One of the most fundamental legacies of Native American culture will soon be available to OSU students.
The art education department will offer a new course in the fall called “Powwow” 101, which will focus on the Native American powwow culture. Implementing an interdisciplinary approach involving various in-class and out-of-class activities, students will study the culture using history, art, literature, socio-political disciplines and native perspectives.
“A powwow is a gathering of native people, and, like a meeting, it has an agenda,” said Powwow 101 instructor Marti Chaatsmith. “It’s about people coming together from all different nations and tribes.”
Since the first relocation of American Indians to reservations, powwows have been a vital part of Native American culture. They are considered the greatest expression of Native American art.
During a powwow, participants dress in traditional and often highly decorated clothing. They enter into the “sacred circle” to dance, sing and celebrate coming together.
“Our people have always danced,” said Carol Welsh, executive director of the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio. “They started having powwows around the 1850s because that’s when they were separated and put on different reservations.”
The powwows were held to share accomplishments and celebrate things that happened during the time of being apart, Welsh said.
“Powwow 101” will examine contemporary powwows as expressions of on-going cultural adaptations, rather than reenactments of past cultures, Chaatsmith said.
The first part of the class will be an introduction to the history behind powwows and their influence on contemporary powwow culture. Some of the issues addressed will include cultural conflict, forced removal, cultural disruption and different means of forced assimilation.
Students will also examine the roots of Native American resistance and political activism.
The second part of the class will look at powwows in the 21st century and their place in native communities. It will focus on the different aspects of powwows including music, dance, dress and organization.
“This should appeal to students interested in history, folklore, comparative studies, anthropology and literature,” Chaatsmith said. “Because this course is held in art education, we’ll have ample opportunity for education majors and current teachers to learn about stereotypes and American Indian teachings.”
The course is part of an initiative to start a new Native American studies minor. One of the main advocates of the initiative is Christine Ballengee-Morris, director of the Multicultural Center.
“It was my hope in developing this course that we would bring together people from other disciplines,” Ballengee-Morris said.
Students interested in taking “Powwow 101,” Art Education 694a, can register for fall quarter.
