Post by blackcrowheart on Nov 16, 2005 18:13:11 GMT -5
Thousands convene at Elders’ Dinner to honor heritage
James Faulk
Eureka Times Standard
EUREKA -- Elders were honored as treasure troves of heritage and culture
at the 24th Annual Northwest Intertribal Gathering and Elders’ Dinner
Saturday at Redwood Acres.
The event is held in coordination with American Indian Heritage Month
and allows a chance for people of all tribes and backgrounds to pay
respects to their elders.
It started Saturday morning and went on until late in the evening.
Events included local brush dancers, as well as Pomo and Aztec dancers.
Andre Cramblit, operations director for the Northern California Indian
Development Council, said the dinner originally started as the tradition
of a small group of people where they served meals to elders to honor
their importance.
”It just grew from there,” he said. “Now we encompass the entire
community, not just the Native America community. It shows respect for
all of our elders because they’re the treasure chests of our history,
language, culture and our family traditions.”
Vendors sold wares throughout the large Redwood Acres hall Saturday, and
fry bread cooks worked their hands in the dough in the event’s kitchen.
The actual took place between noon and 4 p.m., serving salmon and
turkey. Hundreds of elders were honored at the event.
They serve as a bridge between the past and the present, Cramblit said.
”Our elders are connected to our ancestors,” he said.
James Faulk
Eureka Times Standard
EUREKA -- Elders were honored as treasure troves of heritage and culture
at the 24th Annual Northwest Intertribal Gathering and Elders’ Dinner
Saturday at Redwood Acres.
The event is held in coordination with American Indian Heritage Month
and allows a chance for people of all tribes and backgrounds to pay
respects to their elders.
It started Saturday morning and went on until late in the evening.
Events included local brush dancers, as well as Pomo and Aztec dancers.
Andre Cramblit, operations director for the Northern California Indian
Development Council, said the dinner originally started as the tradition
of a small group of people where they served meals to elders to honor
their importance.
”It just grew from there,” he said. “Now we encompass the entire
community, not just the Native America community. It shows respect for
all of our elders because they’re the treasure chests of our history,
language, culture and our family traditions.”
Vendors sold wares throughout the large Redwood Acres hall Saturday, and
fry bread cooks worked their hands in the dough in the event’s kitchen.
The actual took place between noon and 4 p.m., serving salmon and
turkey. Hundreds of elders were honored at the event.
They serve as a bridge between the past and the present, Cramblit said.
”Our elders are connected to our ancestors,” he said.