By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, November 8, 2012

Horses, storytelling and jewelry headline the garrison’s National American Indian Heritage Month observance Nov. 20.

The event, hosted by the Fort Belvoir Equal Opportunity Office, provides Belvoir community members a free bus tour to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The bus will pick people up at Belvoir’s Community Center and the tour will allow participants to self-guide their way through the museums’ objects, photographs, archives and media.

“Instead of having someone come out and put on a presentation and talk to people, we felt it would be best to let people experience it hands-on,” said Sgt. First Class Ebonie Washington, EOO advisor. “We felt a bus tour would be the best way to educate them.”

EOO is paying for the bus trip, museum tickets and Native American food sampling, prepared by the museum’s chefs. Food includes buffalo burger, corn and yams.

The event is open to Department of Defense servicemembers, civilians, contractors and Family members and those interested should request a reservation by calling the EOO no later than Friday. Washington said those interested can call the EOO after the deadline to check seat availability and the office will announce the exact meeting time and location at a later date.

National American Indian Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of American Indians. The honor started as a week-long celebration in 1986 after a presidential proclamation by President Ronald Reagan, according to the Library of Congress website. President George W. Bush proclaimed the first National American Indian Heritage Month in 1990 at the request of Congress.

“A week wasn’t long enough to honor all their cultures and contributions,” Washington said. “It was important that our country’s leaders acknowledge all their hard work and contributions: their blood, sweat and tears.”

This year’s theme is “Serving our People Serving our Nations: Native Visions for Future Generations.” Washington explained the theme’s purpose is twofold. The first part honors American Indians’ impact on the U.S. Washington said the impact includes military service, teaching survival methods and helping in education. The theme’s second part urges people to serve American Indians, according to Washington.

“We’re trying to educate everyone so that future generations of American Indians can prosper as part of the U.S. culture,” Washington said. “They have served us and now it’s our turn to serve them.”

Washington believes the museum tour, which houses numerous exhibits, collections and information, will inspire participants to serve American Indians.

Participants can visit the Lelawi Theater, which provides visitors a 13-minute presentation on the themes and messages they’ll encounter during their museum visit.

Participants can also visit the “A Song for the Horse Nation,” exhibit which presents the horse’s influence on American Indian tribes through objects, artwork, photographs, songs and personal accounts, according to the museum’s website.

“It’s awesome,” said Washington of the museum. She encourages anyone eligible to participate, learn and serve American Indians.

Call the Equal Opportunity Office to reserve a seat. Call Sgt. 1st Class Mark Roberts at (703) 805-2288, Washington at (703) 805-5390 or Sgt. 1st Class Jame Fontenot at (703) 806-7121.