Madison Roy-Mercer performs with the Naa Kahidi Dancers at a ceremony to honor elders. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo).

Madison Roy-Mercer performs with the Naa Kahidi Dancers at a ceremony to honor elders. (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo).

On Saturday (11-15-14), over 70 elders were the guests of honor at a shared meal at Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House. The program included performances from Mt. Edgecumbe dance groups, stories by Bob Sam and Chuck Miller, and a presentation of gift baskets to elders. Tom Young III and Ray Nielsen were the main providers of the traditional meal of venison stew (with smoked deer ribs) and herring egg salad.

Gift baskets included salmon berries, tea, seaweed, and a guide to traditional foods. (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)

Maria Guthrie, Darlene Carroll, and Anne Johnson (l to r) each received elder gift baskets, which included salmonberries, seaweed, and a guide to traditional foods. (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)

The community gathering marked the mid-point of Native Heritage Awareness Month, with the theme "Honoring Our Elders." (Emily Kwong/KCAW photo)

The community gathering marked the mid-point of Native Heritage Awareness Month, with the theme “Honoring Our Elders.” (Mike Hicks/KCAW photo)