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Marauders observe Native American Heritage Month

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eric Petosky
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing observed the beginning of Native American Heritage Month with a powwow ceremony and peace fire here Nov. 5, 2014.

This year’s theme is, “Native Pride and Spirit: Yesterday, Today and Forever,” and the observance promotes the value of Native American ancestry and traditions.

First Lt. Karissa Greene, 386th Expeditionary Operations Group executive officer and Native American Heritage Month committee leader, said planning the powwow was a team effort, and she was proud of the way everything turned out.

“Everyone was ready with great ideas, and it formed into the powwow after doing a bit of research beforehand on what exactly a powwow entailed,” she said. “From there everyone worked on their portion to bring it together, and I could not have been prouder. We should honor the Native Americans as many things we take for granted came from them, the first people who contributed into the melting pot that made America what it is today.”

To begin the ceremony, first sergeants presented their units’ guidon in a circle around the peace fire, as Master Sgt. Eddie Savage, 386th EOG first sergeant, explained the meaning behind burning jute, sage, sweet grass, and other materials during the ritual. The peace fire materials were sent here from one of Savage’s prior professors at Northeastern Illinois University. It comes from the ancient peace fire of the Three Fire Society, descended from the Ojibway tribe, which has been burning at the university since 1996.

Traditionally, powwows allowed friends, strangers and even rivals to celebrate in a peaceful environment. Savage explained that units in the Air Force resemble separate tribes, and he hoped the ceremony would bring Airmen closer together while deployed.

After the peace fire, participants passed through a cleansing ritual, or smudging, of sage smoke to purify the body and dispel evil spirits, and then listened to presenters explain the purpose and history of honoring Native Americans in November.

“As we celebrate the rich traditions of the original peoples of what is now the United States, we cannot forget the long and unfortunate chapters of violence, discrimination, and deprivation they had to endure,” said Staff Sgt. Roland Courtemanche, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, citing President Barack Obama’s Native American Heritage Month proclamation.

“For far too long, the heritage we honor today was disrespected and devalued, and Native Americans were told their land, religion, and language was not theirs to keep,” Courtemanche recited. “We cannot ignore these events or erase their consequences for Native peoples -- but as we work together to forge a brighter future, the lessons of our past can help reaffirm the principles that guide our Nation today.”

After the Presidential proclamation, Marauders learned about the Navajo “Code Talkers” of World War II, and watched a video depicting traditional dance and ritual garb. Airmen were free to take dream catchers and literature as the event came to a close.

“It’s important that we observe events like this,” Savage said. “Diversity makes us great; I hope people opened their minds and learned a little bit more about Native American culture.”

The 386th AEW will provide free showings of Native American-themed movies at the base theater through the remainder of November.

(Some information courtesy of the Northeastern Illinois University website)