A team of Native American dancers who are also Army Soldiers marched in the New York City Veterans Day parade as a color guard.  Unlike the military custom they are all accustomed to, they did so in Native American dress.                                        

The team consists of Colorado Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Cindy Darrington of the 89th Troop Command; Staff Sgt. Toni Eaglefeathers, an activated Reservist from Fort Carson, Colo.; retired Sgt. 1st Class Mitchelene Bigman and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Julia Kelly. 

The group of Native American women met while working for 1st Mobilization Brigade at Fort Carson, Colo.   

The dance team formed to perform and compete at powwow events.  The fact that they were all Army Soldiers led them to make red, white and blue dress adorned with military rank, combat patches and the American flag.  

Almost two years ago, the patriotic theme of their Native American dresses caught the attention of one of the tribal elders and they were asked to perform as color guard at a powwow opening ceremony.  Since then, they have served as a color guard for more than 20 powwows.

The New York City parade was their first parade. 

 They marched in the parade and posted the colors in Times Square during the “Band of Pride Tribute” performance Nov. 10th.  This performance involved student bands honoring veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project by participating in the parade and performing together in the middle of Times Square. 

“I was really honored to be part of the parade, and to be able to meet veterans of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Navajo Code Talkers. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Darrington. 

For the parade, the troupe was performed a Jingle Dress Dance. the presence of numerous small bells sewn into their dresses was the most noticeable part of the performance.

 The jingle dress is a healing dress and the dance originates from an Ojibway legend.  The dance and the dress appeared to an Objibway medicine man in a recurring dream.  The medicine man showed his wife the dance, and together they created several dresses.  Women performing the dance were able to heal the medicine man’s sick granddaughter.  

The  group will continue to perform as a color guard team and are currently trying to expand the Native American Women Warrior Society by recruiting other Native American women veterans who are interested in becoming part of their group.  The group members plan on and are looking forward to participating in next year’s parade.