Mike Pace (Xinkwilënu) Goes to Germany

Michael Pace (Xinkwilënu), former assistant chief and part-time interpreter specialist for the Lenape Camp Trading Post at Conner Prairie Museum, was invited to go to Germany to take part in the Karl May Festival. His trip was funded by the organizers of the Karl May Festival in the German town of Radebeul. It was held on June 3rd and 4th.

The schedule for the event was for Mike to give presentations on Saturday at 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00, and on Sunday at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00. The official brochure read, “Songs and dances by Native Americans from the USA and Canada with Michael Pace (Delaware) and Wade Fernandez (Menominee). Moderation (translation of the stories into German) by Kerstin Groeper-Schmäling.”

In addition to the daytime presentations there was one on Saturday night, “9 o’clock – The night of the Indian myths and tales at the High Stone area with Michael Pace, Wade Fernandez and Red Feather Dance Company.”

It is amazing to think that just a little over twenty years ago it might not have been possible to attend such an event as that part of Germany was then East Germany.

Although it was extremely hot during the daytime schedules, Mike did a number of things during the event such as telling Lenape traditional stories and dance demonstrations. He also did the same things the following Tuesday at the Montessori Schule (School) in Niederseeon, Bavaria.

Mike was accompanied by his wife Ella on the trip. Jim Rementer also went along to take some photographs and to visit other places in Germany and Switzerland. We would like to thank our host Robert Goetzenberger and his family for his time and efforts to take us where we needed to be and hosting us.

One of the directors at the Festival said, “I was told that the Delawares were nice people, but after meeting and working with Mike Pace I would have to say they are VERY nice people.”

Please note: Mike Pace’s trip was funded by the organizers; Jim Rementer’s trip was self-funded as he went to do some research on his ancestry. No tribal funds were used for any part of the trip.

Mike Pace leads the Lenape Bean Dance.	Mike tells a Lenape story while Kerstin Groeper-Schmäling translates into German.