Anthony Lett performs a dance during the Fort Gordon command Native American heritage program Nov. 21 in Alexander Hall. Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Chipa Wolfe's main objective during the Nov. 21 Native American Indian Heritage Month Command Program was to draw a line between Hollywood and realty.

"Indian people have all been stereotyped in many ways," said Wolfe, who along with four additional Native American Indians, educated and entertained during the program.

The drum beat used by Native Americans is a simple one. It's a singular rhythm.

"It represents the heartbeat of the Earth mother," he said. "We dance and sing with it. It's always a steady beat."

The Atlanta Braves tomahawk chant is not a traditional rhythm, he said.

Some of the dances performed had stories attached to them.

The grass dance was performed in the Plains states as people pressed down the tall grasses in order to build their homes.

While most dances have a theme, Katrina Fisher demonstrated one that was strictly for fun.

Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Katrina Fisher performs a hoop dance during the Fort Gordon command Native American heritage celebration Nov. 21 in Alexander Hall. "The hoop dance came about in the 1900s during reservation times," Wolfe said.

"It's pretty spectacular."

Wolfe said other misconceptions are they all live in tepees and wear the garb they wore for the performance Friday. He said he's often asked what Native American Indians want to be called,

"Indians, Native Americans, Native American Indians are all incorrect," he said.

The names of the different tribes such as Cherokee, Cree and Mohawk were given them by other tribes, he said. The names they called themselves were often the word in their native tongue which meant "people."

And the final myth Wolfe dispelled is that Indians greet by raising a hand and saying "how."

"If you don't come up to us and say that, we won't say Semper Fidelis," he said.