The Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) at the Atlantis celebrated Native American culture through traditional teachings and storytelling.
One of its facilitators says the event builds community and helps break the cycle of generational trauma.
"[Trauma]'s passed on to our children or our grandchildren," says Gary Neumann, "And they're born and they don't know why they're angry ... why they're restless ... why they don't feel like they belong anywhere."
Neumann adds that children feel this, "Because our ancestors and our families didn't have a chance to heal that trauma. So, they carried it inside and passed it on."
GONA offered traditional teachings, storytelling, and cultural activities. For one of those activities, attendees were divided into clans, and each clan came up with a name, symbol, cheer and banner.
Neumann says each banner depicts "What broke apart our Indian world, whether it's in the symbol or world, boarding schools, colonization, all of those things."
The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony will keep these banners and display them as a reminder of the community's work.
Other activities include the 'Wall of Stars', where people have their picture taken, and then people can leave positive affirmations on a sheet of paper with the photo on it.
The 'generosity table' lets people leave gifts for others.
"Everyone will get to take something home that someone else made," Neumann says. "People say, 'I can't make anything. I'm not good at making anything.' But when you look at that table, it's very creative."
Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center helped host the event. Its director, Angie Wilson, says GONA showcased how tight-knit the native community is.
"All of the neighboring tribes from this area have been in attendance," Wilson says. "A lot of these families are related. Our communities are tied together. It's been amazing to see the turnout and the collaboration."
The event centered on four traditional native values: belonging for young children, mastery for adolescents, interdependence for adults, and generosity for elders.
Organizers say they hope this event is the first of many annual gatherings.
