Smithsonian scholars share songs, stories

by Carol Crump
Friday, November 20, 2009 4:53 PM MST

Four Smithsonian scholars are in Casper to help bring to life November as Native American Heritage Month. They’ll be sharing the stories and songs, myths, lore and culture of the Plains Indians at elementary schools and at the National Historic Trails Interpretative Center. The event at the NHTIC on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is free and open to the public, including families.

The Smithsonian Associates are visiting several Natrona County School District elementary schools from Nov. 18 through Nov. 20 as participants in the district’s Discover and Diversity Task Force programs. They are part of the “Smithsonian Scholars in the Schools” program that brings the museum to audiences outside Washington, D.C. Earlier this spring, the program brought visitors from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum to the local school district.

”The caliber of people is outstanding,” said Smithsonian coordinator Pam Wejman. “They’re experts in their fields and they can make subject matter come alive for all audiences, children and adults alike.”

The shared visit for Native American Heritage Month was arranged by school district public relations officer Kelly Eastes and NHTIC Visitor Information Specialist Reed Miller.

“We’re honored that the school district made this available to us, to keep these stories and issues before people,” Miller said. “The time will be well spent when you can hear a native perspective.”

The morning’s first speaker will be Dr. Herman J. Viola, the Smithsonian National Museum Natural History curator emeritus. He will offer an overview of traditional Plains Indian art and culture and discuss the traditional way of life of buffalo hunting and village people who lived on the Great Plains in the historic period and the Plains people today. His presentation, “On the Plains: Daily life, Art and Culture,” will include artifacts from the Smithsonian museum. Viola is the author of a middle school social studies textbook and a Book of the Month Club selection, “Little Big Horn Remembered: the Untold Story of Custer’s Last Stand.” Viola “always knows some of the best kept secrets of any culture,” Wejman said.

Greg Rodgers, the second presenter, is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The author and storyteller includes history, myth and lore in “As We Tell Our Stories: Myths and Lore of the Plains.” The stories he tells are chosen from multiple tribal influences around North America, with a strong focus on the cultures of the Northern Plains. He recently published a collection of his stories, titled “The Ghost of Mingo Creek,” and an upcoming book, “Trickster,” will be out in the summer of 2010.

The lunch period will include music by Jack Gladstone, who also will be the day’s final speaker. Gladstone is a native “PoetSinger” and lecturer from the Blackfeet Indian Nation of Montana. A former college instructor, he delivers programs nationally on American Indian Mythology and history, and has produced 15 CDs. His afternoon presentation is titled “Buffalo Café: Cultural Change on the Northern Plains.”

Preceding Gladstone, the third Smithsonian Associate who will be presenting on Nov. 21 is naturalist Jim Garry. Garry is a storyteller in the oral tradition, who will share stories of the history and heritage, facts and myths of the West in his presentation, “The Plains Indian and Nature’s Tale.” He works throughout the West, teaching wildlife courses at Yellowstone National Park and leading camping trips on portions of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

If you go…

National Historic Trails Interpretive Center

Saturday, Nov 21

9:30 a.m. n Dr. Herman J. Viola

10:30 a.m.—Greg Rodgers

Noon-1:00 p.m.—Lunch and musical interlude with Jack Gladstone

1:30 p.m.—Jim Garry

2:30 p.m.—Jack Gladstone

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