Army veteran Brad Bearsheart speaks to the large crowd at the Elkhorn Conference Center attending the Native American Indian Heritage Month observance Nov. 30, 2016. He spoke about Lakota heritage and his family’s military service. (Photo by Lally Laksbergs)
By Lally Laksbergs
Mountaineer staff
An elaborate beaded costume was discussed during the Native American Indian Heritage Month observation Nov. 30, 2016. Dancers create their own beadwork designs and sew their own costumes. (Photo by Lally Laksbergs)
Stories of perseverance, determination and culture were celebrated during the Native American Indian Heritage Month observance Nov. 30, 2016, at the Elkhorn Conference Center.
This year’s theme was “Serving Our Nations” and was hosted by the Fort Carson Equal Opportunity Team and the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
Currently, there are 566 federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes that speak more than 200 languages across the U.S. and there are more than 140,000 American Indian veterans, according to recent Department of Defense statistics.
A Soldier looks over the cultural display at the annual Native American Indian Heritage Month observance at the Elkhorn Conference Center Nov. 30, 2016. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum provided several exhibits of Native American artifacts for display during the event. (Photo by Lally Laksbergs)
Several American Indian leaders who have contributed to the success of the United States were highlighted in a presentation because of their leadership as Soldiers, Medal of Honor recipients and artists. In many cases, these leaders served in their tribal nations.
“I have always been very patriotic, proud of our country and the military as well,” said D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas, guest speaker and a former military officer. “It was an honor to be invited and come to Fort Carson and celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Being a military veteran and tribally-enrolled member of the Odawa nation, this is a perfect venue.”
Nathaniel Bearsheart, part of a local multigenerational Native American family dance group, performs a hoop dance during the Native American Indian Heritage Month observance Nov. 30, 2016, at the Elkhorn Conference Center. During the dance, he created various designs, to include mother earth, eagle and wrangler, with up to 14 hoops at one time. (Photo by Lally Laksbergs)
Vanas imparted Native American warrior concepts and teachings into his discussion about history, the military and how to better contribute to the community.
“The (warrior spirit) isn’t about what you can get, it is about what you can do. It isn’t about who you can dominate, it’s about who you can protect and defend,” said Vanas. “It’s also fighting for something bigger than us, and setting a good example when we do. I’m sure that path sounds very familiar, because everyone in this room is on it.”
He shared several little-known facts about Native American contributions to sports, language, crops and space travel. He described how the U.S. Constitution, to a great degree, was modeled after the Great Law of Peace, which bound six tribal nations into the Iroquois League.
“One of the concepts our elders have promoted, and still do today, is the fact that we are all connected,” said Vanas. “The reason why that is so important is that when we realize that we are part of a unit, team, nation or the planet as a whole, we are all connected. The actions we take and the words we say don’t happen in a vacuum — they affect other people. What you do impacts other people, and we have to be aware of that.”
Brad Bearsheart performs the man’s fancy dance in full Native American regalia during a performance at the annual Native American Indian Heritage Month observance at the Elkhorn Conference Center Nov. 30, 2016. An Army veteran who left the military from Fort Carson, he is part of the Lakota tribe. (Photo by Lally Laksbergs)
The Bearsheart family, a local multigenerational Native American family dance group, performed native dances that included grass, fancy and hoop dances. The group is active in local cultural heritage presentations to schools and works with other international Indian cultural dance groups.
“It’s important that we attend all these observances because it is truly making us better Americans by understanding what each and every other culture brings to our nation,” said Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson. “All those American Indians that have served before us gave greatly to our nation and continue to serve today.”
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum provided several exhibits of Native American artifacts for display during the event.