American Indian Heritage Month

WILMINGTON–North Carolina has the 8th largest American Indian population in the country. November is American Indian Heritage month. We spoke with Wilmington Indian Council Chief, Steve Silverheels, who hopes this will encourage people to learn more about his culture.

Silverheels says he regularly chants for inner peace and stability. It’s a common Native American ritual Silverheels is proud of. It’s a heritage he’d like more people to understand.

“We are the first Americans,” Silverheels says, “it hurts us in some ways that we are not recognized more.”

Governor Mike Easley is trying to change that. Last year, he announced November as American Indian Heritage month across the state.
Last month, President Bush signed a law that makes Friday after Thanksgiving Native American Heritage Day.

Both are attempts to spark interest in Native American culture.

Silverheels says, “We want to reach out and touch people with the love of the great
spirit–that’s what we try to do at these Pow Wow’s and at these festivals that we have year long.”

Silverheels belongs to the Mohawk Senaca tribe from the Iroquois nation. He enjoys attending festivals and programs where he can educate people about his heritage.

Now that legislators have put Native American culture in the spotlight this month, He hopes more people will be encouraged to embrace it.

“We very glad to get dressed up and show our stuff–you know what I mean. We’re a proud people, we’re a brave people.”

Chief Silverheels will be preaching at Liberty Community church in Wilmington on November 30th at 10:30 am.

For American Indian Events going on in our area go to www.500nations.com