Metaksonekiyak Community Days

Metaksonekiyak Community Days is a two-day celebration of culture, heritage, and community hosted by the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians at 88 Bell Road in Littleton, Maine.

Now in its 45th year, the event honors the Houlton Band of Maliseet —part of the Wabanaki —through powerful traditions of drumming, dancing, and ceremony. Each year, co-hosting drums such as Turning Eagle and Four Winds join guest drum groups including Huntley Brook, Mawitane'lepiiig, Muskrat Singers, and Wolosahhtyek, creating a vibrant soundscape that guides the grand entry and energizes the arena. Emcees Mike Solomon and Elissa Sabattis lead the program, alongside Field Director Roger Flewelling, while head dancers represent every generation, from adults to youth. The weekend brings together tribal members, neighbors, and visitors to share in the rhythms, colors, and resilience of Wabanaki culture.

Beyond the powwow circle, Metaksonekiyak Community Days offers something for everyone: traditional dancing and drumming, more than 30 vendors, and family-friendly activities such as a bounce house, youth games, horseshoe, and cornhole tournaments. Saturday features a community supper, while Sunday begins with a community breakfast, nourishing both body and spirit before another day of celebration. Youth dancers bring contagious energy, and fireworks close the festivities with a brilliant finale. Open to the general public, Metaksonekiyak Community Days stands as a welcoming gathering where traditions are honored, connections are strengthened, and Wabanaki culture continues to thrive.

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