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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- Nearly 30 people gathered in the Ross Auditorium at Naval Hospital Bremerton, Nov.19, to commemorate Native American Heritage Month. Capt. Mark Boman, executive officer of Naval Hospital Bremerton, kicked off the two-hour event, which included presentations of American Indian history, education, storytelling, drumming, and flute music, along with samples of traditional foods. A small group of Naval Hospital Bremerton staff and volunteers coordinated this year’s event. “We have had Native Americans serving proudly in the armed forces for years,” said Boman. “They bring so much to our military and to our lives.” According to the Naval Historical Center web site, nearly 190,000 Native American military veterans served during the 20th century, with five Medal of Honor recipients among them. Historically, Native Americans have the highest record of service per capita when compared to other ethnic groups, according to the site. Interestingly, not all American Indians were considered citizens until 1924, when President Calvin Coolidge endorsed the Indian Citizenship Act (ICA), and it wasn’t until 1948 that all states in America gave Indians the right to vote, according to the library of congress. The roots of American Indian Heritage Month were sown in 1915 when Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca man, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to declare a day specifically set aside for the “First Americans.” Beginning in 1912, and for three years afterward, the Boy Scouts set aside a day to honor American Indians, according to the Department of the Interior. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Edward Schulz, a pharmacy technician, initiated the Naval Hospital Bremerton event. “It is really amazing how this whole thing came together,” said Schulz. “Quite honestly, I was expecting it to be like it was on the ship - just me interested, and doing this by myself. I have been so overwhelmed by the support of this command and so many individuals here.” This year’s theme, “Celebrating the Spirit of the Past and Present for the Strength of the Future,” also held meaning. Ray Mullen, a member of the Snoqualmie tribe, spoke of the tribe’s 87-year struggle to regain federal recognition. He also discussed the tribe’s influence in the local area over time. Mullen explained that Snoqualmie Pass was named such because it was on a traditional Snoqualmie tribal trade route. Volunteers provided the food, coordinated presentations, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christopher Rona designed and created posters and programs for the event, which featured likenesses of several Native American service members from Naval Hospital Bremerton. William Gilstrap, a teacher at Chief Leschi School on the Puyallup reservation, illustrated some differences in cultural perspectives.  “I am going to introduce myself,” said Gilstrap, “but I’m going to do it in the traditional way. European Americans, when they are at conferences; and in the military and asked to introduce themselves, they’ll state their name, their rank, their educational background, and so on—things that kind of tell how important they are.  “Well, in the Native American culture, that’s not what we do,” Gilstrap continued. “The heritage is what’s important. Each person when you’re asked, ‘Who are you?’ gives an answer that describes them as a story. That’s what you all are; stories,” said Gilstrap, motioning to the crowd. “Stories were very important to the people that first populated this land.” Gilstrap then described his own “story,” which included his family ancestry, and events that shaped their lives. Another pharmacy technician, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Barbara Holloway, a Naval Reservist and civilian pharmacy employee at Naval Hospital Bremerton, also served as a member of the event committee. “I am a Native American,” said Holloway. “I am member of the Snoqualmie tribe.  Petty Officer Schulz asked me if I would help out, so I contacted some people from my tribe to come give a presentation. The theme this year is great. It really hits home,” said Holloway. “This is a good thing that the hospital does.” http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/nhb_celebrates_native_american_heritage_month/