The first ever American Indian Activities' (AIA) Committee Busk premiered at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2. The Seminole word "Busk" refers to a gathering of peoples, and that is precisely what the AIA Busk was--a gathering of NOAC participants for an evening of American Indian song and dance hosted by the AIA staff.
| The Busk provided participants a glimpse of the American Indian Activities' staff in action. The Arrowmen who presented will be teaching sessions on various aspects of the American Indian culture throughout the conference, and the Busk was a great chance to see why they earned the right to serve on the AIA staff. |
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More importantly, the Busk offered a preview of the American Indian Activities staff's program. The staff demonstrated each style of dance and then explained to attendees the sessions available throughout the conference pertaining to that style of dance.
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The highlight was when Chief Curtis Zunidha of the Lenni-Lenape Tribe of Oklahoma offered the prayer in his native language then in English. He was thankful for the rain that had come to nourish "Mother Earth". And asked for blessings on the dancers and all at the Conference. |
| Varied and stunning regalia of the different styles were displayed in dance, bouncing and flowing back and forth in time to the drum. Slow and deliberate or fast and furious, each has it's own beauty and expressiveness. |  |
The Busk was an exciting one-hour experience for Arrowmen, and it was just the tip of the iceberg of American Indian Activities programming at this Conference.
Revised 7/30/00.
