Gig’s father’s 350+ acre Indian Reservation, host of semi-annual Indian Arts Festivals, nominated “One of the Top 100 Events in North America”

Rankokus Indian Reservation

Gig’s father’s 350+ acre reservation was the location of the only Indian owned and operated Indian museum in New Jersey and host of a twice per year outdoor Indian Arts Festival. One in May during the Memorial Day weekend and one in October during the Columbus Day weekend. Each festival was attended by tens of thousands of people and were held over a 3 day period with 2 days open to the general public and one day dedicated to school children which were bused in from their schools. The Indian Arts Festival was nominated as one of the top 100 events in North America.

Please click here to view a promotional video clip or view above.

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14th Annual American Indian Arts Festival Poster, 1997

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June 12, 2007 Sign (4)

Entrance sign

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June 12, 2007 sign made possible by

Without Gig’s knowledge, Gig’s father had the sign manufacturer add the “Made Possible By: GIG SCHMIDT” plaque.

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June 12, 2007 Road

Main entrance road to reservation

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June 12, 2007 Office

Offices

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June 12, 2007 Museum

The only Indian owned and operated Indian museum in New Jersey

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June 12, 2007 Trailer

Mobile home

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June 12, 2007 Pavillion

Pavilion

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June 12, 2007 Buffalo single (1)

Buffalo exhibit

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June 12, 2007 Buffalo 2 shot facing camera

Buffalo exhibit

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June 12, 2007 Bird Sanctuary

Bird sanctuary

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June 12, 2007 Booths and Tables

Exhibitor booths and picnic tables

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June 12, 2007 Stables

Horse stables

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June 12, 2007 Wolf area

Wolf exhibit enclosure

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June 12, 2007 Bleachers Gifts and Snacks

Bleachers, gifts and food booths

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June 12, 2007 Pole grounds

Exhibition pole & partial grounds

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Copy of June 12, 2007 Booths

Exhibitor booths

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Copy of June 12, 20007 Demonstration area

Demonstrations area

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Copy of June 12, 2007 Mound

Mound/stage

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Copy of June 12, 2007 Grounds

Partial grounds

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June 12, 2007 Nature Trail

Nature trail

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Gig Schmidt at Rancocas Indian Arts Festival, May 17, 2003

American Indian Arts Festival, In 1998 the ABA nominated Gig’s Father’s Arts Festival a Top 100 Event in North America, New Jersey, May 17, 2003

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1980's Governor Tom Kean at Reservation

New Jersey Governor Tom Kean (R) centered, Gig is to the right of the Governor and Gig’s father is far right in traditional clothing, others pictured are probably members of Gig’s father’s council, at Gig’s father’s Reservation, New Jersey, 1983 or 1984

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Uncle Wendell Miller, Wayne Newton & dad, July 26, 1986

Gig’s “Uncle” Wendell Miller, Wayne Newton http://www.waynenewton.com/ and Gig’s father, New Jersey, July 26, 1986 (Photo will be displayed in Wayne Newton’s museum)

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Wayne Newton and Dad, NJ 1980's scanned coppy

Wayne Newton http://www.waynenewton.com/ and Gig’s father at the Reservation, New Jersey, July 26, 1986 (Photo will be displayed in Wayne Newton’s museum)

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Wayne Newton and mom at reservation

Wayne Newton http://www.waynenewton.com/ and Gig’s mother at Gig’s father’s Reservation, New Jersey, Saturday July 26, 1986

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Not pictured. Golf cart dubbed the Chief Mobile akin to the Pope Mobile.
Golf cart was used by Gig’s father and the Reservation staff to get around on the property grounds.

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Click here to view a video clip made by a visitor to a festival or view above.

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