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Monday, November 20.1995
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Native tribes share similarities in culture
Native American Heritage Month
By Hannah Naughton Kansan staff writer
Their histories and cultures are as different as their geographic origins. But a new culture is growing out what Native Americans do have in common.
There are more than 500 federally recognized Native American tribes. Their histories trace back to regions as different as Alaska, the Southwest and the Northeast. They all share the same historic conflicts with the European culture.
Michael Yellow Bird, assistant professor of social welfare, said Native Americans of different tribal ancestries were coming together in a new culture that had grown out of the similar histories.
"Native people who can't communicate in the same language or who don't have the same ceremonies have all undergone similar kinds of oppression and forced acculturation in history," Yellow Bird said.
A universal, inter-tribal celebration of cultures united the different tribes, he said. Sharing their painful histories reduced the social distances.
"There are some things very different," Yellow Bird said. "Overall, most of the groups have common themes and threads connecting them."
Yellow Bird said some of the themes were the importance of family and relationships and similar spiritual ties to the land. However, this was where some of the ceremonies were different.
Tribes from the Northwest, near British Columbia, centered ceremonies around salmon, Yellow Bird said. His nations and other tribes from the Northern Plains focused on corn. The Southern plains tribes placed the buffalo in important roles in their ceremonies.
"The foods and the lands impacted how these people thought about the world," he said.
Historically, the differences in tribes and nations hadn't been noticed outside of the Native Americans' perspective.
"Often when they've lumped two tribes together on one reservation, they have been mortal enemies and now they are forced to live with one another," said Corey Welch, Billings, Mont., graduate student.
"I think there is definitely, among a lot of people, a strong desire to preserve distinct tribal ways of life." Yellow Bird said. "But people aren't as anxious because another culture emerges when Native people come together."
Bessie James, Lawrence junior and president of the Native American Student Association, said the group had members from different tribes. She said the members all treated each other with respect for their different tribes.
"It's good that all the tribes can come together," James said. "It's a common bond for all of us. It keeps the person positive."
Although tribes had different languages, ceremonies, stories and dress, respect for these differences brought Native Americans together. Yellow Bird said.
"We look at each other with respect," he said. "We sense, we recognize that our cultures still hang in the balance with the majority culture."
ON CAMPUS
Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 11:30 a.m. today at 1204 Orave Ave.
Native American Law Students Association will sponsor a speech, "Taking a Case to the Supreme Court and Winning," by Edmin Smith, at 12:30 p.m. today at Green Hall. For more information, call Todd King at 832-0151.
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center will celebrate Mass at 12:30 p.m. today at Danforth Chapel. For more information, call 843-0357.
Office of Study Abroad will sponsor an informational meeting about study in a French-speaking country at 3:30 p.m. today at 4012 Wescos Hall.
Office of Study Abroad will sponsor an informational meeting about Great Britain direct exchange program at 4 p.m. today at 4037 Wescoe Hall. For more information, call Nancy Mitchell at 864-3742.
KU Karate Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. today at 215 Robinson Center. For more information, call Jon Sides at 832-1771.
International Students Association will meet at 6 p.m. today at the International Room in the Kansas Union.
KU Yoga Club will meet at 7 onton at 310 Burge Union. For more information, call Melissa at 749-8372.
Feminist Collective Force will meet at 7:30 tonight at the International Room in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Tina Beard at 832-2695.
KU Kempo Karate will meet at 7:30 tonight at 207 Robinson Center. For more information, call Mark Hurt at 842-4713.
OAKS — Non-Traditional Students Organization will
sponsor a brown bag lunch at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Rock Chalk Room in the Burge Union. For more information, call Laura Morgan at 864-4064.
Episcopal and Lutheran Campus Ministry will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 12:05 p.m. tomorrow at Danforth Chapel. For more information, call Joe Afford at 843-8202.
Office of Study Abroad will sponsor an informational meeting about study in a Spanish-speaking country at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at 4041 Wescoe Hall.
■ KU Fencing Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at 215 Robinson Center. For more information, call John Hendrx at 864-1529.
■ KU Environs will meet at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Kansas Union. Ask for specific room at candy counter. For more information, call Katherine at 864-7325.
KU Meditation Club will meet at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Alcove D in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Ravi Hirekatur at 832-8789.
KBCT Student Ministries will sponsor a Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Regionalist Room in the Kansas Union. For more information, call Adam Decatur at 841-1683.
Amnesty International will meet at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Glass Onion, 624 W. 12th St. For more information, call Darin Worthington at 832-2488.
Lutheran Campus Ministry will sponsor Taize prayer and music at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at 1116 Louisiana St. For more information, call Brian Johnson at 843-4948.
Weather
$S \mathrm{unure}$ : Brian Bunley, KU Wetward Service
$S \mathrm{unure}$ : Brian Bunley, KU Wetward Service
KU DATELINE
Thanksgiving break begins on Nov. 22. The break ends on Nov. 26. University offices will be closed from Nov. 23 to Nov. 26.
The last day to submit an application for degree to graduate is Dec. 1.
ON THE RECORD
The driver's-side window of a car was broken between midnight Thursday and 2:20 a.m. Friday in the 1000
block of New Hampshire street, Lawrence police reported. Damage was estimated at $200.
Use the Kansan Classifieds to find what you need or sell what you don't.
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Postmaster: Send address changes to the University Daily Kansan, 119 StauFFER-Flint Hall, Lawrence, Kan. 60045.
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