The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University is seeking nominations from the public for the 2022 Upper Peninsula Folklife Awards. The deadline is Oct. 16.
The Beaumier Center created the awards program in 2009 to honor individuals and organizations that have made a difference in preserving and promoting the folk culture of the region. Since that inaugural year, 18 individuals and three organizations have received the award.
Each year, the center requests nominations from the general public. The nominee(s) should be a person(s) or organization that has made a difference in the creation and/or preservation of the folklife of the U.P., including music, dance, storytelling, crafts, food, etc. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines folklife as the traditions, activities, skills, and products (such as handicrafts) of a particular people or group.
After the nomination period has ended, a committee will make the final selections. To find information on how to nominate someone or an organization, visit www.nmu.edu/beaumier and click on the “Events” tab. Or follow this link to the online nomination form: https://nmu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agTbaCaCAx4iAS2.
Last year's recipients were traditional wood carver Russell Dees of Marquette and NMU's Native American Student Association. The Beaumier Center will be present the 2022 awards at the Sonderegger Symposium on Friday, Nov. 4.