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Michigan Tech Lode
April 15, 2010
! e r e h s i g n i Spr Spring fling 2010 promises many opportunities for fun April 16th Noon-5:00p.m.
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Events: MUB Board Ferris Wheel **Lot 5 Grad--------Noon - 7:00 p.m. MTSF Mud Volleyball (oozeball) **Lot 15 E Full Throttle Motorcycle Show**Lot 27 $2 Pay Lot Shows are 15-20 minutes long at Noon, 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. NSLS Cook-out**Prince's Point-----------All Afternoon Greek Week Games hosted by IFC & Panhel**Walker Lawn------All afternoon SACS Comedian Rob O'Reilly**MUB Ballroom---------10:00 p.m.
Lode file photo
Lode file photo
Kevin Locke to share authentic Native American dance and culture at the Rosza ZACHARY PAGE Lode Writer
M
ichigan Tech has been known for its focus on cultural awareness thanks in part to the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Though unbeknownst to some students and faculty, the organization also deals extensively with Native American customs and rituals around our community. Next week, the Rosza Center for Performing Arts will host Kevin Locke (or Tokeya Inajin, which means in the Lakota language as “The First to Arise”). Locke is a traditional Native American storyteller, educator, musician, and Hoop Dancer among other things. Locke began learning about his heritage at a very early age. His mother, Patricia Locke; uncle, Abraham End-of-Horn, and many others are the key inspirations that lead him through his life. As time went by, his ambitions grew to experimenting with music, teaching, and storytelling. Throughout his life, Locke has led a crusade towards understanding and acceptance of different customs and traditions throughout the world. His goal, as he puts
it, is to “raise awareness of the Oneness we share as human beings.” One of the key rituals used to manifest those understandings is through the traditional Hoop Dancing. “It reflects the roles and responsibilities that all human beings have within the hoops, or circles, of life,” says Locke. Flute playing is also a major pursuit within his life and has been a long practiced tradition among Native Americans. According to scholar and flautist Edward Wapp, flute playing is meant to evoke the natural beauty of the environment in which one lives. The Lakota, a nation of which Locke belongs to, is an excellent example of where the flute is widely used. The Lakota and Dakota nations stem from the northern prairies of what is known as Maka Wita or “Earth Island”. The Lakota flute is used to reflect the winds which move through the meadowlands. According to Lakota tradition, there are seven notes that repre-
“I want to create a positive awareness of the Oneness of humanity”
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sent four distinct ideas; direction, the Earth, the heavens, and the heart. “It is so hard for people to relate one to another because we all come from different backgrounds,” says Locke. “But no matter where we come from, we can all connect with music.” Aside from the flute, Locke also plays the drums, voice, and the rattles. He combines all four instruments to create a form of music known as “Olowan”. The Olowan is played to reflect the characteristics of a thunderstorm. Twelve albums have been produced by Locke in the past 28 years. These albums accompany the many traditions that highlight society within the Lakota. Some of his more notable albums include; Dream Catcher, Open Circle, and Keepers of the Dream. Teaching and educating through storytelling are also delegations that Locke follows. He strives to display the importance of not
-Kevin Locke
only Native American rights but of others as well. Some literature includes the plight of the American Indian during the early years of American history. Up until the early twentieth century, Native Americans were seen as inferior to the average “white” American. Rampant discrimination was discernable in many communities populated by white majorities. The Trail of Tears in the 1830s serves as a prime example of this discrimination which led to the displacement of over 45,000 Native American tribes from their homeland to “Indian Territory” or Oklahoma. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed a bill claiming American Indians as citizens of the United States. From this point, many American Indian reservations were made which allowed for the creation of schools, buildings, and roads. In 1968, the American Indian Movement (AIM) was passed to prevent ongoing discrimination of Native Americans and for educational purposes. “All of the people have the same impulses, spirit and goals. I want to create a positive awareness of the Oneness of humanity,” says Locke. Locke has been touring the world for more than 20 years and
Just the facts Who: Kevin Locke
What: Native American dance and culture When: April 20th 7:30-11:30 p.m. Where: Rozsa Center How much: Students-$20 General public-$25
has lectured and performed in many countries around the world including the United States, Germany, Turkey, and Brazil. He also works extensively with environmental relations and resource conservation. The event will take place on April 20, Tuesday, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts. Tickets will be $25 for the general public and $20 for students. For more information regarding the event contact the Native American Outreach at (906) 487-2920 or by visiting their website at http://www. mutlicultural.mtu.edu/programsnative.php.
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