A big thank you to all who submitted nominations for the AISDC Distinguished Service Award and the Outstanding Club Member Award. The nominees were voted on at the July 12, 2023 general membership meeting. A well deserved congratulations to the nominees and the recipients. You are all shining stars!
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD is given to someone who supports and works for Indigenous causes, i.e., protecting sacred sites, MMIP, legislative issues, culture and language preservation, food sustainability, education, etc. Persons nominated for this category do not have to be an AISDC member.
The 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient is Ralph Zotigh!
“Ralph Zotigh has been a promoter of Native American dance and culture even though he has lived away from his Kiowa homelands for many decades. He is one of the people who started the World Hoop Dance competition that is still going on. He has traveled the world sharing his knowledge of Native American songs and dance. In the past 16 months he has brought singers to the Zotigh Singers that had never sang with a drum before. He also been teaching young children at the singing practices for the Zotigh Singers. In addition he brought his drum and held singing lessons at the AIS Cultural nights before COVID. He even brought hand games to these social events. He is called upon to sing for numerous meetings and conventions that are held in town. He truly stands for the AIS value of cultural preservation through singing“. Michael Nephew, 1st VP AISDC.
OUTSTANDING CLUB MEMBER AWARD is given to a current AISDC member in good-standing who has provided service and consistent support which contributed to our mission and focus over the last year.
2023 Outstanding Club Member Award goes to A’lice Myers-Hall & Sandra Hope!
“I am nominating 2 incredible women. Both have worked hard and in an unfailing manner to keep AIS running and moving forward“. Sheila Hansen, 2nd VP AISDC.
“Sandy has consistently supported AISDC with her her talents and time. She truly is a Jill of all trades“. Arletha Blackwell, AISDC Champion.