A much-anticipated part of every conference, the Closing Ceremony involves honoring the achievements of singular members of the AISES family and a delicious dinner featuring foods that have long been mainstays of local tribes. At the 2019 Closing Banquet, attendees sat down to a meal of locally sourced staples of Upper Midwestern communities featuring hominy and sweet potato soup, slow-smoked bison brisket with maple glaze, three sisters succotash, whipped celeriac and garlic potatoes, and cranberry relish with a dessert of wild berry crumb cake.
Entertainment during the Closing Banquet was provided by the multitalented Christian Takes Gun Parrish, “Supaman.†Parrish, Apsaalooke Nation, has received numerous awards for his performance art, recordings, and videos, which combine comedy, hip-hop, traditional dance, and Native and urban culture. Conference-goers of all ages responded enthusiastically to his performance, which was as uplifting and motivating as it was entertaining.
After AISES Council of Elders members Faith Spotted Eagle and Norbert Hill offered welcoming remarks and a blessing for the occasion, National Conference master of ceremonies Lillian Sparks Robinson thanked the sponsors and introduced Region 1 Representative Brook Thompson, a student at Portland State University, and Tyler Rust, a PhD candidate at SUNY Binghamton, who described their experiences with AISES.
Thompson told the story of how she got involved: “On a college tour I learned there was a club there that supports Natives in STEM. That was for me, but when I got to campus to start my freshman year, I learned that the AISES chapter members had graduated and the club was dormant. So two other students and I started it up again. We struggled, but it all came together for me at the National Conference. AISES has been so beneficial to me and given me so many relationships.â€
Rust echoed the importance of the AISES community and the relationships that follow. “Epicurious said that community equals happiness — so AISES must be happiness. AISES made me feel that I was good enough and better than good enough,†he said. “I must have potential if others in AISES can see it.â€
Recognizing exceptional members and friends of AISES is another important part of the Closing Ceremony, including the winners of the Partner Service Awards, the Ely S. Parker Award, and the Professional Awards.
Recognizing and thanking outgoing board members, retiring chair Rick Stephens and members Bill Black and Dr. John Herrington, was another important milestone, introduced by Council of Elders members Dr. Henrietta Mann and Dr. Bret Benally Thompson. Stephens noted that the conference is a place for members from all walks of life to gather and make connections. “You will go back and life will want to suck you in,†he said. “Don’t let go of the development and connections you made here. Keep these relationships the Creator has given you so you can be successful as you continue your journey.â€
Immediately following the Closing Ceremony, the popular social powwow brought together dancers of all ages, musicians, and spectators who came to appreciate the regalia and the talent of the dancers and drummers.
