by Brenda Dardar-Robichaux, Principal Chief, United Houma Nation, Raceland
We arrived in DC on Friday evening. Our method of getting around is the metro and lots of walking. We are staying with our son Josh, who lives four blocks from Union Station.
It was important for Mike (Robichaux) and I to have our 11-year-old daughter Felicite be an eyewitness to this moment in history.
My only disappointment is for our son Jason, who is a nurse at Terrebonne
General, and unable to share these experiences with us because of his work schedule.
The energy here in DC is amazing. You can feel it in the crisp, cold air.
There is a great sense of optimism in what the future will hold.
President-elect Obama’s unique background puts him in a position to understand the plight of all people., to understand that not all tribes will fit the mold required by the Federal Acknowledgement Process.
A one-size fits all does not work for tribes and it has not worked for the United Houma Nation in our efforts for federal recognition. We hear that he is interested in reforming the Federal Acknowledgement Process and possibly removing this process from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
This is very promising for the UHN since we have been in this process for almost 30 years. His pledge to hire American Indian policy advisor to senior White House staff to work with tribes gives hope to UHN and other tribes whose issues have long been ignored.
Sunday evening, we attended the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Commemoration and Realizing the Dream Awards Celebration.
The United Houma Nation is a member of Realizing the Dream’s Poverty in America network.
The UHN is honored to be a part of this initiative that carries the true meaning of Dr. King’s legacy.
Martin King, III brought together several organizations and over 1,400 volunteers to Houma to help in the aftermaths of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
He has been a true friend. The highlight of the evening for me was the Drum Major Award recognition of Rep. John Lewis, known as one of the “Big Six” leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.
Hearing him speak of his experiences with Dr. King was inspirational.
Other award recipients were Senator Edward Kennedy, Rev. Claude Black, Jr. and Daw Aung Sang Suu Kyi. The evening ended with 16-year-old singing sensation Charice Pempengco ‘s rendition of “God Bless America” bringing everyone to their feet and many of us to tears.
What a night!
Source link: houmatoday.com
Posted by GM
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Hi Charice, What do you and our president have in common? Our president did not give up until he reached his dreams and so did you. He worked hard and believed in himself and so did you. Most of all, people have been listening to our president when our president has been speaking and so did you when you have been singing.
As our president said, nothing is impossible to achieve… regardless of who you are. Charice, your potentials are infinite. Keep on going and we will be with you to your journey as the american people to his president. We love you Charice and may God bless us all.
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Dear Charice, Being an ordinary father of my only two sons, my wife and I have been longing so long to have a daughter but it looks we’re unfortunate to have one, but since you’ve joint your singing career thru ABS/CBN Little Star, really I felt that a true superstar was born and our longing or dream for a daughter come true just like your dreams it is simply because we are so happy hearing and seeing you everytime you perform as if we feel the true happiness of a couple watching you like a daughter doing so great performance of a real Artist who can convey and deliver the message of love by singing where one can’t really control their tears of joy and happiness — Perhaps that’s what really love means –You’re a Proud to all Filipinos Mabuhay ka and MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS Love from you “Parents in Dream”
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Although media exposure of her performance is meager, specially here in hollywwod, Charice will always be part of that historical event which is very significant to the world. Charice can brag this event to her children, grand Children, and most filipinos who witness the event can tell the story to the next generation to come.
Enjoy it while it last, and the journey of Charice being a star have catapulted to a new era of politics in the USA with a high note that she can only reached.
God Bless America, saw part of it in tv patrol, and she really gives new meaning to it as if Charice was a full blooded American born kid, but looking at her closer, she is only an invited guest.
what a thrill to all of us filipinos, I hope we can see the full redition of the song by her.
Conratulation Charice, and write this event in you dairy and cherished it all your life. good luck and may God be with you always.
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Charice has that effect on people whenever & wherever she performs.
GOD BLESS CHARICE & TO OUR NEW PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!!!
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