Friday, September 4,1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 9
Native American student group considers inclusive name change
By Steph Brewer
Kansan staff writer
Starting next week, the University of Kansas Native American Student Association may no longer be known as NASA.
At yesterday's meeting, Michael Yellow Bird, assistant professor of social welfare, talked to the group about changing its name to something more representative of Native peoples' culture, such as Indigenous People or First Nations. The organization will vote on the name change next week.
"Native American has this certain tone," he said. "...This wasn't America. Every time we use the word American, use the word Indian, it says a lot more about the people who colonized us."
having used terms such as Indian, indigenous peoples were not empowering themselves, he said.
"I use the term 'Indian' with affection ... in one way, it has that affectionate terminology," he said. "On a higher level, it's about colonization."
Christopher Columbus named
the indigenous people of North America "Indians" because he thought he had reached the Indies on his famous 1492 voyage.
"None of us are really Indian people," Yellow Bird said.
He illustrated stereotypes associated with the term "Indian" by giving a class survey. On one side of the paper, he asked students to write down words they thought of when they heard the term "Indian." On the other side of the page, he had them do the same exercise with the term "indigenous people."
yellow Bird called the results of the survey startling. He said examples of the words students wrote describing "Indian" were blood-thirsty and scalping. Examples written for "indigenous people" were here first and original people.
were here first and only people. "I'm using a colonizer's term to identify myself, and I won't do that anymore," he said.
anywhere, he has spoken. Indigenous people in British Columbia extracted an apology from the Canadian government for years of paternalism and racism, he said.
tity."
"They are marking the new millennium by reclaiming their iden-
Yellow Bird said by asserting their power, indigenous people finally could gain sovereignty in their respective nations. One of the ways indigenous people in the United States could do this was by not using the word American in identifying themselves.
NASA secretary Michael Nannauck of Kake, Alaska said that he supported changing the organization's name.
"The way he talks moves me," he said of Yellow Bird's speech. "It makes me feel passionate about who I am."
Nannauck said that a more accurate label would empower indigenous people and that the fact that people were discussing the issue was a sign of things to come.
Native people are gaining momentum and strength like never before in history since colonization," he said.
NASA president Raven Heavy Runner, Browning, Mont. senior said he also wanted the name changed.
"I think that it's important that we as native peoples educate ourselves about who we are," he said.
Coke is it for children of faculty as they cash in on soft-drink deal
By Angela Johnson Kansan staff writer
A select number of students have reaped the benefits of the University of Kansas' contract with Coca-Cola. Ninety-four students, 65 of them incoming freshmen, received the first Coca-Cola Merit Scholarship for the 1998-99 academic year.
The scholarships were awarded to children of KU faculty and staff. Students also had to score a 24 composite ACT score and hold a 2.5 grade point average or a 21 ACT score and a 3.0 GPA to be eligible. The scholarships were awarded for $1,000, $750, $500 or $250.
Elizabeth Boldridge, Lawrence freshman, received a $1,000 scholarship. Florence Boldridge, Elizabeth's mother, is the director of diversity programs in the School of Engineering.
"The people who look at the applications really consider that," she said. "It's all about applying yourself. There are so many kids out there with so much potential but they don't use it — it's sad."
Elizabeth, a member of Delta Gamma sorority and an ambassador for the men's basketball team, said the most important factor in applying for the Coke scholarship was getting her application in early.
Florence said her daughter applied for 31 scholarships last fall during Elizabeth's senior year at Lawrence High School. In addition to the Coke scholarship, Elizabeth received two Endowment merit scholarships from the University and a Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship.
but it really paid off for Florence said her daughter realized the full impact of her efforts when her bill for tuition came in the mail and showed a zero balance.
"The application process was kind of overwhelming, but it really paid off in the end," Elizabeth said.
"That's when she realized she didn't have to pay anything." Florence said. "She did it."
thing," Florence said. As a single mother of two children, Florence said that she is more aware of the financial responsibilities of putting kids through college and that she instilled that value in her children.
value in her children.
"Her obligations are tuition and fees, which are taken care of," Florence said. "She understands the value of getting an award of this nature, but she also understands that she needs to maintain her accomplishments and use this as a springboard for other scholarships."
scholarships. Chancellor Robert Hemenway said the scholarship was a way of giving back to the faculty who had given so much to the University.
so much to the university.
"The people who work at the University are parents, too, and they're concerned about their children's education," Hemenway said. "We've invested two or three years into finding a way to help the children of our faculty pursue their education."
Elizabeth Boldridge, Lawrence freshman, stands next to her mother, Florence Boldridge, in her mother's office in the Dean's Office of the School of Engineering. Elizabeth was a recipient of a $1,000 Coca-Cola Merit Scholarship, which goes to children of faculty and staff. Photo by Graham K. Johnson/KANSAN
The scholarship is not renewable, but students who have received the award are eligible to reapply, said Alan Cerveny, director of admissions.
"These are one-time awards, but it is very possible for a student to win again." Cerveny said.
The University plans to give the Coca-Cola scholarship annually, Cervey said. The number of scholarships awarded depends on the number of applicants and the amount of money available.
Florence emphasized that students should not limit themselves from applying for scholarships if they are not honors students.
nother student's name.
"Elizabeth had over a 3.5 GPA in high school, but she was not in honors classes," she said. "These scholarships are very attainable."
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