The Vista April 7, 1994

Page 1

University of Central Oklahoma

THURSDAY April 7, 1994

The Student Voice Since 1903

Indian Heritage Week exhibits culture Basket weaving, powwows featured this week lines and meanings behind the "tipi." From this information, she painte& a design on the outside of the "tipi." Mason said the design on the "tipi" is like an address. The sound of tribal chants drifted across "If you knew my I—Tilly, you could look campus Monday as the First American Stu- for the design, and you would know that dent Association (FASA) and the was where I lived," Mason said. Multicultural Student Services Office Mechelle Aitson, president of FASA and kicked off Indian Heritage Week at the Mary Rogers, UCO FASA Princess demUniversity of Central Oklahoma. onstrated exhibition dancing. Aitson and Demonstrations on basket weaving, ex- Rogers began dancing this year, and said hibition dancing and "tipi" setup were also they learned everything from the American held Monday. Indian War Dance Guild. The Guild is a Mary Aitson, teaching society to a retired sixth get Indians ingrade teacher, volved in the culIf you knew my family, you could gave demonture. Around 50 look for the design, and you would strations on basdifferent tribes are know that was where I lived. ket weaving. represented in the Aitson learned Guild. Part of the -Ramona Mason, free-lance to weave from teaching is for the artist and tipi constructor Avis Dory, a fastudents to go to mous weaver powwows and perwith the Indian Arts Council. Aitson said form in public. she just weaves for fun. The Prairie Sky Singers, a four- member "Basket weaving is very therapeutic, good drum group, are also part of the Guild. for the mind," said Aitson. "But you know Michael Standing, the leader of the Prairie real quick when you make a mistake." Sky Singers, has been a teacher in the Guild Children came up and asked Aitson what for five years she was doing, and she explained the steps "A lot of the Indians in the Guild are far of basket weaving while throwing in bits of away from home and can't participate in Indian history. their culture. This way they can get inRamona Mason, a free-lance artist, the volved, then they can go home and show "tipi" that was on display. She does con- their families what they know," said Standsulting work and demonstrations about In- ing. dians, art and "tipis." She said that the "tipi" OT Sankey, Calvin Oldcamp and John is really very simple but very sophisticated Riley are also part of the Prairie Sky Singat the same time. ers. The singers are named after the drum "It is cool in the summer and warm in the they perform with, the Prairie Sky. winter," Mason said. "If you know what "People think that Indians are very rigid, you are doing and have a helper who knows but there is always an undercurrent of huwhat they are doing, you can set the `tipi' up mor. Indians use humor as a way to break in 10 minutes and tear down in seven." the ice and show friendship with other Weaving watching... The "tipi" was given to Mason by her people," said Mason. To enforce her point, UCO senior, Letitia Head, receives a basket weaving lesson from Maly Aitson. husband as a birthday present. Since her the Prairie Sky Singers sang a song about First American Student Association kicked off Indian Heritage week on Monday tribe did not usually live in "tipis," she Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto. by holding a cultural exhibition in Centennial Square. (Photo by Mike Simons) talked with elders of other tribes that did V See related story on Page 6 live in "tipis," and they gave her the guideV See INDIAN, Pace 9 Stacye Koc h Student Writer

99

INSIDE TODAY Editorial 2 Letters 2 World Wrap 6 Around Campus 11 Comics 11

Two Cents

6

Terris Two Cents is a column of wit and

opinion. This issue deals with prophylactic politics.

Bye-bye

7

Administrative assistant Peter Regan leaves to join Dan Weber's congressional campaign.

Baseball

8

UCO's Bronchos win foilr straight games over Abilene Christian, extending their record to 24-5.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.