Return to NIEHS
Increase text size Decrease text size

Diversity Council Hosts Native American Heritage Concert

By Eddy Ball
January 2008

As staff cleaned the cafeteria’s serving area in the background, Beamer accompanied his soulful Hawaiian chanting with the mellow sounds of the slack key guitar, an instrument introduced to the islands by the Spanish.
As staff cleaned the cafeteria’s serving area in the background, Beamer accompanied his soulful Hawaiian chanting with the mellow sounds of the slack key guitar, an instrument introduced to the islands by the Spanish. (Photo by Eddy Ball)
Nakai, a Navajo-Ute, took a break from his cedar wood flute to treat the audience to a traditional chant with percussion accompaniment.
Nakai, a Navajo-Ute, took a break from his cedar wood flute to treat the audience to a traditional chant with percussion accompaniment. (Photo by Eddy Ball)

True to tradition, the NIEHS Diversity Council gave NIEHS employees and contractors something a little different when it presented a concert in the NIEHS cafeteria by R. Carlos Nakai and Keola Beamer in celebration of Native American Heritage Month November 30.

Hosted by EEO Specialist Gerard Roman and attended by nearly 50 people, the performance featured music on the slack key guitar, Native American cedar wood flute and the Hawaiian nose flute, which didn’t turn out to be nearly as ridiculous as the term might suggest.


"Diversity Council..." - previous story Previous story     Next story next story - "Institute Celebrates..."
January 2008 Cover Page

Back to top Back to top