2008 Woodie Awards
Panel discusses native cultures
By Greg Reedy
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: News
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Members of the panel included professors Esther Skirboll, professor of sociology, anthropology and social work; Rachela Permenter, Itzi Meztli, and Frederick White, professors of English; and Calvin Standing Bear, a Native American who performed with his flute Wednesday night.
Meztli introduced the speakers and led the question-and-answer session that followed the speakers.
Skirboll was the first to speak and talked mainly about her experiences in Mexico and how although she has no Native American DNA, she can still have admiration for them.
"It began through archeology, and I'm an archeologist," Skirboll said. "I spent six weeks in Mexico. After the dig was over I went to the pyramids in Mexico."
She then spoke of the accomplishments of the Mayan Empire.
"They developed a calendar of 365 days and they were excellent astronomers," Skirboll said.
She then questioned the audience about what they would feel like if some of the injustices that happened to the Mayan empire happened to them.
"How would it feel to be invaded by aliens who thought your gods were devils, burned your books and killed off most of your people?" Skirboll said.
Meztli next introduced Calvin Standing Bear, who spoke of his heritage. He said that his parents were from two different reservations.
He said three of his grandfathers were chiefs in the Sioux tribe, and two of them went to school in Carlisle, Pa., in the 1860s.
He concluded his talk to the audience by saying traditions are fading away in many tribes.
"I talk to the young ones about traditions," he said. "We're losing our traditions. Our traditions are dying away."
Meztli next introduced Permenter, who spoke of her family heritage. She said her father was Cherokee and that it was hard for her to understand why her relatives hid their family history.
"Most of them lost their tradition," Permenter said.
She ended her brief speech by talking about the importance of telling stories.
"The idea is, we are the stories that we tell," Permenter said. "Learning this from native people can make you better understand who you are."
Meztli introduced the final speaker, White, who spoke of his identity and when he learned he was a Native American.
"I loved playing cowboys and Indians," White said. "I always wanted to be the cowboy because I always heard the cowboys were the good guys and the Indians were the bad guys."
"One day (my friend and I) were playing and I was a cowboy. My neighbor said 'Why are you a cowboy? You're an Indian.' I asked my mother and she laughed and laughed. I went upstairs and cried. I thought 'My life is over.'"
White said that experience helped him better identify who he was. He said it gave him a sense of identity and a sense of purpose.
After White spoke, Meztli made a few remarks before opening the panel up for questions.
He spoke of the treatment of Mexicans and other ethnic groups in the United States.
"They have every right to work here and we've turned them into criminals," he said. "That's unheard of. As far as I'm concerned we should have open borders."
During the question-and-answer session, some of the topics discussed included Columbus Day being a federal holiday.
"A lost fool doesn't discover anything except he was lost," Meztli said. "The Americas belong to the people who live here."
Overall, Meztli said the education of indigenous cultures is extremely important.
"Usually, American history glosses over the native history," Meztli said.
Calvin Standing Bear said he enjoyed coming to Slippery Rock University this week.
"It was very educational and I got the opportunity to lecture," he said. "I got a very warm welcome from everybody here who sponsored the event. I hope I can come back again."
