CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Indian Commission will honor four Nevadans for their contributions to the American Indian community at 5 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City. The American Indian Achievement Awards Banquet and Silent Auction is now in its fifth year and is the first statewide effort to recognize people in the state who have positively influenced the lives of American Indians.
“Each award recipient has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to preserving the American Indian community throughout the state of Nevada,” Gov. Brian Sandoval said. “It is my pleasure to celebrate their contributions and honor the excellent work they do to build strong, vibrant communities.”
Gov. Sandoval has proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month. Richard Arnold, Nevada Indian Commission chairman, said the purpose of the Nov. 15 event is twofold.
“This event reminds us of the contributions of four outstanding Nevadans from our tribal communities who bring so much to the state’s history and heritage,” Arnold said. “An added bonus is that this event helps raise funds to support the preservation of the historic Stewart Indian School in Carson City.”
The Stewart Indian School was an off-reservation boarding school in operation from 1890 to 1980.
Ticket to the event cost $55 or $500 for a table of 10. Sponsorship and ticket information is available at http://www.stewartindianschool.com/stewart-awards.html. For more information on the Nevada Indian Commission and/or the awards banquet, visit www.nic.nv.gov. For more information on the Stewart Indian Cultural Center, visit www.StewartIndianSchool.com, call 755-687-8333 or email to [email protected].
Here are this year’s award winners and the award categories:
- Aletha Tom, chairwoman for the Moapa Band of Paiutes — American Indian Community Leader of the Year
- Paula Smith, juvenile probation officer, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California — American Indian Youth Services/Role Model of the Year
- Calista Cruz, student, Coral Academy in Reno — American Indian Youth Ambassador of the Year
- Ben Rupert, firefighter, city of Reno Fire Department — Contributor and Supporter of the Year
“The awards banquet continues to celebrate the extraordinary leadership and achievements of Nevadans working in and for Indian Country,” Sherry Rupert, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission, said. “The event is a great way to celebrate these individuals and to celebrate American Indian Heritage Month.”
Members of the Nevada Indian Commission selected the 2014 award recipients. The mission of the Nevada Indian Commission is to ensure the well-being of American Indians statewide through development and enhancement of the government-to-government relationship between the state of Nevada and Indian tribes, and through education for a greater cultural understanding of the state’s first citizens. The commission was established in 1965 to be the conduit between the governor and the 27 federally recognized Nevada tribes.
