TNAHC hosts 5th Annual Veterans Pow-Wow

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Approximately 5,000 Travis people attended the fifth annual Veterans Pow-Wow Nov. 4 and 5.

The two-day event, which was sponsored by the Native American Heritage Council, had representatives from about 30 different Native American nations.

"We had people from all over including Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Arizona," said Master Sgt. Edwin Allert, Travis Native American Heritage Council chairman.

According to Sergeant Allert, the Pow-Wow is a gathering where people can make new friends and celebrate their creator and their existence.

"We gather together to honor our ancestors, all veterans and to come together to pray and to heal," he said. "It is also a chance to pass on some of our heritage and culture to those who do not know about it."

The arena, which was the circular area for dancing and the ceremony, was surrounded by booths where vendors sold drums, music, beads, regalia [dancer's clothing] items, dance sticks, jewelry and dream catchers.

Tribal and intertribal dancing was one of the highlights of the event. In addition, Hawaiian dancers, who are also considered to be Native Americans, performed various native dances.

Some other features of the Pow-Wow included the Gourd Dancing, Grand Entry and Veterans' Roll Call.

During the Veterans Roll Call, all veterans, native and non-native, were invited to enter the arena and share about their experience in the service.

Also, for the first time, the Grand Entry was lead by a Golden Eagle.

"[The Golden Eagle] is a very powerful symbol," Sergeant Allert said. "The eagle, both Bald and Golden, are very powerful animals in the Native Heritage."

According to Sergeant Allert, the event was very successful due to the large number of people attending the event.

"It was our largest gathering to date. We were very glad we could share and teach Team Travis what it means to us to carry on our heritage and culture," he said.

The Native American Heritage Council plans to continue the celebration next year.

The sixth annual Pow-Wow is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 3 and 4, 2007.