Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Moore | Larry Kline, head singer, leads the Arrow Head Singers during the third annual Gourd...... read more read more
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CAMP NAVAJO TRAINING CENTER, Ariz. – Native Americans and Arizona Army National Guard members got a taste of traditional tribal life in a ceremonial Gourd Dance performed by dozens of Native American Indian dancers at the parade field here, June 23.
“It is a real joy to continue to host this amazing ceremony again this year,” said Lt. Col. Dale Oldham, garrison commander, here. “It has great significance to our nation and our community.”
The Gourd Dance is done to welcome home troops after war, said Master Sgt. Freddie Hatathlie, the non-commissioned officer in charge of engineering operations. Traditionally, this dance was for warriors and men only.
“We now allow women to participate because they are a part of the military,” said Hatathlie. “Any warrior coming home can participate.”
The Gourd Dance, which originates from the Plaines Indians, has been passed down from generation to generation, said Hatathlie. The dance is now open it to everyone.
“We want to share our traditions and cultures so more people understand us,” said Hatathlie.
Many of the dancers are veterans of the United States armed forces from Vietnam to the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Oldham. Native Americans have a long history of service to this country.
For example, Native Americans were significant to the victory in World War II, said Oldham, referring to the 400 famed Native American “Code Talkers” trained to use their native language to transmit messages the Japanese could not decipher.
This is the third annual Gourd Dance ceremony.
Since its beginning as an Army depot in 1942, Native Americans helped build, sustain and establish what today’s Camp Navajo is, said Oldham.
“Navajo and Hopi Indians built, worked and lived on this institution,” said Oldham.
On site was support from the Mobile Veterans Center, which serves the Navajo and Hopi Reservations in Northern Arizona. The mobile center attends community events in order to provide education and resources to all combat veterans, said Emmerie Sheppard, readjustment counseling technician, Mobile Vet Center.
“The vet center offers readjustment counseling to combat vets in a community based setting,” said Sheppard. “By being mobile and going to the veterans, we can provide cultural healing where they are located instead of them coming to a hospital setting.”
The five-hour event started at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies, prayers, dancing, a community lunch and then the dancing resumed. As many as 200 people attended the gathering.
“This event shows the increased interest in the Native American contribution,” said Oldham. “We are proud of this event and look forward to hosting it every year.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2012 18:20 |
| Story ID: | 91254 |
| Location: | CAMP NAVAJO, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 201 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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