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Native American dancers to perform Saturday
1116NativeDancers
Jonathan, Tashina, Wanona, Shania and Tirstan Wheeler will bring their Navajo traditions at 2 p.m. Saturday at Uncommon Grounds. - photo by Patty Leon

In honor of Native American month, the Wanona Wheeler family will display its Native American traditions with a dance program at 2 p.m. Saturday at Uncommon Grounds, 110 S. Commerce St. in Hinesville.

Wheeler grew up in the Navajo reservation in New Mexico and Arizona, but moved away as a child. Periodically, Wheeler traveled home and embraced the tribal traditions she learned from her grandmother and has passed on to her children: Jonathan, Tashina, Shania and Tirstan

The family will hold a pow-wow and demonstrate various dances that describe the passing of age for boys and girls. The Wheelers also will have traditional Native American breads and handmade jewelry.

Some of the dresses have been passed from generation to generation. Wanona Wheeler’s beaded necklace is nearly half a century old and was handed down from her grandmother.

Wheeler said keeping family traditions alive is something she hopes her children will continue.

“It really makes a difference to teach the children that even though we are far from home, we still have our heritage,” she said.

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