USDA Rural Development along with The Walker River Paiute Tribe (WRPT) scheduled a Resource Fair to accompany the Completion Ceremony of their newly constructed Four Seasons Fireworks Building. The Completion Ceremony and Resource Fair took place on September 17, 2010 in Schurz, Nevada. The new 60x40 steel structure replaced an old 40 foot container. The WRPT Housing Force Account Crew did an amazing job constructing the new building. The new fireworks store was funded in part by a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant, funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
The day’s celebration started with the posting of our nation’s colors by the all Indian Ladies Auxiliary Post 6825. That was followed by a beautiful Paiute Flag Song sung by Mya Murphy of the Walker River Paiute Tribe and an opening prayer done by Walker River Tribal Chairman Lorren Sammaripa. Leslie Williams, WRPT Economic Development Coordinator spoke about all of the people involved in accomplishing this goal in the short amount of time they had and the outstanding job everyone did. Leslie also introduced some of the Tribal Council that was in attendance.
USDA Rural Development State Director Sarah Adler started off with congratulating the WRPT for their great accomplishment and she then honored the Tribe by presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to the Tribal Chairman for all the Tribes’wonderful success. After a few kind words from their distributor, Debbie “BlackCat” Gord, and a daytime fireworks display, the ceremony concluded with Lorren Sammaripa doing the honors and cutting the red ribbon so we could all get inside and eat, because some days are good days to tan and others are good days to eat barbeque.
Ms. Wiliams had requested that USDA Rural Development also hold a Resource Fair to introduce Tribal members to the agency’s services. Amongst USDA employees were Sarah Adler, State Director, Michelle Kelly, Laura Melara, Cheryl Couch, Zeeta Augello, Jenny Taylor, John Nelson, Mark Williams, and Grant Allen. Also participating were partners in renewable energy Jeff Karhohs and Chris Curtis, as well as Randy Emm, Cooperative Extension Native American Agriculture Specialist.
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