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The American Indian Chamber of Commerce 2005 Annual Awards Banquet was a great success with more than 200 attendees and a 39% increase in Silent Auction sales. The Hughes Trigg Ballroom on the beautiful Southern Methodist University Campus hosted event. Flute player Anthony Cordova, a Native American performer and recording artist who began playing the flute 10 years ago, provided Reception Music. This renowned Otomi artist has just recorded his first CD titled, Canyon Mist.
The invocation was give by Anne Hickey a respected and treasured elder of the Seminole and Creek Nations. Anne sang Amazing Grace in the Creek Language, she was accompanied by Mr. Cordova. At the age of 16, Anne began singing in her church. Her current singing career began 5 years ago at a Fort Worth American Indian Art Show. Anne’s combination of traditional gospel music and her native (Creek) language makes for inspirational listening enjoyment – putting her in great demand with standing dates at several Metroplex events. |
2005 Annual Awards Banquet
The
All Nations Color Guard posted the flags of the Untied States, Texas, and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
Formed in 2002 by a group of Native American Veterans, the Color Guard honors the United States
flag, United States Military, and all veterans past, present, and future.
(M) Emmett Brown, (Far R) Daniel Lopez
The program included a fashion show, showcasing a modern take on American Indian Dresses. Dr. Jeanette Bynumn of WolfSpirit created the fashions.
WolfSpirit started out with ribbon shirts, herbal eye masks, jewelry, and crafts. They have recently expanded into traditional regalia, such as, ribbon shirts, mantas, and tear dresses. Clothing is worn by gourd, grass, straight dancers and storytellers, nationwide. WolfSpirit incorporates traditional with modern so that their clothing can be worn every day, not just for special occasions. They also branched into holistic medicine.
Javier
Gonzales performed a traditional Hoop dance. Javier has ancestry
through the Mayan and Aztec tribes, but was adopted by Tulalip Tribes of
Washington, where his wife, Jenna, is a Tribal Member.
The Native American Hoop Dance can mean many different things for different people. For many, it symbolizes the progression of life. The hoop also represents eternity. Colors on the hoop represent the nations of the earth or the four directions. The dance follows the growth process of an Eagle, and of humans.
The dance begins with 1 hoop and progresses to 19 hoops. During the dance, the dancer adds more hoops, creating images that an eagle would see in his lifetime, including insects and animals. At the end of the dance, the hoops are formed into two balls, one representing the earth and the other the sun (some people say it is the earth and heaven, our final view).
The food was outstanding and showcased the SMU caterers' ability to work closely with our banquet committee to offer a uniquely traditional meal. The menu consisted of:
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Romaine leaves topped with cranberries, walnuts, and smoked beef with creamy Dijon vinaigrette |
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Grilled chicken and buffalo with a 3-pepper corn sauce, Three Sisters succotash, yams with fresh rosemary |
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Sweet potato muffins served warm with butter and pumpkin cheese cake (in the shape of a pumpkin) |
During dinner, John "Rocky" Barrent, Chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation gave an entertaining and informative speech about which people are still taking.
His message regarding the need for unity among Indian country regarding who determines who is “Ndn” was powerful and thought provoking. The story of the rise of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation was impressive and very inspiring for those Indian Nations still working toward financial wellbeing.
Finally the grand finale – the announcement of the 2005 Award Winners (see bios below):
Left to Right: Greg & Lari Howard, TJ Williams, Laura Jo Halverson, Beth Greenwood, Anthony Brown, Cheryl Steven, Tom Anderson
Bios of the 2005 Award Winners
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Advocate of the Year – Lari & Greg Howard: Various Indian Peoples Publishing, Inc. VIP Publishing Co. began in northwest Arkansas in 1987 to address the threatened extinction of so many Native languages. Today, VIP Publishing is the largest single suppler of Native languages items in the country. Greg, a member of the Cherokee and Powhatan Nations and his wife Lari, have created a company that is uniquely respectful of the American Indian culture. VIP never charges for it services working cooperatively with tribes in reproducing their language programs. “We are totally devoted to the resurrection of Native languages and returning that language to this people.” |
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American Indian Community Individual of the Year – LaTona Williams LaTona is a full-blood member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and has selflessly served the American Indian community for 13 years. She has a knack for building community-based initiatives such as: Dallas Indian Bowling League and Dallas Indian Sports League Softball Tournament. LaTona can always be found helping at local events such as the DISD American Indian Education Paw-wow, Texas Kiowa Tia Piah Society pow-wow, the American Indian Center pow-wows, and the AIEP Annual Indian Basketball tournament, where for 9 years she served as referee and score keeper. During this time, LaTona has dedicated her professional life to the American Indian comity as well working for 9 years at the American Indian Center as an Executive Assistant and for the last 18 months, at the Dallas Urban Inter-tribal center as a family counselor. She has built an excellent reputation as a reliable and effective volunteer dedicated to helping all American Indian people. |
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Corporation of the Year – TXU TXU's policy is to procure goods and services from qualified suppliers and contractors. This policy ensures that businesses owned by women and minorities, as well as small businesses, have equal opportunities to participate in their Procurement process. In supporting the development of such firms, TXU actively seeks qualified minority-and women-owned business concerns with which to do business and endeavors to assist these business concerns with their development. |
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American Indian Business of the Year – The Greenwood Group After a 22-year business career in the large corporate environment in banking and consulting, Beth founded her own consulting practice where she spend several years traveling world-wide to establish Banc of Bermuda’s first strategic planning effort. In 1999, Beth founded The Greenwood Group in order to provide unique products and services to the mass market retail and hospitality industry markets. The Greenwood Group’s revenue has increase 1771% in 2004/2005. |
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Buyer of the Year – Mr. Anthony Brown Mr. Brown is currently a buyer in the area of Construction & Facilities Services Procurement with Texas Instruments in Dallas TX. Anthony’s philosophy on Minority Suppliers is to establish a solid pool of existing minority suppliers from which to choose, and continues to establish new ones on regular basis. As evidenced by a $4 million increase in minority spending in 2005, this has proven to be a successful philosophy. |
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President' Award for Lifetime Support of the American Indian Business Community – Texas Instruments Accepted by Cheryl Stevens |
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American Indian Business Individual of the Year – Tom Anderson of Trinity Trailer Sales & Service |
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Tom Anderson incorporated Trinity Trailer Sales in 1975. Since that time, the company has grown to one of the largest trailer dealership in the southwest. Trinity Trailer presently employs 35 employees, of which 70% are minorities. Tom was an organizer and Charter Member of the National Trailer Dealer Association. He has served on the chamber Board of Directors for 7 years and acting as Treasurer for 3 of those years. As both a Director and Company President, Tom has gone above and beyond the call of duty in his support of the American Indian Business Community. |
The
Board of Directors and the Banquet Committee
would like to thank the following sponsors:
| Platinum |
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Edwin Cox School of Business/Southern Methodist University Minority Business News Redlee SCS Group |
| Gold |
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Acumen Enterprises American Airlines Beard Mechanical, Inc. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Dallas Area Rapid Transit D/FW International Airport The Greenwood Group Trinity Trailer Sales & Services TXU |
| Silver |
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B-2-B Casuals Ball Corporation Citizen Potawatomi Nation Employees Mechanical Inc. Parkland Health & Hospital Systems The Staubach Company |
| Reception Sponsors |
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Arrow Embroidery Ceco Sales Hemphill Consulting JMC Corporation Raincor, Inc. Southwest Sanitary Company Universal Display & Fixtures US Department of Commerce WolfSpirit |
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