Neew Year's Stompdance and Dinner
Select an image below to see it larger.
Through the combined support of our Circles of Care project and our Indian Youth Program, members of our local Indian community and area towns turned out in force to enjoy a New Year’s Dinner and Stomp Dance. Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa is most appreciative of the hospitality provided by the Owasso Indian Education program and Owasso Public Schools to host the January 19 event at the Owasso 7th Grade Center Gymnasium.
The stomp dance and dinner had to be rescheduled when the December ice storm forced cancellation of a planned Christmas event. Even with the rescheduling, the New Year’s Stomp Dance and Dinner was attended by over 200 people. Many volunteers helped prepare a hearty chili dinner that was served free to the public. The Owasso Native American Student Association (NASA) was well-represented – their members hosted an informational table where they sold t-shirts and volunteered as greeters at the event sign-in table. Media coverage of the event was provided by News Channel 6.
The holiday spirit of goodwill and fellowship was still in the air as the Indian Health Care Resource Center staff distributed gifts of hats, gloves and socks to youth and elders. Donations were provided by IHCRC, OU Sooner Success and Bill McCauley (Seminole). Throughout the evening, donated artwork from Bill McCauley and other gifts were raffled.
The evening’s program included various speakers who shared information about health and wellness and the importance of cultural traditions. The Circles of Care Youth Drum Group sang a number of songs before the dancing began. The IHCRC Health Education and Wellness Department collected over 70 surveys from Indian youth, families and elders to learn more about the potential interest of our local Indian people to undertake community gardening activities in the months ahead.
We would like to thank all our volunteers for their generous support of the New Year’s Stomp Dance and Dinner.