We are a very visible and viable part of the Bay Area Native American Community. We were extremely honored when the California State University, Hayward's Hilltop Powwow Committee choose Lynn Marie Embry-Nimmer (Black & Tslagi) as the 1995 Head Girl/Young Woman Dancer at the age of fifteen. She was the first Black Native American in the Bay Area to be chosen as a Head Dancer. Additionally, in 1977, Don 'Little Cloud' Davenport was chosen Headman Dancer for the Hilltop Powwow as well. We will forever cherish this honor.

The BNAA won a " Special Recognition Award" at the 1994 Annual Black Cowboy Parade in Oakland, CA and performed traditional intertribal dances during a Black History Month celebration. We were among the presenters at the La Pena Cultural Center benefit for the Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow in 1995 and participated in an Indigenous Peoples presentation at the Oakland Museum in February of 1996.

From October 12 through November 18, 1996 we were included in an exhibit titled "Native Americans: What Are We Doing Today" at the Oakland Public Library.

We have been featured twice in the Oakland Tribune Newspaper, first as " Black Native Americans Learn 'Hidden' heritage," secondly (in October 12, l998) entitled " Common Ground." We also co-sponsored the music group, Ulalli, to perform at the New Upper Room in Oakland, CA.

We've been included in literary anthologies such as "The Native American Experience" and "Black Indians: A Pictorial Essay of a Secret Heritage" in a film documentary by Maligned Maynord entitled "Real Indians" shown at the 21st American Indian Film Festival, and in a video film, "Re-Memories" currently under production by Suresha Hill of Novato, CA.

Two of our founders, Bonita Roxie Aleja Sizemore and Don Little Cloud, were recipients of the National Bojack Humanitarian and Lifetime Achievement Award at the Southern California Motion Picture Council's Award Ceremony, Studio City, CA.

Additionally, on February 28 1999 Zenobia Emery-Nimmer, Bonita Roxie Aleja Sizemore and Don Little Cloud, received the Bo Jack Hollywood and the Stars award for their outstanding contributions as inspirational leaders and role models for both Native and non-Native Americans, given in the memory of Buddy Joe.

We have also participated at various colleges including: · Holy Names, Oakland, CA: Native American Spirituality · Solano Community College, March 27, 1999 : Booker T. Washington Day · Marin Community College, April 14, 1999: "crossing over into the new millennium - bridging our cultural diversity "

On March 17-19, 1999, three artist from our group: Queen T'hisha, Thomas Phinnesses and Micah Fitzpatrick art works were featured at the " YOU & ME" Multi Cultural & Multi Ethnic Art Exposition which was held a U-C Berkeley's Martin Luther King Building's Tan & Oak Room. The event was sponsored by Doug Howerton , Artistic Director, I - Pride Representative.

In October 1998 we enlisted Radmilla Cody, Miss Navajo Nation'97-'98, to serve as Head Woman Dancer at the Berkeley, California, Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration.

An eleven-year-old Black Native American girl who lives in a foster home may best provide a small example of the importance of groups like this. After her foster mother brought her to a Pow Wow, where she interacted with us and the youth in our group, she exclaimed, "Now I don't have to dance alone anymore." We were and are humbled by her remark which validates the importance of us fulfilling our responsibilities as the Seventh Generation-for all of our relations.