Photo of the Week

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

This has been a difficult week in the Middle East with the deaths of five Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was a tribal member of the Chinook Tribe based in Bay Center, Washington.

The photo of the week captures American Indian drummers and dancers displaying appreciation for veterans.

Whenever Americans are killed overseas in the line of duty or staffing embassies, there is a sense of sadness because of their deaths and yet appreciation that such heroic Americans are willing to lay down their lives for the freedom enjoyed by Americans.

With the knowledge Americans are overseas in harm's way, it is only appropriate we select a photo that we ran on Monday before the cowardly acts in Libya occurred.

The photo of the week captures American Indian drummers and dancers displaying appreciation for veterans who are residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. The drummers and dancers came from across the street in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge 51st Powwow was going on in Riverside Park, which sits along the Grand River.

“Some of the residents come over to our powwow, but told us that there are many who cannot make it across the street. So, several years ago, we decided to go over to them,”

said Lori Shusta, director of the Grand Valley American Indian Lodge.

The two dozen American Indians showed their genuine appreciation to the veterans, who were not able to come over to the powwow. The veterans, in turn, appreciated the recognition and honor for their dedicated service to the nation.

posted September 15, 2012 8:40 am edt