In 1998 an anonymous member of the Midwest SOARRING Foundation (a public education and advocacy organization which stands for Save Our Ancestors Remains & Resources Indigenous Network Group) posted an account of the Homecoming of the Kickapoo Nation Pow Wow and Dedication of the Grand Village of the Kickapoo Park. And syndicated newspaper columnist Patrisia Gonzales, who is of Kickapoo heritage, wrote about what it felt like to return to her ancestors' home for the pow wow. Watch the Grand Village website and the Midwest SOARRING Foundation's calendar of events for more information about this year's pow wow, which is scheduled June 2-3.
Background.One of the main bands of Kickapoo Indians lives now in Texas. And Texas anthropologist R.E. Moore has a website on Texas Indians that profiles several peoples, including the federally recognized (since 1983) Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas. Moore points out the Kickapoo started out in Michigan, and kept moving south and west rather than blend their culture in with that of white Americans. Other bands live in Kansas and Oklahoma, but none in Illinois. Today theirs are considered one of the most traditional of American Indian cultures. Says Moore:
... the Kickapoo still spend a lot of time on their traditional land [adjacent to the Texas community] in Mexico. It is in Mexico that they are able to maintain their traditional way of life. They perform all their important ceremonies there and their houses are set up according to tribal custom. The Kickapoo have come a long way in order to maintain their own customs and beliefs. Kinda like the pilgrims did.Pilgrims. Indians. Customs and beliefs. Something to think about. How are the Kickapoo like the pilgrims? How are they different?
An important footnote (parts of which are very, very likely to be on the midterm and final). Moore's website is for elementary school kids, but his writing isn't too annoying, and he tells the kids some things that most adults don't even try to learn. If you want to know how Native American cultures are organized (and you do, because it's absolutely basic to HUM 221), read his introduction to anthropology and Native cultures. It wouldn't hurt to read his introduction for teachers, too. It's good on stereotypes, and equally good on writing for the internet.
Another question. As you read about the Kickapoo Grand Village Pow Wow, does it suggest anything a state university in Illinois might have considered doing if it really wanted to "honor" Native American dance?
10 comments:
A.J. Steven W., Tyler V.
1. Family, Tradition, Happiness, Honesty, Integrity, Teamwork, Appreciation of themselves, Successful lifetime, Creativity
2. Rituals where they sing and pray. Grounds where they are performed are burial sites for ancestors
The Kickapoo seem to have a deep respect for the elders of the tribe. For instance, a 104-year-old woman named Marguerita led the Kickapoo-style "two-step," a courting dance for both men and women. The male dancers also appeared in face paint, a practice formerly reserved for private celebrations only. The Kickapoo wanted to share their traditions with others and show them just how sacred their tribe is. Even though they had almost all of their land taken from them, they were still kind enough to be thankful for the little land they had gotten back.
Values -- examples. Here are a few things I'd put on my list, and where I got them from.
-- Respect for elders, which shows in the account of the 104-year-old woman at the pow wow, as well as other places.
-- Tradition. It's all over the place, both in the histories of the Kickapoo people ... who moved to Texas, even Mexico partly so they could keep traditions, and in traditional dances, etc.
There are plenty of others. I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with.
Steve Daniels, Leane Keller, James Long
The Kickapoo had many values from tradtion to honesty and integrity. I think their biggest value was respect to the elders in the tribes. The pow wows were to honor the warriors and the leaders of the tribe. There was a lot of singing and dancing to commemorate that.
1. Respect for elders and tradition seem to be the most commonly stated values.
2. A pow wow is a ritual where the Kickapoo sing and pray
1. Some Kickapoo values are Respect for elders, tradition, self appreciation, and honor.
2. Rituals of the Kickapoo was that they would have pow wow's which they would sing and dance around fire and celebrate.
1. The Kickapoo had many values such as a high respect for their elders, keeping alive their tradition, a self-respect for themselves, honesty, and integrity.
2. The Kickapoo pow wow ritual consisted of them getting toegether around a fire and singing and dancing in respect for their ancestors.
1. Respect for elders and tradition.
2. A pow wow is a ritual where Kickapoo sing and pray together.
For those who have an interest in Native American cultural anthropology, you might find the following to be of interest: An educational item that pertains to historic photos and observations of Native American Indians, created a century ago.
Mosa Motion Graphics LLC, has produced an educational DVD on legendary photographer Edward S. Curtis and his famous lectures.
A century ago, Curtis authored his legendary photographic work, and anthropological study, The North American Indian. Curtis studied and detailed Indian tribes west of the Mississippi from 1898-1930. His photographic images are world renowned, but his 20 volumes of Anthropological observations have gotten less attention.
The DVD, "THE INDIAN PICTURE OPERA" is a re-creation of Curtis's magic lantern slide show and lecture of 1911-1912. This production is a 52 minute film detailing Indian tribes of the American west, all in Curtis's own words. It's a journey back in time, including original music that Curtis commissioned for the 1911 stage production. This is a glimpse through the eyes and observations of E. S. Curtis, photographer and anthropologist. This is the first time ever, that Curtis's lectures have been re-created into a film.
THE INDIAN PICTURE OPERA is available as an educational wide-screen production on DVD, with surround sound, subtitled in English, Spanish and French. You might find this DVD to be of interest to faculty members or students.
This film received recognition at the 2006 Heard Museum FIlm Festival (Phoenix, AZ), and The 2006 Anchorage International film Festival (AK).
For a further description got to:
http://www.curtisdvd.com
I-Tunes Video podcast available at:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=206790253
Educational Distributor: WWW.LIBRARYVIDEO.COM
http://www.libraryvideo.com/product.asp?mod=Search&i_ACTIVE_ITM=1&i_FROM_GRADE=1&i_TO_GRADE=20&qs=indian+picture&key=LVC&Exact=N&Words=A&mscssid=LRNQW7WM3KX88G4SU1ARGSWBWMFQ3QM2&x=0&y=0&sku=W1703&wherefrom=search
I hope you find this to be of interest to you.
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