After three attempts, Shuttle mission STS-113 successfully launched at 7:49 EST Saturday, Nov. 23, carrying Cmdr. John Bennett Herrington (U.S.N.) The Chickasaw astronaut eight minutes later became the first Native American in space, and two days later became the first Native American to take a space walk.
Previously, some 200 students, elders and employees from the Chickasaw Nation experienced a whirlwind, once-in-a-lifetime experience at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The group visited KSC to take part in the commemorative ceremonies that NASA hosted to honor Cmdr. Herrington.
An oxygen line leak inside Space Shuttle Endeavor forced NASA to delay the launch of STS-113. The launch will be scheduled for no earlier than Monday, Nov. 18.
While in Florida, the Chickasaw Nation citizens were special guests of NASA and Cmdr. Herrington.
"We could not have asked for more gracious hosts," Gov. Bill Anoatubby said. "Everyone at NASA made it an incredible experience that none of us will forget. Our heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who worked so hard to make this a memorable event."
Activities kicked off Saturday, Nov.9, during a welcome reception in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Cmdr. Herrington's parents, Joyce and Jim Herrington; Jerry Elliott, an Osage/Cherokee and NASA Space Shuttle Program Manager; Seminole Nation of Florida Color Guard; and the Native American Drum Group were among the guests at the reception.
Following the reception, all 200 Chickasaws traveled to KSC for a special tour of the facility and opening session dinner. "The most exciting part of the tour was seeing the space shuttle on the pad," said Lesley Wesberry a seventh grader from Tishomingo. "I saw the space shuttle and thought about how he (Cmdr. Herrington) will be the first Native American to go into space and he is part of our tribe."
Sunday's activities included a NASA-hosted symposium entitled, "Linking Education to Employment." Gov. Anoatubby was one of the opening speakers. "Education is the key for our young people," he said. "It is a very high priority to us. We work hard to educate our young people because a strong education builds independence and self-reliability."
Some of the other featured speakers include Dr. Ron McNeil, President, Sitting Bull College; Chief Philip Martin, Mississippi Choctaw Nation; Scott Hubbard, NASA Ames Research Center; Jerry Elliott for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society; and Dr. Adena Loston, Senior NASA Education Advisor.
"During the symposium, our students were exposed to some of the possibilities and opportunities available to them," Gov. Anoatubby said. "Our hope is that each of them applies what they learned to their individual needs and unique dreams."
"I was most intrigued to learn that the vision and mission of NASA are very similar to those of Native Americans. To improve life here, to extend life to there, to understand and protect our home planet, to explore the universe and search for life, and to encourage the next generation of explorers go hand in hand with Native America," said Chickasaw Nation administrator Danny Key, master of ceremonies for Sunday night's reception.
Sunday evening the Chickasaw Nation, NASA, other Native American tribes and KSC visitors from across the country joined together in the Rocket Garden for a ceremony honoring Cmdr. Herrington.
The Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe demonstrated two dances and at one point encircled Cmdr. Herrington's parents to present them with a gift. The Chickasaw Princesses performed the "Lord's Prayer", Buffy Sainte-Marie sang "America the Beautiful," and Lee Frazier, a Chickasaw elder, prayed for the safety of the astronauts.
The launch was postponed shortly after the end of the ceremony.
"Of course we were disappointed not to see the launch, but the safety of Cmdr. Herrington and the other astronauts must always be top priority, Gov. Anoatubby said. "Plus, we could not have asked for a better experience. We learned more about the importance of the international space station, about the impact of NASA in our everyday lives, we toured the space center, attended education lectures and listened to some truly great speakers. It was a wonderful opportunity and historic for Native America."
Tentatively scheduled for Nov. 18 the launch was again postponed for Nov. 22.
For the Friday, Nov. 22 launch opportunity, the Chickasaw Nation was connected live via satellite to Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral to host "Countdown to Endeavor" at Ada's McSwain Theater.
Entertainment included the musical stylings of Tabitha Fair and David Ballard. Ms. Fair began singing in church at the age of five. She recorded her first gospel record at 11 and the second when she was 15. After moving to Nashville, she began performing with artists such as Amy Grant, Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton and Vince Gill. Earning such recognitions as Best Background Vocalist of the Year (1997-98) by Nashville Area Music Awards, Ms. Fair has shared the stage with Bruce Hornsby, Jewel, Kenny G. and performed for all the living presidents at the Volunteer Summit.
Another special feature of the event was a question and answer session with astronaut Paul Richards. Richards was selected by NASA in 1996 and supported various assignments before being assigned to fly in space on March 8, 2001, aboard Discovery mission, STS-102. It was the eighth shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. In total, he has spent 307 hours and 49 minutes in space.
There was also a special video presentation featuring the life of Pioneering Chickasaw aviatrix Pearl Carter-Scott.
Legendary aviator Wiley Post taught Mrs. Scott to fly when she was 12. In 1928, at 13, she was the youngest person in the United States to obtain a pilot's license.
She spent several years as a stunt pilot performing in "air circuses" across the country before going to work for the Chickasaw Nation as a Community Health Representative and later serving in the tribal legislature. Her many honors include induction into the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame; the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame in 1995; and special recognition of her lifetime accomplishments by the Oklahoma legislature earlier this year.
Ceremonies also included a presentation of the "Lord's Prayer" by the Chickasaw Princesses, a demonstration by the award-winning Chickasaw Dance Troupe, the NASA film: History of Space and more.
While inclement weather at an alternate emergency landing site in Spain postponed the launch once again, a video of the events celebrating the historic occasion will be available soon on the Chickasaw Nation Web site, www.chickasaw.net.
