Monday, April 13, 2009
“At Steak ‘n Shake this weekend, we saw some really drunk guys going into the bathroom, and without thinking, I asked if they were having a pow-wow in there. They were all from Haskell. FML.”
— Free for All, April 7
So the student feels bad. So we laugh about it. But what does it tell you when the only press First Nations, the University’s Native American student group, got for a pow-wow this weekend was in an ad the group took out itself?
Sadly, this is reflective of the climate that reigns at the top of the hill. In my opinion, comments such as this reveal that the white majority displays an abysmal lack of awareness and understanding about Native culture, and subsequently, our closest collegiate neighbor.
Haskell Indian Nations University lies roughly three miles away from our campus, but you would think it was farther, considering the ignorance that exists here. From the top of the hill, however, many have no idea that right below is the only four-year intertribal school in the nation.
As Becky Welton, the coordinator of the Haskell Bridge Program, said to me: “I used to live in northern Arizona, about an hour from the Grand Canyon. What used to surprise me was that there were people who lived there who had never been there. I find that here in Lawrence. You drive by Haskell when you go down 23rd Street, but very few people come and take advantage. It is kind of amazing.”
It is awareness, not programs, that are lacking. The University offers a graduate program called Global Indigenous Nations Studies, but I would guess that few know that. Patti Wakolee, academic advisor, is the coordinator of the Haskell Mentor Program for transfer students from Haskell as well as the Haskell/KU Exchange Program. Through the exchange, Haskell students can come to the University, and KU students can experience Haskell’s uniquely Native-based education program. Haskell offers courses such as Diabetes on the Reservation and the popular Western Civilization from a non-Western perspective. Despite these opportunities, only about ten students from each university participate in the exchange each year.
“I am surprised there are so many people that don’t know about the history and the culture,” said Marjeanna Burge, Fort Worth graduate student. “It seems like there would be more of a push for that from a big university like KU.”
Despite being a grad student, Burge said, she feels no sense of community here, but instead finds it at Haskell. And it’s little wonder when the predominately white campus population chuckles at racial stereotypes in the Free for All.
Wakolee surprised me with her upbeat attitude in response to the comment.
“It’s a teachable moment,” she said. “I challenge that student to participate, to take a class. One of the reasons students go to college is to debunk myths that they have had growing up.”
There are incredible opportunities for the two universities in Lawrence to work together on research and cultural activities. There is the opportunity for wonderful dialogue and conversations. I dare each of you to follow Wakolee’s advice: step out of the bubble on top of the hill. Debunk those myths.
— Daldorph is a Lawrence junior in journalism and French.
Native American students celebrate culture
Tribe members from as far as New Mexico attended the dance competitions ...
On-campus powwow celebrates Native American heritage
More than 400 people and 50 Native American dancers attended the 24th ...
KU, Haskell grant winners honored
Grants funded by the National Institute of Health assist students who are ...
Powwow honors American Indian heritiage, customs
The Native American population comprises less than 1 percent of the University’s ...
Groups push University to protect wetlands
Environmental and Native-American organizations demonstrate by Strong Hall to protest South Lawrence ...
A question of identity
The Comanche Nation informed KU that a professor who claims he's Comanche ...
Far from home
International students talk about what it’s like to be the new kids ...
Native Americans seek student involvement
First Nation Student Association hopes to make the presence of Native Americans ...
Hard up for money
Thanksgiving perspectives: Bridging the gap
Students from Haskell discuss Native American perspectives of Thanksgiving
Students to teach pow wow etiquette
KU launches new study abroad in China
Business students can choose from two Chinese universities.
Daldorph named first Hall Center Scholar
Lawrence sophomore Breanna Daldorph’s time spend in the Hall Center for the ...
Daily KU Info: April 6, 2007
Daily KU Info...Here's a little Lawrence factoid for you to enjoy.
McNaughton: Reflection on proper use of speech ...
Question causes reflection speech and sensitivity.
Preservation or progression
Explore the perspectives of the Wetlands saga, from cultural identity to ecological ...
Student Senate passes mascot resolution
Author explores paranormal in “Ghosts of Kansas”
Several places in Lawrence, including the home of Sigma Nu fraternity, are ...
Hawk Week event shows campus multiculturalism
“Take Over the Beach” lets students explore the University’s ethnic and cultural ...
Symposium showcases American Indian culture
The Dole Institute of Politics will hold the event, which focuses on ...
Foreign students bring culture to campus
Students from across the globe have come to the University and brought ...
Students, faculty share mixed feelings on diversity
Despite the number of minority students increasing over the past 10 years, ...
Forum series offer student insight on war ...
The Dole Institute of Politics invites experts on the Irag war to ...
Organization provides internships abroad
Ashlee Crowl has traveled all over Europe, and thanks to a student-run ...
Tales from our other home half way ...
Students learn to study abroad on a ...
As the dollar’s exchange rate worsens, people learn to live frugally in ...
Williams: Athletics enriches experience
Universities with sports culture aid academics.
Sending mixed signals?
International students often find cultural misunderstandings while communicating physically.
Visitors from sister city Eutin welcomed
Prominent city representatives, classical guitar orchestra, students arrive from Germany in Sister ...
Program to celebrate Hemenway’s 14 years
‘Hats Off to Hemenway,’ at the Lied Center, will commemorate the outgoing ...
Students, Lawrence residents run a buck in ...
The courses started at Haskell University and routed around Lawrence. Even former ...
Students experience living on campus
Students should expect to make some adjustments to a new environment when ...
Good Afternoon Mrs. E
One-hundred-and-thirty-seven buildings occupy the 1,000-acre Lawrence campus and more than 100 are ...
This weekend
Haskell Indian Art Market
Annual art market showcases Native-American cultures
Support recurrs for traveling artists selling their unique work in Lawrence.
Aboriginal playwright visits University theater classes
David Milroy’s work examines the Australian Aboriginal experience from both a historical ...
Fans keep tailgating despite construction
The construction of the new Anderson Family Football Complex has caused some ...
Love and lust in college
From one-night stands to long-term relationships, students’ perceptions of the collegiate dating ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID