seminole, Kiowa, Miwok, Lacota, Black Feet and Comanche, said Shar Suke, a Pow Wow coordinator and Oneida/Cherokee. She expects about 1,000 people to attend. 

“The grand entry will get the Pow Wow off to a good start,” she said, noting that people should pay attention to the Master of Ceremonies, who will announce when it is appropriate to take photographs. 

Dancers, drummers and singers from across the Bay Area will perform, as well as some from Arizona, Oklahoma and Maryland, Suke said.  

The original goal of the event was to educate the public about native issues and culture, Suke said. A table will display information about Native American issues, such as land disputes. Native Americans can also learn about health services that address diabetes risk, substance abuse and safe sex, she said. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Park is located between Center Street and Allston Way, and one block west of the Berkeley BART station. Parking is limited and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating. All drums are invited.