Alaska National Guard hosts cultural event at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

Photo By 1st Lt. Marisa Lindsay | Services members with the Alaska National Guard converse amongst themselves as they await the official start of an Alaska Native cultural event, hosted by the Alaska National Guard and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and held at the Alaska Heritage Center in Anchorage, May 4. The occasion included Alaska Native food samplings and dance performances, Alaska Native artists, cultural exhibits and craft activities. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marisa Lindsay)  

AK, UNITED STATES

05.05.2016

Story by Sgt. Marisa Lindsay 

Alaska National Guard Public Affairs   

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Members of the Alaska National Guard participated in an Alaska Native cultural day on May 4, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.

Alaska Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott and Brig. Gen. (AK) Laurie Hummel, commander of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, shared opening remarks to kick off the educational celebration.

“As important as Native cultures are to Alaska’s past and present, many of us know far too little about them,” Hummel said. “We are here to celebrate our differences and our commonalities … helping us create tighter teams, do better work for Alaska and our nation and be better.”

The occasion included Alaska Native food samplings and dance performances, Alaska Native artists, cultural exhibits and craft activities. A showing of the documentary, “Eye to Eye with Ivan and the Ice Curtain,” a historical account of Alaska Native Guardsmen during the Cold War, was also involved in the day’s activities.

“The event was very energizing for the organization,” explained Maj. Douglas Smith, the state’s Equal Employment Opportunity manager, who, under Hummel’s guidance, organized plans for the event. “The feedback received has all been positive and ideas for future observances from within our ranks are being brought to our attention.”

The cultural day was planned under the Equal Employment Opportunity Special Emphasis Program and the Department of Defense Special Observance Program. The Alaska National Guard’s Alaska Native cultural day also ties in with one of Hummel’s priorities for the department — increasing engagement with Alaskan communities.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2016
• Date Posted: 05.05.2016 18:47
• Story ID: 197456
• Location: AK, US