Photo By Sgt. Michael Owens | Maj. Gen. Hunt B. Downer, assistant adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard,...... read more read more
Subscribe
NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana National Guard participated in a dedication ceremony last weekend held by the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma at Fort Pike in eastern New Orleans, in remembrance of the tribal members brought there in the 1800s.
"I am honored to celebrate our tribe in this special ceremony," said Enoch Kelly Haney, principle chief of the Seminole Nation. "In order to remain strong as a tribe, we have to remember everyone who came and died before us."
During the sacred and private ceremony, the Seminoles honored their loved-ones with songs, prayers and dances that symbolize love and peace, and invited the Guardsmen to join in on the occasion.
"I am also happy to share this moment with the Louisiana National Guard. They have really stepped up to help us, and we deeply appreciate their efforts," said Haney. "The Guardsmen have sincerely opened their arms to us and given us their peace and love."
The Seminoles also unveiled a plaque that honored Chief Huithli "Jumper" Emaltha, a Seminole war leader who died at the fort, along with other tribal members, during their relocation from Florida in the 1830s.
After the event at Fort Pike, everyone traveled to Jackson Barracks where Maj. Gen. Hunt B. Downer, assistant adjutant general of the LANG, gave a welcome speech and a briefing on the history of the LANG installation.
Downer was also presented with a gift that recognizes how the LANG and the Seminoles have built a great relationship with one another.
"What we have experienced today is what America is all about," said Downer. "We are all brothers in arms, and I am honored to have been invited to participate in this sacred day."
The tribe also blessed the area of Jackson Barracks where the remains of a Seminole woman were found during the installation's reconstruction.
"To know where you are going, you have to know where you have been. The fact that you are paying tribute to the past means that you are moving in a positive direction," said Downer.
Since 1997, the LANG has continued to work with the Indian nations who have any cultural affiliation with military land in Louisiana.
"The Louisiana National Guard maintains a government to government relationship with all federally recognized Indian tribes that have a cultural affiliation with Louisiana military lands," said retired Lt. Col. Michael Tarpley, the LANG cultural resources program manager. "We have enjoyed working together with the tribal nations over the past twelve years to ensure protection of American Indian cultural sites and compliance with federal and state laws."
Throughout the entire day, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma expressed their gratitude towards the LANG's efforts to preserve all of their history and culture.
"The Louisiana National Guard plays a big part in recapturing our history and keeping our culture alive," said Haney. "As a result, this organization will be forever considered a part of us."
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2009 09:50 |
| Story ID: | 35559 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 465 |
| Downloads: | 394 |
This work, Louisiana National Guard forms everlasting bond with Native Tribe, by SGT Michael Owens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT