NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — In a celebration and sharing of Native American cultural heritage, Nellis is hosting a Native American Heritage Month Powwow today in front of the Sports Pavilion , 1 – 4 p.m.
There are more than 17 tribes scheduled to take part in the powwow, a ceremony involving different dances and feasts as well as demonstrations such as bow and arrow creation, beadwork, quilting, and jewelry fashioning.
Lynn Wulf, the Nellis AFB archeologist and Native American cultural liaison said the Native American ethnic group is the largest military ethnic group.
“The tribes like to share their culture with the Airmen,” Wulf said. “We’re all excited. Our last powwow was in 2005 and we’re thrilled that the Air Force is hosting this one.”
This year’s Native American Heritage Month theme is “Serving our People Serving our Nation and Native Visions for Future Generations”.
“I reached out to the local community to find different tribes and to get people to attend,” said Master Sgt. Iris Levenson, Native American Heritage Project officer for Nellis and Creech. “Then I linked up with Mrs. Wulf and she has contact with more than 17 tribes in a three state area. So, we worked together to come up with one big event for Nellis and Creech and as of right now we have more than 100 participants between dancers, artists, crafts, and musicians.”
Everyone is encouraged to attend the powwow and participate in different demonstrations to help teach and promote cultural understanding.
“People can go look at different demos, artists and crafts and we’re going to have continuous entertainment in the middle,” Levenson said. “It’ll be a traditional powwow.”
