Memo from Mary F. Nelson to Academic Deans about exploring Native American art
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Title
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Memo from Mary F. Nelson to Academic Deans about exploring Native American art
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Date
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1978
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extracted text
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I
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The Evergreen State College
January 31, 1978
TO:
Bill Winden
President Evans
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/Other Academic Deans
/3A)
FRa.i:
Mary F. Nelson
RE:
Exploring Native American Art: S.W. and Other Areas of Infonnation
~eakers Bureau:
I have talked at two different schools to date; one on Jan.
1 at the Tliriberline High School with Sharon Thomas' class where I spent a good
deal of my time explaining Evergreen -- as coordinated studies, group programs,
individual contracts, the faculty, etc. The second was at the Mt. View
Elementary School (Sat. Jan. 21) in Lacey to speak and put on a demonstration
for a group of retarded people, from kindergarten age to adults. In both cases
I showed slides of Indian art, and spoke on the mythology snd cultures behind
it. The only difficult thing that I fotmd was that the retardees \rere "touchers.
and feelers" and that upset me slightly, as I regard touching a personal, perhaps
culturally learned, thing. They almost broke a very old beaded necklace that I
was foolish enough to wear. However, I assume this is the way in which they
feel they can conmn.micate with others best. It was indeed a learning experience
for me, and I therefore developed a deep and abiding respect for the people that
work with them, such as Cheri Dillv, who coordinates their weekend programs. I
would find working with these people difficult emotionally, and would tmdoubtedly
turn into a ''bleeding heart," which is something they do not need tmder any
circumstances.
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Exploring Native American Art: S.W.: Arma Rowe, noted basket maker of the Northwest, commenced classes for this group contract on Jan. 24. (There will be 5
classes overall, due to budget watching.) The students are enthusiastic and are
working energetically at it. ·Ben George, a member of the Puyallup Tribe, Tacoma,
came and spoke to the class about his tribe, his work, etc., on the 26th of Jan.
Monday, Jan. 30 the group will car-pool it to the Chehalis Reservation, Oakville,
to learn various aspects of their tribal concerns, and share some Evergreen veiws
with them. It shall be two-fold; we can do comparative studies during the spring
quarter "'hen \'ie visit the Pueblos in the Southwest, and lie can also learn more of
our own Native people in our own vicinity, plus to PR work. The Chehalis' were
very receptive to my call, and are willing to share with us their life, and their
culture. I will also set up such visits to the Quinaults, the Skokomish, and ·
Olympia. Washington 98505
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last, but not least, with the Makahs in Neah Bay. This has already peen tentatively set for the 28th of Feb. through Mar. 3rd. At the same time we shall visit
the Ozette dig, the tribal center, and the temporary; nru.seum which houses the
artifacts from the dig.
P.S. (Jan. 31, 1978): The Chehalis Tribal visit was a huge success, and we feel
\ve learned nruch from these people. We had two "guides" who spent about 5 hours
with us, showing us the various parts of the tribal center itself; head start,
nursery, pre-school, meeting rooms, class-rooms where secretarial work and math
are taught to the older or college age people; a movie that was exceedingly well
. done on the Chehalis tribe that dated back to the first white contact; the new
housing on the reservation by HUD (very impressive, ·and the girls who acted as
guides were rightfully proud of it-- and of all their other tribal activities).
It was a full learning day for my class. We also visited a couple of basket/
headwork shops and ·workshops, and fotmd that the Chehalis are excellent headers
and basket makers. The tribe also asked for student aides from Evergreen for
their head start and pre-school periods. I have passed this information to.
Barbara Cooley in Co-op Education.
'Till next time!
rje
1973-86_NAS_8D38_02_18