Soccer team hosts Native heritage night

The Los Angeles Galaxy hosted Native American Heritage Night September 18 at the Home Depot Center to celebrate California Indian Day. Ron Andrade reports on what happened:Friends:

I want to give you a report regarding our special American Indian Day Celebration organized by the Galaxy professional soccer team, September 18.

We want to express our sincere appreciation to our tribal and corporate sponsors who made the day special:

Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and the very best corporate sponsor, Coca-Cola Company.

We had Indian singers and dancers before the game in the special performance area inside the ballpark.

We were very honored to have an American Indian Color Guard sponsored by the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians to begin the game.

We were especially honored to have Joe Morris, Navajo Code Talker, 83 years old and Louis Andrade, Luiseno, WW2 veteran, 93 years old join the Color Guard on the ball field.

We had a total of 903 people who came to the game and we distributed 500 tote bags. We had many children including some who worked as water carriers for the Galaxy team during the game.

And we were able to host children from the Indian Child Welfare Unit as our guests.

It was truly a special night.

And we especially want to thank the Galaxy Soccer team and organization for offering us this day to celebrate Native American Heritage Night. It was their idea, their effort, and their contribution to the Indian community that made this possible.Comment:  For more on the subject, see 12th Annual California Native American Day.