Military officers from around the world got a dose of American Indian culture Tuesday.
A group of 90 senior officers from 79 countries spent the day at Haskell Indian Nations University, meeting with students and faculty.
Dustina Edmo-Abrahamson, a Shoshone from Idaho, answers a question posed by Bayarmagnai Byambasuren, an officer in the Mongolian military, during a Tuesday luncheon where Haskell Indian Nations University students served as hosts. The officers are students in the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
"How do you say 'I love you'?" one of the officers jokingly asked Dustina Edmo-Abrahamson, a blushing Haskell Indian Nations University student, during a lively luncheon program.
Abrahamson, a Shoshone in full regalia, and student co-host, Myron Dewey, a Paiute, explained that while tribal languages have expressions of affection, there is no exact translation for "I love you."
Other officers all of them curious asked about the eagle feather in Abrahamson's hair and about how Indians greet one another. Several had their pictures taken beside Abrahamson.
The officers are students in a year-long series of classes at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
Tuesday marked the class' first visit to Haskell, a field trip in conjunction with their studies of American history.
"We're here to broaden the cultural experience they receive while they're in the U.S.," said Maj. Jack Hensley, operations officer for the class.
"I've had a lot of positive comments on today's visit," he said.
The officers return to their native countries in June.
Throughout the day, the officers took part in presentations on tribal customs and languages, sovereignty, HINU history and common misperceptions.
"It's a privilege to be able to have them here and to provide them with information," HINU President Karen Swisher said.
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