Post by Okwes on Dec 2, 2006 10:49:59 GMT -5
Native American Dancers Treat Soldiers to Show
(Aviations Brigade Public Affairs) :: Members of the Native Star Dance
Team of New Mexico perform together at COB Spiecher. The event was in
celebration of Native American Heritage month for Soldiers serving their
country in Iraq. Native American Dancers Treat Soldiers to Show
www.happynews.com/news/1192006/native-american-dancers-treat-sold\
iers-show.htm
<http://www.happynews.com/news/1192006/native-american-dancers-treat-sol\
diers-show.htm> In celebration of Native American Heritage month
Soldiers attended a performance by the Native Star Dance Team of New
Mexico who put on a show filled with entrancing dances and colorful
fashion at Contingency Operating Base Spiecher. The show was organized
with the assistance of Army Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and Nick
Brokeshoulder; a retired Army Sgt. 1st Class. "We wanted to support
the troops and provide a morale support tour to celebrate Native
American Heritage month in the military," said BrokeShoulder. "The
Soldiers have been very receptive and we have been humbled by the
positive comments that they've made." Dancers took the stage wearing
assorted outfits constructed from colorful materials covered with
tassels and other gems. The clothing is characteristic of their rich
history as well as new and passed down traditions. Brokeshoulder was
accompanied by six dancers one of whom was his wife Sharon. "Sharon is
wearing a Women's Southern Cloth, an Oklahoma style wing dress. The
unique thing is Soldiers have given her combat patches. She is going to
sew every single patch to that dress. The patches will never be taken
off and the dress will never be sold it will be kept forever."
Brokeshoulder continued, "The reason she is doing this is because when
she goes to future Pow Wows other Indians will see her dance and ask
about those patches. She will tell them that Combat Soldiers, the modern
day warriors, gave them to her. She is so honored to wear the dress and
throughout time the Indian warrior society has evolved through the
military starting from World War I and now into Iraqi Freedom." As the
audience watched enchanting acts of dance, each individual carried out
their own performance. All the acts performed were a type of Plains
Indian Dance routinely shown throughout North America. According to
Brokeshoulder Native American Soldiers enjoyed the event because it
brought them a little taste of home. "This is a great opportunity.
This is the first time I can recollect where a full fledge dance team
has performed in any atmosphere such as this. Many Native American
Soldiers have come up to us and said we have brought memories from home
to them. I often hear Soldiers say they miss what they left behind. One
young lady told my wife this show touched her so much she got emotional.
She said it was the most beautiful thing we could have done for her
because she misses home," said Brokeshoulder. At the close of the
event the dancers signed autographs, took photos and interacted with
Soldiers. Not only did Soldiers congratulate the performers for their
work, but Brokeshoulder also acknowledged Native American Soldiers as
well. "I have personally been taking photographs of Native American
Soldiers and I plan to send them back to their tribal leaders. In Indian
country veterans are recognized often at many of their gatherings. We
really just want to thank all the Soldiers. They have taken very good
care of us while we have been here and have been treated well beyond our
expectations. This is our 8th performance and we have had one of the
greatest responses at COB Spiecher. We have several shows left but we
really want to thank MWR for all their help and especially our Soldiers
for their support. This is for them," said Brokeshoulder.
(Aviations Brigade Public Affairs) :: Members of the Native Star Dance
Team of New Mexico perform together at COB Spiecher. The event was in
celebration of Native American Heritage month for Soldiers serving their
country in Iraq. Native American Dancers Treat Soldiers to Show
www.happynews.com/news/1192006/native-american-dancers-treat-sold\
iers-show.htm
<http://www.happynews.com/news/1192006/native-american-dancers-treat-sol\
diers-show.htm> In celebration of Native American Heritage month
Soldiers attended a performance by the Native Star Dance Team of New
Mexico who put on a show filled with entrancing dances and colorful
fashion at Contingency Operating Base Spiecher. The show was organized
with the assistance of Army Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and Nick
Brokeshoulder; a retired Army Sgt. 1st Class. "We wanted to support
the troops and provide a morale support tour to celebrate Native
American Heritage month in the military," said BrokeShoulder. "The
Soldiers have been very receptive and we have been humbled by the
positive comments that they've made." Dancers took the stage wearing
assorted outfits constructed from colorful materials covered with
tassels and other gems. The clothing is characteristic of their rich
history as well as new and passed down traditions. Brokeshoulder was
accompanied by six dancers one of whom was his wife Sharon. "Sharon is
wearing a Women's Southern Cloth, an Oklahoma style wing dress. The
unique thing is Soldiers have given her combat patches. She is going to
sew every single patch to that dress. The patches will never be taken
off and the dress will never be sold it will be kept forever."
Brokeshoulder continued, "The reason she is doing this is because when
she goes to future Pow Wows other Indians will see her dance and ask
about those patches. She will tell them that Combat Soldiers, the modern
day warriors, gave them to her. She is so honored to wear the dress and
throughout time the Indian warrior society has evolved through the
military starting from World War I and now into Iraqi Freedom." As the
audience watched enchanting acts of dance, each individual carried out
their own performance. All the acts performed were a type of Plains
Indian Dance routinely shown throughout North America. According to
Brokeshoulder Native American Soldiers enjoyed the event because it
brought them a little taste of home. "This is a great opportunity.
This is the first time I can recollect where a full fledge dance team
has performed in any atmosphere such as this. Many Native American
Soldiers have come up to us and said we have brought memories from home
to them. I often hear Soldiers say they miss what they left behind. One
young lady told my wife this show touched her so much she got emotional.
She said it was the most beautiful thing we could have done for her
because she misses home," said Brokeshoulder. At the close of the
event the dancers signed autographs, took photos and interacted with
Soldiers. Not only did Soldiers congratulate the performers for their
work, but Brokeshoulder also acknowledged Native American Soldiers as
well. "I have personally been taking photographs of Native American
Soldiers and I plan to send them back to their tribal leaders. In Indian
country veterans are recognized often at many of their gatherings. We
really just want to thank all the Soldiers. They have taken very good
care of us while we have been here and have been treated well beyond our
expectations. This is our 8th performance and we have had one of the
greatest responses at COB Spiecher. We have several shows left but we
really want to thank MWR for all their help and especially our Soldiers
for their support. This is for them," said Brokeshoulder.