A cross-section of the approximately 110 ESL students at South Lakes High School and members of the South Lakes International Club for Education/Entertainment (or SLICE ) were treated to an intimate, interactive, and reflective presentation by Mary Sunbeam ("Mama Mary") of Positive Education, Inc. on May 3, 2001. 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 personal empowerment. 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, 17 students also performed during the program, taking on the roles of drummer, dancer or storyteller, respectively. 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 dance and their clothes and how they made them. I also learned how to say "hello" in Cherokee.”
· “I learned that Native Americans like to tell stories. And I learned I need to respect others. And that we are important.”
· “I learned how to do the hunter’s dance. I liked the drum. I never saw one like that before. It was big and made of animal skin. I am impressed how Mama Mary looks.”
· “I like how she played the flute. I learned how to say some words in Cherokee.”
· “Everything comes from a circle. Listen to your parents, teachers, and elders.”
· “I like how she says the truth. I liked when she taught us the dance. I liked when she told everybody not to laugh at people."
· “One of the things I really liked was when Mary told us about a hero, Mahatma Gandhi, who stopped a war [and got freedom] without fighting.”
· “I learned how to play the drum. I learned how to listen and pay attention to older people.”
· “I learned not to tease people. It makes them nervous and shy. I loved the flower with the light.”
· “I learned sign language, things about nature, respect for other people. I liked the whole show.”
The presentation took place approximately one month after our school-wide multicultural festival on March 30. Many students remarked on the similarities they observed between the clothing, beadwork, drumming, and dances from the Cherokee culture 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 that they appreciated Cherokee art work 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, Inc. next year.
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