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Show Nov. 4, 1993 Luncheon to celebrate Native American Month by Jacque Larsen "Harmony: Mental, Physical, Social, Earthly and Spiritual," is the theme for National American Indian Heritage Month in November. In recognition of the special month, the Hill AFB American IndianAlaskan Native Program Committee will host the annual awareness luncheon on Nov. 17 at the NCO Club, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indian tacos and beverages will be served for $5.50. The speaker will be Brooke S. a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Weber State University in Ogden. Arkush, a renowned lecturer in anthropology and archaeology, will show a slide presentation. Two videos will be shown over the LAN on channel 40. The videos are "More Than Bows and Arrows" and "One Voice Under One Sky." The tentative dates and times are: Today, tomorrow, Nov. 16 and 18: 10 a.m. "More Than Bows and Arrows" Ar-kus- h, 13 HARSWIOIMY vv 2 p.m. "One Voice Under One Sky" For more information about dates and times contact Jacque Laursen at . Financial Management Directorate Hilltop Times Ext. Also, American Indian crafters will 9 be at the base exchange Nov. 15-2a.m. to 7 p.m. The crafts are made in traditional Indian fashion. For tickets to the luncheon and more information contact one of the following people: Thorn Woolworth, LA, Bldg. 220: 0, Ext. Is " Gwen Davis, LA, Bldg. 1223: Ricky Martinez, LI: Scott Burbank, SC: Jacque Larsen, FM: Joyce Davison, CE: Shirley Midget, MWRS: Norma Opeikens, TI: Marie Nielson, PK: Carma Scoffield, LM: Marilyn Walker, DP: or Nova McNabb, SG: Bill Yeates, LA, Bldg. 100: SSgt. Marian Namingha, DP: Elaine Alire, Mary Ann Camden, LI: INDIAN-IN-THE-MOO- P: N Military asks permission to use tribal land by Evelyn D. Harris American .1 I "V Forces Information Service Terry Hansen is a tall, lean, weathered former Marine who admires John Wayne and talks straight like his hero. But in his current job, he also listens a lot. Hansen's business card says he's an "assistant airspace manager and Indian liaison officer." He works with the Tohono O'Odham people, a Native American tribe in southern Arizona. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and National Guard aviators fly over their reservation, about the size of Connecticut. His job is to listen to tribal concerns about these overflights and to troubleshoot whenever he can. Although he works for the Air Force, he's the single DOD point of contact with the tribe. Sometimes it's a delicate job, he said. "The Tohono O'Odham tribe was formerly called the Papago, meaning bean eater, and was a name given to them by the Spaniards," Hansen explained. "In 1986, they changed their name to Tohono O'Odham, which means 'people of the desert.' " "Odham people feel they've had three conquerors: the Spanish, the Apaches and the white men," said Hansen. "They believe they'll survive all the conquerors. They want to preserve their heritage." Recently, Hansen and Army Lt. Col. Richard Murphy visited the reservation to talk to tribal leaders about expansion of the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site at the Silver Bell Army National Guard training complex. Murphy is expansion project manager for the complex, which trains attack helicopter pilots for the regular Army and some foreign nations, as well as for the Army National Guard. The Silver Bell complex is near Marana, Ariz., about 27 miles northwest of Tucson. The complex has several alternatives for expansion, all of which affect the Odham people because aviators will need to fly over their reservation. Murmeetphy also meets with ranchers and holds open ings in several jurisdictions so all concerned citizens can learn about the plans and express their concerns. Commented Hansen, "The days when the military aviators could fly anywhere they want are gone." Hansen said he has no typical day or week, but he gets to the reservation at least once a week. On this occasion, he and Murphy talked to Rita Martinez and Maynard Joaquin Sr., leaders of the District. The tribe is divided into districts, each with a chairperson and vice chairperson elected . every two years. As a one-lan- e asphalt road crosses the reservation Sif-Oid- ak new structure that also houses the Headstart program, serving 40 youngsters. Children's colorful artwork decorates the walls. Deborah Lewis, tribal secretary, greets the visitors and sits at a table with Lewis, Martinez and Joaquin. Murphy explained that the bigger training area Disand increased flights will affect the trict more than any other, because all alternatives involve flying over it. Murphy said he's scheduled open meetings in five Sif-Oida- J ( .' I i ' I A J i 'ri.r A 11 ) Photo by CMSgt. Tom Kuhn delicate balance Terry Hansen and Rita Martinez stand in front of k District Office. As the Defense the Sif-Oida- Department's Indian liaison in Arizona, Hansen listens to Martinez's concerns about military ac- tivities affecting her people. Martinez is chairperk District of the Tohono son of the O'Odham Nation. Sif-Oida- boundary, it becomes one lane of red dirt. An Indian boy rids by on a pony. The men drive past some shacks, some more prosperous homes with gardens y and satellite dishes and then a modern center. vocational structure housing the training Hansen said the tribe is still poor, but things are improving. "Bingo has been a boon, and they've been using the money for things like this training center. They own some mines, and their baskets are among the best in the Southwest, some of them fetching $1,000, and that's been a help." k District Building is an attractive The one-stor- Sif-Oida- k nearby communities and asked if Martinez wants him to come to the district building for another meeting. Martinez said she thinks it will be important to give her people as much information as possible, but she wants to check with the district council on the meeting's timing. Martinez said she'd like to see exactly what area would be affected. Murphy produced a map with all alternatives clearly displayed. "Our aviators will need to fly low," Murphy explained. "But they won't only open land. I have an 800 fly over villages number I'll give you so you can call with any questions or complaints. If it's something I can control, I'll try to fix it." Hansen also offered more Air Force help for the tribal school's D.A.R.E. (drug awareness resistance education) program and for career days in the schools. The Air Force has been active in these programs for years, and Martinez and Joaquin said they are well received. The tribal schools have also e been active in the Wright Flight program, a confidence-building and program manned largely by military volunteers that offers kids plane rides. Martinez said gangs attract tribal youth, making anti-gan- g messages important. Hansen said, "Parental support is really important to any youth program. I'm really impressed by the way the (tribal) parents supported the kids in the Wright Flight program. They drove all the way from San Simon to Ajo (about 50 miles) to the start of the fly day at 7:30 a.m." Martinez said recently introduced bilingual education in the schools and teaching a course in Odham history and culture are also helping. In closing, Hansen urged the tribal representatives to call him if they had any problems related to military activity. "If you talk to us, chances are we can help," said Hansen. "I'm not saying youH never have comif you didn't, I wouldn't have a job. But plaints I'll do my best to help." drug-resistanc- |