House Bill 174, “American Indian Heritage Day” in State of Law is passed. The Inaugural Celebration of the passage of the American Indian Heritage Day in the State of Texas, “RE-BIRTH 2013” will be presented at the Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, September 28, 2013, from 10 am to 5 pm.

“RE-BIRTH 2013” means the American Indians are no longer the invisible people. It is now the time to share with the people of Texas of the many historical, cultural, and social contributions our communities and leaders have contributed to the State of Texas.

Come. Listen, Learn, and Hear.
It is time to listen. Profile in History will be an ongoing video loop of individual American Indians as they reflect on the importance of the LAW, living in Texas and blending of two or more cultures.It is time to learn. Elders Presentation will highlight their tribal history, blending of traditional and modern cultures, participation in the relocation program, and much more. A Dallas resident will be honored as the last full blood tribal member of the Wichita Tribe during this program.It is time to hear. Symphony of Drums. This is a sensorial experience of the heartbeats of drums. Why is the drum important to Indians? The emcee will share that information as well as many other important information. The Northern and Southern style of singing drum groups will share their heritage with the audience.Yes, Come! Celebrate with us in the passage of HR 174 into a LAW.

[title_bar sub_heading=”9:55am – 10:06am” heading=”Opening Ceremonies”]

Opening Ceremonies

9:55am / Opening Drum Song
Bear Claws Drum

10:00am / Opening Prayer
Curtis Williams

10:02am / Welcome, Opening Remarks
Brian Larney

10:06 / Recognition of Texas State Representative
ROBERTO ALONZO, District 104

[title_bar sub_heading=”10:14am – 12:25am” heading=”Elders Presentation”]

Six American Indians will share their stories of their Tribal History/Culture/Traditions

Kathy McDonald, Facilitator
American Indians tribal members will share their tribal history/culture/traditions.  Some of the elders came to Dallas under the relocation program and help shaped the early Dallas Indian history. They will share stories how they coped with a newly developing urban community and a new contemporary tradition outside of their comfort zone.

2013 Rebirth Celebration / Keynote Speaker

Special Recognition – Bernice Whitefeather
“Last full blood female tribal member of the Wichita Nation” 

Roland Poncho – Alabama-Coushatta
Velma Bush – Apache
Juanita Ahtone – Kiowa
Bernice Whitefeather – Wichita
Rodney Stapp, D.P.M. – Comanche
Rosalinda Dillon –  Caddo
Eve and Curtis Williams – Ponca

[title_bar sub_heading=”1:00pm – 2:00pm” heading=”Recognition of Awards”]

Recognition of Awards

Brian Larney, Emcee
GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL – PROCLAMATION

2013 Rebirth Celebration / Keynote Speaker

Recognitions to native and non-native individuals, organization, companies, and Texas Legislatures who were VERY HELPFUL in the passage of HB 174 into a law, thus declaring the last Friday in September as AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE DAY IN TEXAS.

[title_bar sub_heading=”2:00pm – 3:55pm” heading=”The Symphony of Drums”]

Four American Indians Drum Groups will share their stories of their Tribal History/Culture/Traditions

Vernon H. “Cy” Ahtone, Emcee
This event is a sensorial experiment to extract the elements of the pow wow tradition but solely focus on the drums to hear the dialect of the singers and the heartbeat of the drum. The emcee will inform you to the history of drums, the beat of the drum, the meanings of songs and the difference in drums to the many and varied tribal nations.

2013 Rebirth Celebration / American Indian Drum Groups

2013 AIHD /Featured Drum

Bear Claws of Dallas,TX

Rough Arrows of Shawnee,OK
Southern Nations of Apache,OK
Young Buffalo Horses from Shawnee, OK

[title_bar sub_heading=”Videos shown all day” heading=”Profiles in History”]

Profiles in History

Continuous showing at the Viewing Room
Voices of the community members that time cannot gap anymore to share history or leave a message to the generations via educational time capsule video recording. AIHD is able to provide an educational tool of the American Indian culture/heritage/traditions without an appointment.