Wisps of smoke curl skyward from flickering flames below cooking pots on the east bank of the Wabash River where a band of Wea Indians make their home in the dense woodland. Game is plentiful, and fertile land supports their crops of corn, beans, squash, sweet potatoes and gourds.

The French from Canada and other Europeans, including explorers and settlers from near and far, travel the Wabash River, the only cross-country commerce route in the 1700s, to this woodland Native American community to barter and trade with the friendly copper-skinned people.

The Weas, a branch of the Miami, shared their knowledge of agriculture, seeds and food with all who came to their home, often referred to as a trading post and located about a half mile south of what is now the town of Montezuma.

This is a typical depiction of what woodsmen and hunters might have seen had they traveled near the village in the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s.

This year, for the first time since 1846 when the U.S. government forcibly removed the Weas and other Native Americans from this territory, the Native Americans are returning to Montezuma to celebrate their heritage and share their colorful legacy with Parke County Covered Bridge Festival visitors.

Today, the encampment is readily accessible to everyone because it is located on U.S. 36 and bordered by Montezuma's main street.

Brenda Maconaquah Lindley, the "Little Bear Woman," is among many honored guests at this gathering. She is a Wea whose heritage is tied to the Wabash Valley.

"My father gave me this name when I was about 15 years old," she said referring to Little Bear Woman. "He named me after the Great White Rose of the Miami, Francis Slocum. He did so because he said I reminded him of how she was always a tomboy. I am very proud to carry her name as my own."

The people of Montezuma and the Native American Foundation of Western Indiana, a not-for-profit organization, are jointly sponsoring "A Gathering of the People." Drums that signal a prayer to the Creator with each beat call Native Americans representing seven tribes to the sacred circle where long Elk skin fringe sways, bells jingle and bright colored feathers twirl as feet pound the earth in thanksgiving.

The Native Americans believe Montezuma is the perfect place to bridge culture gaps among all people while demonstrating ancient crafts handed down from one generation to the next, said Vicki Rainbolt, foundation spokesperson.

Rainbolt wears her deerskin dress proudly. With her head tilted upward and her arms spread and stretched toward the sky, she thanks, Grandfather, her Creator, for sending the animals to her husband, Norman Rainbolt, who killed them for food and then made their tanned hides a gift to her. She admits her hands grew weary while she worked many hours shaping and then sewing the garment much the way her Cherokee ancestors did long before sewing machines were invented.

"Dresses and shirts take at least 40 to 60 hours to fashion from the skins," she said. "We often spend twice as many hours or more decorating the regalia with beads, quills, bones, feathers and other items meaningful to its owner."

While spreading white sage and tobacco on the ground as an offering, she raised her head toward the azure sky again and thanked the deer for giving its life to nourish her body and clothe it.

The soft and haunting melody from an Indiana? love flute fills the air. Flute maker Ron Sapp tests the newest instrument he made from red cedar. His wife, Brenda Sapp, sits nearby molding pieces of sliver and turquoise into earrings.

Sapp performs on a variety of native American style flutes that he hand crafts from various exotic woods. His flutes possess a mystical sound that transports people of all ages to a time rich in Native American culture.

Brenda Sapp, offers traditional jewelry she creates from time-tested methods handed down from one generation to the next. She says her husband's music ignites the creative fire from deep within her soul.

Next to the Sapps, respected Blackfoot Elder Carl Freiman dawns regalia in preparation for his grand entry into the sacred circle.

Freiman, the head veteran dancer, was selected for this honor because he is a U.S. Army Veteran and also provided more than 30 years of continuous service to his people. He is known as an Indian giver. If he hears another is in need, he takes action without asking questions or expecting repayment.

"Once he paid to have his car repaired and then he learned of a couple whose vehicle broke down after they arrived at a pow-wow," his wife, Marilyn, said. "Carl gave them the keys and the title so they could go on their way to the next gathering."

The Freimans, the Sapps, Rainbolt, Lindley and more than one dozen other crafters are all waiting to share their knowledge and experiences with Parke County Covered Bridge Festival visitors.

"Dancing begins at noon on both Saturdays and Sundays, and we offer continuous demonstrations on both weekends of the festival," Rainbolt said. "We'll be beading, making and playing flutes along with other Indian crafts. Bring a lawn chair and come visit with us.

"In the 1990 census, 14,000 Indiana citizens identified themselves as Native American. I know there are many more of Indian descent. You might even discover a long-lost relative."

Montezuma, on U.S. 36 seven miles west of Rockville, hosts the Native American Gathering of the People, where Indians from seven nations gather to celebrate this town's rich heritage in conjunction with the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival.

This even is scheduled on both weekends -- Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 15-17. The host drum is TIYOSPAYE. Chuck Bash is the keeper of the drum and Cody Bash is the head singer. The master of ceremonies is Chico Dulak, a Lakota from South Dakota. Honored Dancers include: Head Veteran Carl Freiman, a Blackfoot; Head Man Dancer Fred War Bonnett, Teton Lakota and Head Lady Dancer Marquita Young, an Osage.

Demonstrations and craft booths open at 10 a.m. Dancing begins at noon on both Saturdays and Sundays.