Navy Chaplain Commemorates American Indian Heritage

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- As part of DoD's initiative commemorating America Indian/Alaska Native American Month, Lt. Cmdr. Roy Hoffman, a chaplain, represented the Navy and Chaplain Corps at the 2009 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Native American Heritage observance Nov. 18 in the Sidney Yates Auditorium, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The event included representatives from numerous tribes including Kiowa, Osage, Pawnee, Oglala Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo and Chippewa, and was attended by representatives from several other tribes. Approximately 150 people attended.

After opening remarks, the Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Black Bear Singers offered an honor song, followed by a traditional blessing given by Dennis Zotigh of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Larry Echo Hawk, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs, delivered a moving talk about his recent recruitment to public service, his Pawnee background and his conviction about fair treatment for native peoples.

The keynote address was delivered by Oglala Lakota member Jim Warne, a former Arizona State University football standout and the Director of the Center for American Indian Rehabilitation (CAIR).

Representing the Navy and the Chaplain Corps, Hoffman, a member of the Cherokee tribe himself, led a memorial tribute to American Indian veterans past and present, remembering in particular the twenty-six American Indians who have received the Medal of Honor. "American Indians have made incredible sacrifices in service to our nation," Hoffman said. "Their example is an inspiration to us all."

After the tribute, all veteran and active-duty American Indians were called forward and recognized, and the Black Bear Singers offered a veteran's song with a reverberant drum beat.

Jerry Digner, the director of the BIA, gave the closing remarks, and after the colors were retired, all adjourned nearby for a delicious American Indian meal and conversation.

The moving event was sponsored jointly by the BIA, the National Park Service, and the General Services Administration.

For more news from Chaplain Corps, visit www.navy.mil/local/crb/.