EDITORIAL: More than just song and dance
Annual pow wow an opportunity for education
As the 26th annual Celebrating Life Pow Wow took place on campus during the weekend, students, faculty and community members had the chance to do more than spectate.
More than entertainment, the annual pow wow is an opportunity for the Central Michigan University community to learn about the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal culture they are surrounded by.
It is an opportunity that should not be missed. If we are going to wear, display and cheer the Chippewa name at sporting events, we have a duty to understand and respect the people and culture it represents.
The reservation was established in 1855 and is an integral part of the university and surrounding community.
CMU partners with the Tribe on many initiatives, from summer sports camps run by athletes and a mentoring program for tribal youth, to education and training for all Athletics Department staff and student athletes.
The pow wow is organized by CMU's student-run Pow Wow Committee, and serves to further strengthen the relationship between the Tribe and university, bringing members and students together under one roof for celebration.
The largest strength of the pow wow lies in its ability to educate non-Native people and create deeper understanding between the Tribe and CMU community.
All too often, non-Native people are presented with inaccurate portrayals of Native Americans such as Disney's Pochahontas, or negative examples, such as the Washington Redskins mascot, to base their opinions on.
By being presented with song, dance and regalia all traditional to the Saginaw Chippewa people at the pow wow, students and others are given a look at their true history and culture, unaltered by non-Native interpretation.
With so many negative stereotypes pervading our society, it would be a shame not to take advantage of an annual event that dispels those assumptions and fosters understanding and unity.
It is especially important for those involved in the sports culture at CMU to seek to educate themselves on the history of the tribe. Each tribe related to a sports team, collegiate or otherwise, differs in their opinion of what is acceptable when representing them.
At CMU, for example, it is permissible to use the Chippewa name, but not to have a mascot. Florida State University, on the other hand, has an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida which allows them to continue using a Native American mascot.
It is imperative for students and community members to understand the rules behind the use of our Native nickname so as to pay the people it represents the respect they deserve.
If we are going to claim to be "Chippewas," we should have a basic understanding of what that really means or risk misrepresenting an entire culture.
