Arkansas Indians

[littlefeatherspiri]

Hey guys hope all is well, been a while!  Guess you'll have to go to the link to check out the pictures.


http://www.todaysthv.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=21581

Native American Indian Heritage Month

Little Rock's racial and cultural diversity commission is celebrating Native American Indian heritage month this November. Wednesday, they honored the five tribes of Arkansas.

The Jeffrey Hawkins Building at downtown Little Rock was filled with the sounds of a native American song written to honor warriors in battle. The songs are performed by descendants of Native Americans of the Cherokee, Choctaw and Blackfoot tribes.

Anita Gangluff says, "So we share the regalia, share the dance, tell the stories."

Gangluff is a Native American storyteller who's passing down legends she was told as a girl. The dances too, go back hundreds of years.

The celebration is sponsored by Little Rock's Cultural Diversity Committee. Wednesday, they also included soldiers of the 39th Infantry Brigade.

Tom Reedy says, "Per capita, more Indians serve in the military than any other culture in the United States."

Reedy presented military leaders with an eagle staff. Though it won't be carried into battle, Reedy says it's a symbol of tradition and of support.

He says, "Our soldiers, whether they're European or Indian descent, they spent a lot of time in the field, and have a lot of hardships."

 Jennifer Woody, Reporter  
Created: 11/30/2005 3:19:31 PM
Updated: 11/30/2005 7:22:37 PM