Veterans Pow-Wow in Ponemah honors all Veterans

         (RLNN) - The O’Bah Sheeng 5^th Annual Veterans Pow-Wow poster stated they were ‘Honoring all Red Lake Nation Veterans and families of Veterans”, but in Ponemah, it went beyond just those Veterans on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.

         One in particular, was Army Pfc. Lori Ann Piestewa, a Hopi Indian, 23 of Tuba City, Arizona. Pietstewa was the first American servicewoman killed in the war in Iraq. Pietstewa, the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and the granddaughter of a World War I Veteran, was assigned to the 507^th Maintenance Company, Ft. Bliss, Texas and was killed in an ambush near Nasinyah, Iraq.

         She was honored with the adding of an eagle plume to the Obahsheeng Veterans Staff in her name.

         Red Lake member, Lorna Roybal of Bemidji, also entered back into the sacred circle by starting to dance again for her own well being, as well as the well being of her son who is in Iraq with a Blackhawk Unit.

         This honoring of all Red Lake Veterans began on Saturday, November 8, 2003 at the Ponemah Community Center with othe veteran ceremonies throughout the weekend, as well as a Veterans powwow which saw over 200 dancers on its last night.

         The honoring of veterans concluded on Tuesday with a 21-gun salute at 11 a.m. by the Red Lake VFW Post 6889, a spiritual blessing by Spiritual Advisor Tommy J. Stillday, veteran’s honor songs, and a community feast and give-away.

         “Centuries ago the Sioux occuppied this territory, and the Ojibwes moved in,” Eugene Stillday said outside of the Community Center after the 21-gun salute. “There were a lot of squirmishes. We lost a lot of Warriors, and they lost a lot of Warriors...”

         Stillday spoke of the customs back then, those followed in this day, the Three-Star Warrior Society of Ponemah and paying tribute to the people that have never made it back from hostilities.

         One of the organizers of the 4-day event, Larry Stillday, also thanked the Red Lake Tribal Council for their support and generous contributions, along with greatly appreciated donations from Red Lake Industries, Red Lake Housing Authority, 7-Clans Casinos, Jourdain/Perpich Extended Care Center, Red Lake Department of Natural Resources and the Red Lake Chemical Health Program.

         Stillday also spoke about how grateful he was on the generosity and hospitality of the Ponemah Community for all their support and making all guests and visitors feel very welcome, as well as those who helped out throughout the weekend, and the Great Spirit for always being there with them to watch over them.