Collaboration between the Teacher Education Program and the Native American Student Movement (NASM) created over a week of activities for everyone to enjoy.Tribal sovereignty of Wisconsin Native Americans was discussed at a program entitled “Wisconsin Indians 101 – Tribal Sovereignty” on April 26.
J.P. Leary from the Wisconsin Department of Education was the presenter.
Other programs included honoring teachers for their efforts, stories visually performed by children from the Indian Community School, movies, meeting four-year college advisors, and culminated by a Pow Wow at the Oak Creek Campus on Friday, April 30.
A celebration for National Teacher Day was held during the day and evening on May 4.
Both portions included Dr. Thorton, the incoming Milwaukee Public School Superintendent. Some of the events drew crowds, like the Native American dance demonstration, in which students and faculty joined in at the S Building Atrium.
On April 29, oohs and aahs were heard as Native American Hoop Dancer and actress Thirza DeFoe gave an astonishing performance highlighting part of the “Winter Stories” program. Children of the Indian Community School took part in the program with Ms. DeFoe, doing interpretive dances. The programs together ran as part of Teach Week from April 26 to May 4 and American Indian Awareness Month from April 21 to April 30.
There was something for everyone to experience. Many students remarked about colors and movements of the Native American dance demonstrations.
Advisors Greg Johns and Susan Chicks of the American Indian Student Services office organized the Native American activities while Lorraine Tyler, Eva Hagenhofer and Sam Guerrero from the Teacher Education Program office produced the other activities.
All their efforts provided a great stress reliever for students, especially in the days of final exams.
MATC students from the audience joined children from Indian Community School to perform hoop dance techniques with Thirza DeFoe (R) of Milwaukee Public Theatre. The event was part of the “Honoring Teachers” program that took place on April 27th in the S-b (Nicholas Patrinos)
Dr. Burke (upper middle) shows his two-step with Rose Alloway, President of the Native American Student Movement (NASM), during the student organization’s annual Pow Wow. The event was held at Oak Creek Campus. Indian tacos with dinner were served for on (Nicholas Patrinos)
