American Indian College Fund to Honor Local Native Elders at Holiday Dinner

Denver (December 18, 2007) – The Denver-based American Indian College Fund (the Fund) will honor its Native elders in the Denver community at its eighth annual holiday dinner December 19 at the Church of All Saints, 2559 S. Federal Boulevard.

In American Indian tradition, “We hold our elders in high regard and cherish their sage direction,” says Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the Fund.  “This dinner is a small token of our appreciation for the wisdom, advice, and support of our elders. The Fund first began hosting dinners for the elder community when there were no services and no support for this special group of people.” 

The dinner includes a traditional feast of buffalo. Williams notes that when the elders were asked what they would like at the feast, they said, “what they really wanted was some buffalo.” An Indian Santa Claus will also be on hand to entertain and share gifts with the elders.  The event brings a twinkle to their eyes. “One of the elders, who has since passed away, said after Santa Claus gave him a basketball, ‘This is the happiest I have been since I was a little boy. Thank you!'” Williams says.

In addition to the American Indian College Fund, community sponsors include UMB Bank Colorado; Native American Rights Fund; Wal-Mart Store #1252 (Highlands Ranch); Native American Bank; Church of All Saints; Baldoria Cuisine; Dr. Alan Wong, DDS; Denver Indian Health & Family Services; Honeyman Envelope & Printing; IMA of Colorado; InterTribal Bison Cooperative; Native American Fish & Wildlife Society; Raytheon American Indian Network; Sonny White & Family; and Steve & Linda Sherman.