By CATHERINE ELLERTON
Moapa Valley Progress
“In recognition of Native American Day and in honor of Native American Cultures and the contributions they have made to our community and the great state of Nevada.”
These words were inscribed on a Certificate of Congressional Recognition presented to the Lost City Museum by the U. S. House of Representatives through Congressman Cresent Hardy (R-Mesquite). The presentation was made on Saturday by young Bailey Kesl, an intern to Congressman Hardy, at the Native American Day Celebration hosted by the Lost City Museum.
Kesl is a senior at MVHS who is planning to enter the military upon her graduation. She became an intern because she also is considering going into politics once her military service is completed. A very ambitious young lady!
This colorful and educational annual celebration was filled with artisans sharing their stories and creations and musicians sharing their native dances and songs. In addition, representatives from the Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas were on hand to help the young to learn various early crafts including making pots from clay and designing bead jewelry.
There were many artisans present at the celebration. Evelyn Tsinnijinnie was there with her beautiful jewelry items. I was intrigued by the different jewelry pieces that used a seed or berry in their design. I was advised that “Cedar berries which come from the cedar tree are made into beads which are used in a variety of different jewelry. It is believed they offer protection, ward off bad spirits and bad dreams and are used as a symbol of good luck.”
As Evelyn is a genealogist, we became engaged in a very interesting genealogy discussion. She is a quarter Hopi, a quarter Caucasian and one-half Navajo. She has traced her roots back through Missouri to Kentucky. That is where it got interesting: she might have some connection to Daniel Boone.
Juanita Kinlichinie Bow, a full Paiute, went to middle school in Logandale and attended several years at MV High School. She took a moment from her demonstration of creating a jewelry design to sing during the performance segments.
C. J. Butler from New Mexico had served in the Army during the Vietnam era. His son, Kevie, is also an Army Veteran who served in Iraq during Operation Freedom.
Lula Mae of the Whiterock Group from Arizona stated proudly that she had been selling her artistic works to the LCM for 40 years.
Dances such as the popular Shawl Dance, Jingle Dress Dance and Crow Hop were performed. The dancers from the Horse Creek Intertribal Dancers and the Polk Family Dancers took time to explain the dances, the stories behind them, the steps and the creation of the outfits worn.
Damon Polk of the Polk Family Dancers explained that the multi-feathered bustle in the male dancers dress signifies a constant turmoil. The two large feathers on top of the headdress signifies two men talking, he said. He and his son, Julian, performed dances in the Northern Traditional Style Dancing.
It was then time to try the Indian Tacos and the ‘non-fattening’ fry bread – it would only be polite, after all. This was another beautiful day in Southern Nevada shared with new friends and old.
