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Army Brat Spreads Word About Her Indian Culture in Powwow Dances, Speeches
Monday, November 26, 2001
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service

"I come to a powwow to be an Indian, to get a sense of myself. This is part of Indian spirituality, to help each other and to celebrate with each other. When I come to powwows, I gain strength to carry on with my life."
-- Rachel Snow, Assiniboin

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Every time Boe Harris- Nakakakena speaks and dances at a school, university, civic meeting, veteran's organization or Powwow, someone always ask, "Do you still live in a teepee? Do you still hunt for your food?"

Then there's the comment that makes her laugh: "You don't look like an Indian."

Harris genteelly explains that some American Indians have lodges and tipi tepees that they spend time in during the summer months. Otherwise, they live in houses and apartments just like the rest of Americans.

With a chuckle, Harris said she tells them, "This is the year 2001 and we hunt for our food in grocery stores. But some American Indians still hunt -- just like a lot of ‘other’ Americans."

The head woman dancer at Bolling Air Force Base's recent two-day Veteran's Powwow, Boe Harris-Nakakakena (which means 'rattles with feet'), 55, travels up and down the East Coast telling people about her American Indian heritage and culture. An Army brat, she also takes time during Powwows to tell the audience about her family's military background.
(More: DefenseLink.Mil News Source)
2001 © American Forces Press Service.

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