11th Indian Inaugural Ball

Indian Country descends on DC for Obama inaugurationThe big celebration takes place tomorrow, after Obama is sworn in as president. Upwards of 3,000 tickets have been sold to the 11th American Indian Inaugural Ball, making it likely the largest in the organization's history.

"It is an exciting time for us to celebrate the new administration and Indian Country’s sovereign relationship to it," said Michael Nephew, a member of the Seneca Nation of New York who serves as president of AIS.

The ball features a star-studded lineup of entertainment, representing tribes in the U.S. and First Nations in Canada Over a dozen performers, including Keith Secola, Gary Farmer and Joanne Shenandoah, will take the stage in a in a concert sponsored by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

AIS is also honoring LaDonna Harris, a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, and Mitchell Bush, a member of the Onondaga Nation of New York, at the ball. The two national Indian leaders will be presented with the Lifetime Legacy Award.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Native Musicians at the Inaugural and Indians in Obama's Inaugural.