2008 Woodie Awards
section link: /news/2007/11/30/News/
headline: Powwows discussed at Soup and Substance
subheadline:
By: David Veselenak
author link: /user/index.cfm?event=displayAuthorProfile&authorid=2493772
Issue date: 11/30/07
- Page 1 of 1
Ashton Heintzelman told students Thursday afternoon powwows mean a lot more than most students think.
"You'll often hear them (Native Americans) talk about it as a heartbeat of a nation," the Mount Pleasant freshman and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians member said.
Heintzelman, the vice president of the North American Indigenous Student Organization, presented a discussion on the Native American tradition of powwows in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.
Heintzelman's presentation was part of the Soup and Substance series, in place of scheduled speaker Mount Pleasant senior Cynthia Bearhart's. Bearhart became ill and was unable to present.
More than 50 students and faculty attended the Native American Heritage Month event.
Heintzelman gave the audience a general overview of the different types of Native American dances used in powwows by men and women. One of the most exciting dances to watch is the men's fancy feather dance and the women's fancy shawl, she said.
"They are very fast, and have intricate footwork," she said. "It's appealing to the eye."
Students who attended said they appreciated the informative session on the Native American tradition.
"It was more symbolic than I thought," said Justin Walls, Clare junior.
Ludington sophomore and NAISO historian Amber Shepard said that the organization thought it would be a great presentation to display a topic most students have little knowledge about.
"We wanted to inform them of the main components of our culture," the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians member said.
In addition to the powwow dances, drums also are a big part of the ceremony.
"No matter if someone is dancing, drumming or just listening, they can connect to the spirit," Heintzelman said.
Even though the idea was to educate students and faculty about Native Americans, Heintzelman hopes students also become more aware of different races and ethnicity.
"More students should be exposed to other races," Heintzelman said.
Walls said other students should learn more about the Native American culture, especially with the relationship Central Michigan University has with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
"Students should appreciate their culture," Walls said.
news@cm-life.com
"You'll often hear them (Native Americans) talk about it as a heartbeat of a nation," the Mount Pleasant freshman and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians member said.
Heintzelman, the vice president of the North American Indigenous Student Organization, presented a discussion on the Native American tradition of powwows in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.
Heintzelman's presentation was part of the Soup and Substance series, in place of scheduled speaker Mount Pleasant senior Cynthia Bearhart's. Bearhart became ill and was unable to present.
More than 50 students and faculty attended the Native American Heritage Month event.
Heintzelman gave the audience a general overview of the different types of Native American dances used in powwows by men and women. One of the most exciting dances to watch is the men's fancy feather dance and the women's fancy shawl, she said.
"They are very fast, and have intricate footwork," she said. "It's appealing to the eye."
Students who attended said they appreciated the informative session on the Native American tradition.
"It was more symbolic than I thought," said Justin Walls, Clare junior.
Ludington sophomore and NAISO historian Amber Shepard said that the organization thought it would be a great presentation to display a topic most students have little knowledge about.
"We wanted to inform them of the main components of our culture," the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians member said.
In addition to the powwow dances, drums also are a big part of the ceremony.
"No matter if someone is dancing, drumming or just listening, they can connect to the spirit," Heintzelman said.
Even though the idea was to educate students and faculty about Native Americans, Heintzelman hopes students also become more aware of different races and ethnicity.
"More students should be exposed to other races," Heintzelman said.
Walls said other students should learn more about the Native American culture, especially with the relationship Central Michigan University has with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
"Students should appreciate their culture," Walls said.
news@cm-life.com
