Annual Veterans Day Celebration in Reno to Give Special Thanks to Women
According to the former Assistant United States Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Dr. Tommy Sowers, Native Americans have the highest rate of enlistment into the armed services of any ethnicity in the United States. That national statistic rings true at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.
“Our people have answered and continue to answer the call to duty,” said Arlan D. Melendez, Chairman of the RSIC. “Our warriors defended the United States more than any other ethnicity because we have been here since time immemorial and this truly is our homeland.”
Currently, the RSIC, a tribe of just over 1,100 members, has 54 living veterans, which includes six female soldiers, seven tribal employees, plus five members currently serving in active duty—84 RSIC veterans have passed.
As part of National American Indian Heritage Month and to recognize all Native U.S. servicemen and women, the RSIC will celebrate and honor its veterans with an extravagant parade entry to the annual City of Reno Veterans Parade followed by its annual community dinner at 6 p.m., at the RSIC gymnasium.
“Our Veterans Day community dinner is one of our biggest yearly celebrations,” Melendez said. “We will reflect on the sacrifices made by our service men and women and on this Veterans Day, we give special recognition to the women in the military.”
This year’s keynote speaker will be Victoria Parker, a Western Shoshone Native American from the RSIC. Parker is a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army. After graduating from high school, Parker enlisted and has served as a gunner during Operation Iraqi Freedom III and later as a team and squad leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006-08.
The program for the RSIC Veterans community dinner is outlined below:?
Presentation and Posting of Colors
Welcome & Opening Prayer—Chairman Arlan D. Melendez
Native Prayer—Eagle Wings Dance Group
Flag Song—Natalia Chacon, Little Miss Numaga 2014-15
National Anthem—Chelsea O’Daye
Keynote Speaker—Victoria Parker, U.S. Army
Dinner
Special Recognition of Women in the Military
Recognition & Presentation to Our Living Veterans
Honor Song—Toby & Jamie Stump
Recognition of All Deceased Veterans
Tribute to the Military
Closing TAPS—Fred Vigil on the flute
The RSIC was established in the early 1900s and formed a federally recognized government in 1934 under the Indian Reorganization Act. Located in Reno, Nevada, the RSIC consists of over 1,000 members from three Great Basin Tribes—the Paiute, the Shoshone, and the Washo and provides essential services to over 7,000 Natives. The reservation lands consist of the original 28-acre Colony located in central west Reno and another 1,920 acres in Hungry Valley, which is 19 miles north of the Colony and west of Spanish Springs, Nevada, nestled in scenic Eagle Canyon.
For more information about the Veterans Day Celebration or any of the Native American Heritage Month events, contact Montooth at 775-842-2902 or at smontooth@rsic.org.
Below is a complete listing of all the programs for Native American Heritage Month.
Entry for Reno Veterans Day Parade
Date: Tuesday, November 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Washo County Court House Parking Lot
Contact: Verna Nuno, (775) 329-2936, Ext. 3257
Veterans Day Celebration & Dinner
Date: Tuesday, November 11 at 6 pm
Location: RSIC Reno Gym
Contact: Verna Nuno, (775) 329-2936, Ext. 3257
UNR’s Center for Student Cultural Diversity,
We Tell Stories - Storytelling Event: AIAN Scholarship Banquet & Fundraiser
Date: Wednesday, November 12 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Joe Crowley Student Union, Ballroom C
Contact: Saundra Mitrovich, (775) 682-6499
Rock Your Mocs Contest
Date: Friday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: RSIC Library
Contact: Adrianna Gutierrez, (775) 785-1320
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
Native American Heritage Month Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Pyramid Lake Museum
Contact: Pyramid Lake Museum, (775) 574-1088
Nevada Indian Commission
American Indian Achievement Awards
Date: Saturday, November 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Governor’s Mansion, Carson City, Nevada
Contact: Chris Gibbons, (775) 687-8333
UNR Center for Student Cultural Diversity
Native Athlete Banquet Honoring & Fundraiser
Date: Tuesday, November 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Joe Crowley Student Union
Contact: Saundra Mitrovich, (775) 682-6499
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
People of the Great Basin Gallery Exhibit & Poetry Contest
Date: Thursday, November 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: RSIC Tribal Health Center
Contact: Trisha Calabaza, (775) 329-8802
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
November-fest ‘14 Holiday Craft Fair
Date: Friday, November 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Reno Gym
Contact: Henrietta Tobey, (775) 276-3253
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Native Bling Contest
Date: Tuesday, November 25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Library
Contact: Adrianna Gutierrez, (775) 785-1320
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Eagle Wings Annual After Thanksgiving
Native American Arts & Craft Fair
Date: Friday, November 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: RSIC Reno Gym
Contact: Janice Gardipe, (775) 329-6114 or Lois Kane, (775) 425-3804
