More Comments 2007 - Mama Mary Sunbeam

We were able to collaborate with the art department this year, and Matt Ravenstahl (a visual arts and IB teacher) was especially helpful in this respect.  After the program he wrote:  “I actually quite enjoyed the experience.  I felt it broke down barriers a bit by kids having to adjust to the awkwardness etc… I thought the message was great, particularly the origins of the hand shake, and the phrase ‘I recognize your ancestors’ really struck a chord with me.  I particularly noticed some of your students looking at me and in a normal context they would look away when I looked back.  However, in this context they would allow eye contact and a smile.  I felt the foundation for trust was laid by me being there and participating.”

Mama Mary’s final theme related to building self-confidence and pride among all of the participants in the room.  Most people left with a smile on their face and a positive attitude as evidenced by some of the comments below:

 I liked everything about Mama Mary.  She was so funny.  I love you, Mama Mary…I also learned one word in her language (Cherokee).  The word is “wado” and that means “thank you.”  (Reham, Sudan)

Mama Mary, this was my first year meeting you, but I had a very great experience. Your Indian tradition and culture is very interesting and I also learned a lot from the experience of you coming to my school. I also think that a lot of the other students also learned about respect by what you taught us. Thank you so much for coming to our school. (Ana, El Salvador)

I liked everything, especially when we sang and played the big drum, and when Mama Mary told the stories…I also learned some words in her language.  (Lorena, El Salvador)

A mí me gustó toda la presentación de Mama Mary, cómo tocar el tambor, escuchar las historias, cantar y cómo ella se viste.  Aprendí lo que es muy bonita, su tradición.  Aprendí a decir hola = “osiyo.”  Nos enseñó a cantar en su idioma.  Todo estuvo bonito. = I liked the whole presentation by Mama Mary, how to play the drum, listen to her stories, to sing and how she dresses.  I learned about what is so beautiful, her tradition.  I learned to say hi = “osiyo.”  She taught us how to sing in her language.  Everything was wonderful.  (Alexia, El Salvador)

I liked when Mama Mary was dancing with the other girls. I liked when the students were playing with the drum. What I learned about American Indians is that they are very peaceful and that they like to tell stories. Mama Mary is very kind and she is very beautiful and their traditions are very important and they believe in every religion. (Yessica, El Salvador)

I liked how Mama Mary teaches her culture. I learned that all of us are equal. (Erick, Honduras)

I learned a special way of saying Hello. (Josephine, Liberia)

The best thing that I liked about Mama Mary is that she is friendly with the students and teachers. On Monday, June 4, 2007 when she came to our school I learned many things from her, like how they dress and what they usually eat. Another thing that I learned is that they sing with drums… (Raquel, Peru)

I learned that every year she transfers her Indian history from one generation to the next... (Yitbarek, Ethiopia)

They are peaceful people, have a special way to say hello, tell stories that teach about peace and love, and show us how not to hate each other. (Nimat, Sudan)

I learned about what it exactly means where we came from, and that we should never forget who we are where we came from (Martín, El Salvador)

I learned that we have to keep our culture.  I liked her because she is a person who gives good advice. (Josué, Bolivia)

I want to say that I love her and pray for her to have a longer life and successful life…I felt like I have met her before and she reminds of my aunt from Afghanistan. (Mariam, Afghanistan)

I learned how to enjoy myself with people and how to get together with people.  The drum made us happy and your great actions really grabbed my attention. (Chris, Korea)

I liked the way she educated us about her self and her Cherokee culture.  I also learned from Mama Mary that I should educate people about my culture. (Bilal, Sudan)

She told us everybody is equal.  She taught a lesson about life. She also talked about religion and that we should respect every culture.  Thank you, Mama Mary.  We love you! (Sadia, Pakistan)

I learned that she’s a very good woman. She said that everything that we do, we do for a reason.  (Mario, El Salvador)

I learned that there’s not really any THEM, we are really US.  We have to share the love with each other, and every one of us is important. (Oscar, El Salvador)