A cross-section of the approximately 100 ESOL and multicultural students at South Lakes High School and eight staff members were treated to an intimate, interactive, and reflective presentation by Mary Sunbeam (“Mama Mary”) of Positive Education, Inc. on March 15, 2002. The program highlighted Native American culture (especially the importance of oral traditions, language, music, dance, regalia, artifacts, and other treasures). Other topics included cultural diversity, reverence for Nature, self-esteem, teenage concerns, and the 9-11 tragedy.
Students were directly involved in all aspects of the program: planning, promotion, setting up instruments and artifacts, assisting Mama Mary, packing up after the program, asking questions, and providing feedback and insight into what they learned from the experience. More importantly, 20 students also performed during the program, taking on the roles of drummers and dancers. The pride they felt was clearly evident during the performance and during their written feedback after the show. Many of the participants were touched in a very personal way, and some expressed a new-found appreciation for indigenous cultures. Since this program was designed to impact high school students, it seems worthwhile to share some of their written responses to the show [edited slightly for grammar and spelling]:
· “I liked the stories Mama Mary told us. When we were drumming, I learned the feelings and the ideas of the Cherokee tribe.”
· “I liked when Mama Mary said you are important; also I liked when she said she knows two languages, just like us.”
· “I liked when she talked about dreams because when she talked about that, I felt in my heart a lot of love.”
· “One of the best things I learned was how to drum or to sing. I felt like I am part of the Cherokee nation.”
· “Next year when she comes again I will help her because now I know that it is not really hard to participate.”
· “I learned that violence is not the solution for fixing problems.”
· “It gave us a lot of information about the Native American culture and the religion.”
· “I liked that when she said in some cultures people don’t give respect to women, but we need to give women respect even though they belong to different parts of the world. She also said that sometime we make fun of people by calling them names and that is not fair.”
· “My favorite part was when Mama Mary gave Mr. Van Opdorp a blanket; they were sharing a moment of her culture together.”
· “I liked performing. It was a lot of fun. I learned how to dance and how to say ‘hi’ and other things in Cherokee. I learned that Native Americans are proud of their culture, we should be proud of ours, and it’s good to encourage other people.”
The presentation coincided with an American history unit on the Westward expansion and the Trail of Tears, and a Spanish class unit on music and musical instruments. Many students remarked on the similarities they observed between clothing, beadwork, drumming, and dances during the program and those from their home countries, so cross-cultural connections were made. There was a general sense that being unique or “different” is a worthwhile goal. In a written survey, 100% of the students also responded that they would like to see a similar program again and more programs like it next year at South Lakes. They also agreed unanimously that they had learned something new about Native American culture, and they appreciated Cherokee language, spirituality, artwork and craftsmanship more than before the show. They were also able to see history “come alive,” and could relate contemporary Native American culture to their own experiences as outsiders or newcomers. For all the foregoing reasons, we hope to host another program with Mama Mary and Positive Education next year.
No comments:
Post a Comment