Thank you!
A big thank you goes out to those of you that participated in this year's powwow and making it a huge success. Over 120 college students signed up for their service-learning hours.
Quotes:
Below are some quotes from previous service-learning students that participated in past powwows and how it made an impact on them.
"Dear Alice, Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to attend this Pow Wow. I learned many new things and I also got to meet a lot of great and intelligent people. Coming into the Pow Wow I did not think that I was going to like it or learn or get anything out of it but I was wrong. I actually really enjoyed my time there and I wish that everyone could be able to have this experience at least once in their lifetime. I learned that the teepees are not called that they are called lodges. The best thing that I learned though was that since I am going to be an Elementary Education teacher that my job is to not ask a native student to speak about their culture because they are unable to answer that question for all of them in their tribe or group. That was a very helpful tip to be told going into teaching. I really had fun going to this Pow Wow and I am glad that I took this experience and made the best out of it. Sincerely, Emily C."
"Alice, I wanted to thank you for the opportunity that you gave me to take part in the Pow Wow weekend. It was an amazing experience and it showed me how rich the Native American culture of this area is in our area. The experiences that I took from this will follow me for life.
Very Respectfully, Nathaniel T."
"Dear Alice, Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy weekend to help us learn more about the Native American Culture. Your dedication to the POW-WOW is so inspiring and I hope to be able to come back next year. One thing I will definitely take away from this and use in my career as a future teacher is being more understanding of what is offensive to other cultures. Again thank you so much I really enjoyed the whole weekend. Sincerely, Chloe G."
"The Pow Wow was a great experience and I am so thankful I was given the chance to participate in the ways I did. I got to talk with Native Elders first-hand, hear their stories and share a little piece of their lives. I got to learn a little bit about artwork and handicrafts, experience a Grand March with full regalia, and get into the nitty-gritty of modern Native food (and no, they would not tell me the secret of their fry bread). Aside from being a ton of fun, I got to increase my knowledge and meet people I would normally never meet. It was a very special experience, I am so glad I was able to participate."
"I was struck by the tranquility of the elders. They are very calm, very peaceful. When they talk I feel great wisdom is coming from their mouths. But also great sorrow. For the briefest instant I was able to imagine myself living in their shoes: a third culture citizen forever. Feeling like an outsider on your own land. It must be terrible They do not seem to be hateful, rather grieved about what has happened to their people."
"Perhaps my favorite part of the day was working at Little Winds. I just jumped in and stayed there for a long time (way past my shift). I got to make frybread tacos and burgers and cherries and wild rice casserole and corn soup. It was a culinary experience... And I was not shocked that the kitchen environment was pretty much exactly the same as all my other food service experiences. I felt remarkably at home." -
"They seem to not really care as much about money more so tradition, family, and doing what they love."
"This event was very useful and helped me gain more knowledge about the Native Americans. The Native Americans are very unique and have their own set practices and beliefs like any other indigenous group." -
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead
"Dear Alice, Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to attend this Pow Wow. I learned many new things and I also got to meet a lot of great and intelligent people. Coming into the Pow Wow I did not think that I was going to like it or learn or get anything out of it but I was wrong. I actually really enjoyed my time there and I wish that everyone could be able to have this experience at least once in their lifetime. I learned that the teepees are not called that they are called lodges. The best thing that I learned though was that since I am going to be an Elementary Education teacher that my job is to not ask a native student to speak about their culture because they are unable to answer that question for all of them in their tribe or group. That was a very helpful tip to be told going into teaching. I really had fun going to this Pow Wow and I am glad that I took this experience and made the best out of it. Sincerely, Emily C."
"Alice, I wanted to thank you for the opportunity that you gave me to take part in the Pow Wow weekend. It was an amazing experience and it showed me how rich the Native American culture of this area is in our area. The experiences that I took from this will follow me for life.
Very Respectfully, Nathaniel T."
"Dear Alice, Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy weekend to help us learn more about the Native American Culture. Your dedication to the POW-WOW is so inspiring and I hope to be able to come back next year. One thing I will definitely take away from this and use in my career as a future teacher is being more understanding of what is offensive to other cultures. Again thank you so much I really enjoyed the whole weekend. Sincerely, Chloe G."
"The Pow Wow was a great experience and I am so thankful I was given the chance to participate in the ways I did. I got to talk with Native Elders first-hand, hear their stories and share a little piece of their lives. I got to learn a little bit about artwork and handicrafts, experience a Grand March with full regalia, and get into the nitty-gritty of modern Native food (and no, they would not tell me the secret of their fry bread). Aside from being a ton of fun, I got to increase my knowledge and meet people I would normally never meet. It was a very special experience, I am so glad I was able to participate."
"I was struck by the tranquility of the elders. They are very calm, very peaceful. When they talk I feel great wisdom is coming from their mouths. But also great sorrow. For the briefest instant I was able to imagine myself living in their shoes: a third culture citizen forever. Feeling like an outsider on your own land. It must be terrible They do not seem to be hateful, rather grieved about what has happened to their people."
"Perhaps my favorite part of the day was working at Little Winds. I just jumped in and stayed there for a long time (way past my shift). I got to make frybread tacos and burgers and cherries and wild rice casserole and corn soup. It was a culinary experience... And I was not shocked that the kitchen environment was pretty much exactly the same as all my other food service experiences. I felt remarkably at home." -
"They seem to not really care as much about money more so tradition, family, and doing what they love."
"This event was very useful and helped me gain more knowledge about the Native Americans. The Native Americans are very unique and have their own set practices and beliefs like any other indigenous group." -
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead