

HISTORY








"WHERE
WILL YOUR SPIRIT BE
WHEN THE SUN RISES IN 2008?"
This
was the question asked by the indigenous people of the world to mark their
entrance into the 21st Century for their children. With only the promise of
a place to stay and one good meal a day, over 187 tribal nations responded
and gathered in Tucson, Arizona to greet the rising sun. They came from Australia,
Mexico, Bolivia, Honduras, Panama, Alaska, Canada and the United States. It
was a globally doomed Y2K year with no corporate sponsor, still they came
for ten days to share their songs, foods, dances and crafts in an epic event
called "Thunder in the Desert". It became the world's largest Native
American media covered event as part of ABC Peter Jennings' live coverage
of the sun-rising in each time zone seen by three quarters of a billion people
world-wide. Peter Jennings expressed to his audience that only among indigenous
people do we see man holding hands with other men to bring in the New Millennium
during our midnight friendship round dance. The elders and the indigenous
communities have asked for it to be repeated an additional three times to
fulfill the sacredness of the number four. The all-volunteer committee has
committed to complete this request with the final event in 2012.
A recommitment will be made to the continuation of the strength, beauty and endurance of our traditions and cultures by providing a platform of inspiration for our Native American Indian Youth, as they continue into the 21st Century. Following the request of our elders, traditional teachings of our ancestors, and the needs of our seventh generation youth, we will showcase the strength, beauty and endurance of our spirituality, traditions and cultures. The People will come together in celebration of our continued existence throughout the past millennium. The all volunteer committees and it's sponsoring non-profit group Reservation Creations Women's Circle Charitable Trust and the National Native America Cooperative and North America Indian Information and Trade Center is dedicated to providing an enjoyable, educational and inspiring experience from an indigenous point of view. We welcome everyone to join us and again we ask,
"WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN THE SUN RISES?"
INVITATION
MISSION STATEMENT

10,000 YEARS
OF CULTURE - 150 TRIBAL NATIONS
10 DAYS - 1 LOCATION
RILLITO RACEWAY PARK - TUCSON ARIZONA
All
Photo credits - Nancy Smith - Jones * Azflash@aol.com
Photo Gallery at www.usaindianinfo.org for Media