Fort Riley celebrates Native Americans at observance
A member of the Prairie Band Potowatomi Nation performs a traditional social dance during the Native American Heritage Month Observance Nov. 27 at Riley’s Conference Center. Photo by: Sgt. Michael Leverton, 1ST INF. DIV.
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Story by: Sgt. Michael Leverton, 1ST INF. DIV. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Fort Riley and the 1st Infantry Division celebrated a day of observance in honor of Native American Heritage Month Nov. 27 at Riley's Conference Center.
Guest speaker Steve Ortiz, Tribal Chairman of the Prairie Band Potowatomi Nation and Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, shared the heritage of Native Americans serving in the military.
"Some of the Native Americans who served proudly to defend this country were the Navajo code talkers, the Oklahoma code talkers and Ira Hays raising the American Flag on Iwo Jima," Ortiz said.
Ortiz spoke of the rich heritage of Native American in America's armed forces from the Spanish-American war to the current war in Afghanistan.
"The military service of Native Americans shows our commitment to freedom, democracy and protecting our nation," Ortiz said.
Ortiz then handed the podium over to Garrett Rodewald, a representative of the youth of the Prairie Band Potowatomi Nation, who read from a tribal resolution honoring the 1st Inf. Div.'s celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
"It is important and appropriate to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of Native Americans throughout history," Rodewald said.
Rodewald thanked the division and the 1st Inf. Div. Equal Opportunity Office for their assistance in making the event possible.
Brig. Gen. Donald M. MacWillie, senior commander, Fort Riley, presented a certificate of appreciation to Ortiz on behalf of the 1st Inf. Div. for the Potowatomi Nation's participation in the Native American Heritage recognition celebration.
MacWillie also presented a 1st Inf. Div. coin to Rodewald for his deliverance of the tribal resolution and a job "well done," MacWillie said.
The event was highlighted by the performances of the 1st Inf. Div. Jazz Band and the Prairie Band Potowatomi Nation dancers.
The Potowatomi Nation dancers performed traditional social dances that have been passed down from generation to generation.