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Photos: Remembering the First Known Pow Wow Held in a U.S. Combat Zone by Native Americans
In 2004, U.S. Army Sergeant Debra Mooney, Choctaw, and the 120th Engineer Combat Battalion staged the first pow wow held in a U.S. combat zone by Native Americans. The Native American Inter-Tribal Pow Wow was held in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to the National Museum of the American Indian, the two-day event, held at the Al Taqaddum Air Base near Fallujah, featured Native regalia, dancing and singing, and traditional games and foods, including genuine frybread. Participants made their pow wow drum from a discarded 55-gallon oil barrel and canvas from a cot. The goal of the pow wow was to bring a piece of home to Native Americans serving in Iraq while sharing their cultural heritage with fellow soldiers, marines, and sailors.
American Indians have served in the U.S. military since the American revolution, before they were allowed U.S. citizenship, and by percentage they serve more than any other ethnic group. The 120th Engineer Combat Battalion has its headquarters in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, also home to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
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I am used to seeing stick
I am used to seeing stick ball played by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at Cherokee, NC. What's with the fish on a high stick? EBCI players try to put the small ball between leafy sticks that designate goals at each end of a field.
However, many congrats to our
However, many congrats to our warriors in service fighting for their country and letting the world know Indians are still fighting for their country.
I can' t remember the exact
I can' t remember the exact year, but we sent a drum and pow-wow dancers to Iraq to perform for our troops and Native warriors who were serving there. Nick & Sharon Brokeshoulder and their sons and daughter, risked their lives , literally, flying by helicopter from one fire base to another, to entertain our troops. I will forever be indebted to them for doing that. They were and still are the greatest pow-wow family in my eyes. Wopila.
Ironic, I am reading
Ironic, I am reading "Warriors in Uniform" for a research paper I am doing. It mentions this very powwow, I missed it by 5 months. By the time we arrived at TQ we were preparing for Battle of Fallujah. Glad it happened.
Sgt. Kurtz
USMC Potawatomi