News & Updates
Pow Wow Brings New Perspective to North Hennepin Community College ~ Ana Davis
Flashing feathers, whirling colors, twirling footsteps, pounding drumbeats…welcome to North Hennepin Community College’s first traditional Pow Wow, held on the Brooklyn Park, MN campus. The November 14, 2009 celebration
of Native American culture, which drew visitors from across the Twin Cities, was the result of months of careful planning and a reflection of the college’s dedication to diversity.
“It was a dream come true for all the people involved,” said Shelly Siegel, TRIO Director and co-chair, with AEDV faculty Gerry Huerth, of the Pow Wow committee, which included college employees and students, as well as members of the surrounding Native American community. “We are so happy it was such a successful event and I personally was moved beyond words.”
Crossing Cultural Boundaries
The day-long event included traditional dances and giveaways, a huge feast for guests, and music from American Indian drum band Pipestone, of Hayward, Wisconsin. For NHCC’s truly diverse population, which includes many Hmong, African and Arabic students; the Pow Wow was their first introduction to Native American culture and people.
“I really did enjoy the Pow Wow,” said Benedict Doe, who originally hails from Liberia. “It was my first time to attend such an event in the United States. I was surprised when I saw the Native American people dressed in their regalia with long bird feathers in their headdresses, because it reminded me of my
traditional dance, the Jumayee. This dance is popular in the south eastern part of Liberia, and was used to neutralize the boundary disputes between two tribes. The experience at the Pow Wow made me think of my village, and gave me a broader sense of the culture here.” Creative Writing student Paula Phongsavath agreed. “This experience is good because it opens your eyes to different cultures,” she said. “You do not know what is out there unless you experience it. The Pow Wow showed me how proud Native Americans are their culture.”
Increased Awareness
The idea behind the Pow Wow was to reach out to, and increase awareness of, the local Native American community with a festivity that could be enjoyed by all. A series of American Indian education events, including film screenings, art projects, book clubs, talks, and a presentation on the imprisoned Native American activist Leonard Peltier, preceded the Pow wow, deepening students’ comprehension of America’s often misunderstood and misrepresented indigenous people. “This quadrant of the Twin Cities has one of the largest populations of Indians, but the number of students at our college doesn’t reflect this,” said Academic Advisor Michael Birchard, who is of Eastern Cherokee descent. “We wanted to raise awareness, as there is unfamiliarity with this culture, and encourage students, faculty, and staff to be part of a wider Indian education program. We also wanted to convince each culture to trust the other.” The newly formed Native American Nations Association student group will continue these aims, with speakers and events planned on campus this spring, including a visit by acclaimed American Indian activist Russell Means, and Earth Day activities.
Honoring Difference
For members of the college and local community, including many Native Americans, the Pow Wow was a wonderful opportunity to observe, discover, and honor difference, while sharing the universal love of food, dancing and music.
“Watching my fellow workers learn about my culture has been very emotional and rewarding,” said NHCC Office Administrative Assistant Nickie Carlson, a Flandreau Santee Sioux from South Dakota. “It’s a culture that’s so poorly understood, and often shoved under the carpet. With the Pow Wow, the college has really opened its heart to the native community. It feels good to be acknowledged, and makes us feel even more proud of who we are. It’s a privilege to work at a place where I get to enjoy my heritage and teach others about it.” Final year student Lorri Wermter agrees. “The Pow Wow brought so many different communities together. I am so fortunate to have been a student at NHCC this semester, because I learned so much about Native American culture and history that was never taught at high school. Thank you to everyone who made the Pow Wow happen. May future students have the same opportunity as I did.” Ana Davis is an English Faculty member at North Hennepin Community College. She also reports on Native American culture, arts, history and politics in Wisconsin, and strongly believes in the American Indian philosophy of respecting Mother Earth. Ana is looking forward to teaching Native American Literature at NHCC this fall. She can be reached at ana.davis@nhcc.edu or 763-424-0961. For more information about the Native American Nations Association student group at North Hennepin Community College, please contact Pam McBroom on 763-488-0498 or email pmcbroom@nhcc.edu.
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Photos in this article by photographer Kevin Kleven, Copyright Protected.
Banner Graphic: www.firstpeople.us
