Colorful flags will flutter and traditional drums will resound as Sooners celebrate their Native American heritage with an upcoming event.
The American Indian Heritage Day will begin at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday as members of American Indian Student Life groups lead a procession up the South Oval.
Lillie Keener, American Indian Student Life Student coordinator, said the event will include tribal flags and some notable speakers, such as Clarke Stroud, vice president of Student Affairs, and Rep. Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa, representatives from American Indian fraternity Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma and sorority Gamma Delta Pi.
Corey Elder, Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma chairman, will speak for his fraternity. Industrial engineering junior Elder said he is looking forward to representing his fellow Native Americans at the event.
“We have the opportunity to unite as a student body, not just natives, to learn and understand how our history as a state and country effect the Native American people today,” Elder said.
Elder said he is most looking forward to a traditional blessing ceremony after the procession.
“When the cedar leaves are burned with hot coals, the smoke created is fanned over you with an eagle feather wing,” Elder said. “This smoke is to carry your prayers and thoughts to God or the Creator so he can provide blessing in times of trouble.”
Elder’s fraternity will open the celebration with a “flag song,” he said.
Maddie Habeck, vice president of Gamma Delta Pi, said she encourages everyone to attend the event, not just Native Americans.
“I think it’s important for people who are non-Native to attend the event because you can see that we are still here,” communication senior Habeck said. “Native Americans tend to be underrepresented in the media and elsewhere.”
Keener said she shares similar sentiments, especially since OU is located in a state full of Native American heritage.
“A lot of people who aren’t affiliated with a tribe, they learn about Native Americans in their history class,” Keener said. “I think a lot of them think that’s all it is — it’s history.”
Keener said Heritage Day will show students that Native American culture is still alive and progressing, that it isn’t just history.
The event would also help students better understand a culture that represents a sizeable portion of OU’s student population, Elder said.
Over 1,000 Native American students attend OU, according to the 2013 OU Factbook.
“Every student that calls Oklahoma home should know the importance of eagle feathers, headdresses and other traditional regalia that is worn in native culture,” Elder said.
During the event, some Native American students will be dressed in traditional clothing, and Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma will assemble a teepee on the South Oval, Elder said.
Other Heritage Day activities will include traditional drumming, singing and dancing, as well as a game of stickball, Keener said.
“It’s kind of hard to compare [stickball] to an American sport, but it’s a little like lacrosse,” Keener said.
With the variety of cultural spectacles planned for Heritage Day, all three students said they see the event as a way for Sooners to better understand Native American culture.
Elder said he hopes Heritage Day and future American Indian Student Life events will help eliminate Native American stereotypes and clarify misconceptions.
