State Indian Commission honors Nevadans at Nov. 2 American Indian Achievement Awards Banquet
The Nevada Indian Commission will honor four Nevadans at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City for their important contributions to the American Indian community.
The American Indian Achievement Awards Banquet and Silent Auction is now in its fourth year and is the first statewide effort to recognize people in the state that have positively influenced the lives of American Indians.
Gov. Brian Sandoval has proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month. “Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s awards at the American Indian Achievement Award Banquet,” Gov. Sandoval said. “Each winner has shown leadership and a commitment to preserving the American Indian community in our great state. I applaud their work and the work of the American Indians in Nevada.”
“This year, we are pleased to bring well-deserved recognition to the outstanding accomplishments of four Nevadans who are dedicated to representing American Indian people in a positive light," said Richard Arnold, commission chairman. “The Banquet continues to be a huge success and allows us to raise funds to support our efforts in establishing a cultural center at the former Stewart Indian School."
The five members of the Nevada Indian Commission selected the 2013 award recipients. The Indian Commission’s mission is to ensure the well being of American Indians statewide through development and enhancement of the government to government relationship between the State of Nevada and Indian tribes, and through education for a greater cultural understanding of the state’s first citizens. The commission was established in 1965 to be the conduit between the governor and the 27 federally-recognized Nevada tribes.
“The awards banquet continues to celebrate the extraordinary leadership and achievements of Nevadans working in and for Indian Country,” said Sherry Rupert, executive director of the Indian Commission. “The event is a great way to celebrate these individuals and to celebrate American Indian Heritage Month.”
Receiving Achievement Awards in each category are:
American Indian Community Leader of the Year – Arlan Melendez, chairman of the Reno Sparks Indian Colony, for his visionary leadership and steadfast advocacy on healthcare issues on behalf of American Indians statewide and nationally.
American Indian Youth Services/Role Model of the Year – Dr. Debra Harry, a Pyramid Lake Paiute tribal member, for her advocacy of human rights and cultivation of a new generation of leadership committed to the protection and perpetuation of the rights, culture and lifeways of indigenous peoples in the Great Basin.
American Indian Youth Ambassador of the Year – Jordan M. Williams, Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Lame Deer member, for her outstanding leadership, academic achievement, athleticism and being a positive role model for other American Indian youth.
Contributor and Supporter of the Year – Paulette Cummins, vocational rehabilitation counselor, Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, for her passion in ensuring that American Indian constituents attain a positive employment outcome from their participation in the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
Ralph Burns of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, a 2013 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award along with other traditional American Indian storytellers, Western Shoshone Norm Cavanaugh and Moapa Band of Paiutes’ Juanita Kinalichini will entertain, with all proceeds from the event benefiting the establishment of the Stewart Indian Cultural Center.
For information on the Nevada Indian Commission and the Achievement Awards Banquet visit www.nic.nv.gov and for more information on the Stewart Indian Cultural Center please visit www.StewartIndianSchool.com. Contact (775) 687-8333 or
llotts@nic.nv.gov.
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