Newsletter - University of Wisconsin

Newsletter
Dec. 8, 2010
The Newman Collection
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Newman
Adin Newman, grandfather of
1925. He purchased such items as
Peter Newman, began collecting Indian dresses, purses, moccasins, and other
artifacts from South Dakota in the early beaded items, as well as various arrows
20th century. Through contact with the and pipes. The Newman family continJohnson Brothers General Merchan-
ued to write letters to the Beard family
dise Store, Adin eventually met Mr.
throughout the next few years, exchang-
Dewey Beard, who was Lakota and is
ing gifts for money, and meeting occa-
also known as Iron Hail. In an inter-
sionally. In the 1960s, the Newman’s
view conducted by AIS, Newman remi- allowed the University of Wisconsin Eau
nisced over pictures of himself as a
Claire to house a portion of the collec-
young boy. Dewey was one of the few
tion of cultural items. The collection was
survivors of the 1890 Wounded Knee
once on displayed in Schneider, and is
Massacre, where he lost most of his
now in the display cases around the AIS
family. He was also involved at the Bat- office (HHH150). There is also a portle of Little Big Horn. Adin Newman
tion of the collection being housed at the
began purchasing various artifacts,
Chippewa Valley Museum. The collec-
some of which belonged to Dewey
tion consists of items from Lakota,
Beard, sometime around the spring of
Ojibwa, Pomo, and other Native
cultures. The AIS office is leading a project in
was genuinely interested in what I had to say and
progress to find out more detailed information
many gave me advice on how to get into my de-
about each piece, as well as plans to display the
sired field after school. JP Leary even offered to
items in the new Student Center. Each piece has
give me advice when choosing a graduate pro-
its own history we hope to display along with
gram when the time comes. I really enjoyed
each item. If you wish to assist with this project,
hanging out with some down to earth people who
please visit the AIS office.
made me feel like a friend instead of just another
First Nations Traveling Institute
student.”
Visits Campus
After the lunch break JP Leary, Education
The First Nations Traveling Institute was a Consultant for the WI Department of Public Inmultifaceted presentation about a range of racial
struction’s American Indian Studies Program,
and cultural issues relating to Native Americans
presented issues of stereotypes and ignorance in
that took place October 26th. It included a one-
the state of Wisconsin’s education system. He
woman play, a discussion afterwards, lunch with
showed some examples of inappropriate images
the crew, and two informative presentations
and ethnocentric viewpoints found in school cur-
about stereotypes and education.
riculum. He also outlined suggestions for creating
The play was called Kick, a one-act, one-
lesson plans and integrating Indian “history, cul-
woman play starring DeLanna Studi, (niece of fa- ture, and tribal sovereignty” into Wisconsin edumous Indian actor Wes Studi) that confronts issues of Indian stereotypes in the context of a high
cation.
We would like to thank the First Nations
school with an Indian mascot. Studi plays a Na-
Traveling Institute for bringing their outstanding
tive American high school student, the girl’s
program to the University of Wisconsin, Eau
mother, grandmother, sister, principal, friend, a
Claire. Students and Eau Claire community mem-
newscaster, a football coach, and a jock. Students bers really enjoyed the play, and Leary’s presenwho attended the play said the award-winning
tation on Wisconsin curriculum was an exem-
actress is worthy of all the critical acclaim she has plary resource for educators.
received. Some audience members were moved to
tears by the emotionally charged performance.
KICK Has a Powerful Message!
I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I
Our luckiest AIS student, Jenna Vater, was headed over to the Davies Theater to watch the .
invited to dinner with the FNTI staff after attend- play Kick, as I have seen one-actor plays before
ing the lunch and discussion events. Jenna said
and quite honestly, one not only has to be a very
she really enjoyed the experience. She shared her good actor to pull it off, but the script has to be
excitement with the newsletter staff: “Everyone
solid as well. To put it mildly, I was blown away.
DeLanna Studi is an extremely talented actor and
her performance was fearless and captivating.
She played a host of characters which al-
As I walked across campus on my way back
to Hibbard Hall , I couldn’t help but to think
about what I took away as the main message of the
lowed her to weave patches of humor seamlessly
play; if a group of people claim that something is
throughout a very serious subject: using Native
offensive, that should be enough. It’s a matter of re-
American logos and mascots in sports. The main
spect. I’d like to think that most people can under-
character is Grace Green, a Native American high stand that.
school student/runner. A host of supporting char-
AIS Student Advisory Board!!
acters included Graces’ son Charlie, her grand-
mother, her sister, her coach, her best friend, and There is an exciting opportunity for all of you to imthe school Principle. This diverse group of charac- pact your education as an AIS major/minor at
ters in the hands of such a talented actor expertly
UWEC. As of right now we are recruiting students
shined a light on the mascot controversy from
to serve on our AIS Program Advisory Board. The
several different perspectives in a very effective
board will be meeting with Dr. Wendy Geniusz at
manner. The story takes place in the week leading least once a month to discuss student concerns,
up to and including Homecoming. Amidst the
ideas, and visions for the AIS program. In order to
mascot controversy, she finds herself compelled
be eligible to serve on this board you must be an AIS
to speak up on behalf of the Native American
major/minor and submit an interest paragraph to
community, and fellow Native students. Despite
(vamaisai@uwec.edu). In this paragraph you must
the fact that Grace speaks with her Principal on
include:
the issue, and addresses the school board, the
board decides to keep the mascot. So she gives an
interview to a local TV stations’ field reporter
(also played by Studi) which gets her into hot water with the schools straight laced and stern faced
Principle. Disillusioned and out of options, she
decides to hold a silent protest at the Homecoming football game. To her surprise and delight, she
is joined by her sister, friends, and many of her
fellow students. As the play closed I was left
Why you are interested on serving on the advisory board
Previous advisory experience
Ideas/goal/vision for AIS program
Why you would be the best candidate for this position
Once you submit your paragraph, the AIS Program
Committee will review your submission and there
will be a follow up interview. All submission will by
due by mid February. Please direct questions to the
AIS office.
Congratulations Jenna Vater!
somewhat stunned. I had been led through a maze Jenna was appointed to serve on the Council for Asof emotions, and I felt blessed to have seen such a sessing and Advancing Student Learning (CAASL).
powerful performance in a play that dealt with a
There will be more information on the CAASL in the
real life hot button issue.
next newsletter.
News and Announcements
Dismantling Racism Workshop:
A unique opportunity to change the world
Open to all UWEC Students, Staff, and Faculty
January 13-14, 2011
9am—5pm
Come help us celebrate with our graduates!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
AIS Office
Presidents Room, Davies Center, UWEC
Hibbard 150
RSVP ASAP to Kathy LaValley
(College of Arts & Sciences)
lavallkg@uwec.edu
Sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences
11am-1:00pm
Please RSVP
Mai Sai Vang - vamaisai@uwec.edu
(So we know how much food to order)
Introducing an Exciting New AIS course!!
It’s an Online Course with 3 on campus meetings!
(Feb. 12th, Mar. 12th, & Apr. 30th)
AIS 374—Ojibwe Women, Eco-feminism, and Botanical knowledge.
“For every problem a person can have in this life, there is a plant that can help.”
In this course students learn about the life long association of Anishinaabe women
and plants of their environment, how plants surround their lives, and how they interact with plants on physical, spiritual, and metaphysical levels.
SIGN UP NOW!!!
Congratulations Amanda Lonsdorf!!
Her Design Won the AIS Department T-Shirt Design Contest!!
Show Your Support!!!
Check back next semester to find out how to get your AIS T-Shirt!!!