VICENZA, Italy --"Native Pride and Spirit: Yesterday, Today and Forever" is the theme for this year's Native American Heritage Month.
In keeping with this tradition the Vicenza Military Community members had the opportunity to appreciate various aspects of the Native American history and culture during this year's observance at the Lion's Den on Caserma Ederle Nov. 14.
In addition to a video and a Native American poem recited by Vicenza Middle School teacher Angela West, the program included the remarks of two guest speakers, Karen Maraschino, who is currently working at the U.S. Army Vicenza Health Center and Sgt. Vincent Sanchez, U.S. Army Vicenza Health Command.
Sanchez, who is a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe of Fort Hall, Idaho, explained the significance of several dances.
"When I danced Men's Traditional when I was a teenager, I used to go to the powwows just to watch dancers and listen to the drum," he said.
Some of his favorite dances included war dances such as the Shield Dance, a story of two warriors battling with shields and spears, and the Shake Dance.
"Last but not least, I would mention the Neka-Bia-Gunchun, or Buffalo Dance, where the hunters would dress as buffalo to get close to the herd in order to get to the biggest and best of the buffalo," he added.
To perform this hunters' dance at the Arena was another Sanchez, this time Staff Sgt. Marco Sanchez of the 509th Signal Battalion.
Sanchez performed the traditional Pueblo of Acoma Buffalo Dance along with his two children Derek, 10 and Mya, 6 for the second year in a row.
"We performed here in Vicenza during last year's community celebration. Before coming here, we also did it for a couple of years in Colorado at my son's elementary school," he said.
He explained how this dance was performed prior to leaving for hunting, to make hunters stronger, for having a good hunt and for the spirit of the buffalo.
Sanchez also added that it is important to share these traditions.
"It is very good that we join together. We share what we are, what we represent and educate everyone else. We hold our tradition, we pass it to our children and we share with the community."
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution and the month of November was designated as "National American Indian Heritage Month".
The act has since expanded to celebrate Alaska Natives.
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