"American Indians performed war dances and beat drums, competing in the National Powwow staged to honor past and present warriors. Some American Indian military veterans marched in the opening ceremony. v Pamela Barnwell is part Cherokee. She came from New York City to see an event she says could encourage people to discover their legacy and help keep America Indian culture alive. "And this may make them want to dig deeper and maybe come here and learn more about their ancestry." The term powwow comes from a Narragansett word meaning "healing ceremony." In today's powwows, tribes gather to share songs, dances and blessings. One ceremony honored Chickasaw [tribe member] John Herrington -- who expressed pride to be the first American Indian in space. "It's a great honor and it's a responsibility. You want to do the best job you can do to honor your family, where you came from. It's inherent to who you are and my work ethic. I take that pride and carry it into my job."" Get the Story:
Thousands of American Indians Participate in National Powwow (Voice of America 9/5) Relevant Links:
National Museum of the American Indian - http://www.nmai.si.edu Related Stories:
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