Features

The Bates Student - October 31, 1997

 
 

Bates' funnel for native knowledge
American Indian Awareness Organization works to educate and to be educated

By TINA IYER
Features Editor
 

It seems almost unthinkable, given the egalitarian history that Bates so proudly claims as its own, but the College has graduated only between zero to four American Indian students since its inception, according to Steven Abbott '94, advisor to Bates' American Indian Awareness Organization (AIAO) and public services assistant at Ladd Library.

"Obviously, you want the diversity on campus to expand, but what does the administration have to offer [to these "diverse" students] in response?" asks Abbott. "What ability does Bates have to provide for students once they get here? The answer is pretty much nothing."

Abbott poses this question with regard to all marginalized students, but specifically to Bates' American Indian population. Currently, there are only two students on campus who have identified themselves as Native American (there is one student who is abroad and others who may have Native American heritage but have not chosen to be labeled officially as such).

Given this situation, two years ago Rodney Phillips '98, who is presently taking a leave of absence, spearheaded the formation and organization of the AIAO. While it is open to (and currently run by) nonnative American students to learn about cultures vastly different from their own, it is also meant to be a support group for students of American Indian heritage and culture.

Abbott makes a distinction between what it means to be of Native American heritage, when it is something that is part of blood and identity but may not necessarily be a part of one's lifestyle and upbringing, and when Native American culture is what one was brought up with. He remarked that Phillips, who was brought up in a tightly-knit Navajo community in New Mexico, was often troubled that international students were allowed a different culture, whereas people just assumed that he was an "American" from New Mexico, no different in culture and world view than those other "Americans" from Connecticut or California.

Bates as an institution, inclusive of administration, faculty, and student body, apparently does not realize the extent to which the Native American culture is different from the mainstream; it is not sensitized to the needs or backgrounds of American Indian students. There are few (two currently listed in the course catalog) classes that address Native American issues, and few activities and events on campus that celebrate American Indian heritage.

For this reason, AIAO aims to be "a meeting ground for non-Indian students to be educated," as well as a network of support, said David Seegal '98, AIAO's jack of all trades.

"Right now, we [the non-Indian members of the organization] are both educators and the ones being educated," Seegal continued.

Abbott and Seegal both acknowledge the difficulty of being so active in this organization as non-Indian students. "We maintain strict boundaries about what we can and cannot do, what we can and cannot provide," said Abbott. "We don't pretend that we're something that we're not. We see our role as that of a funnel - to try to bring people who do have the experience, who do know [what it can mean to be Native American] to campus."

Seegal agrees, noting that neither he nor Abbott can assume the sole responsibility of being educators; it is more important for them to focus their time on bringing people to campus who can educate them as well as the rest of the college community.

Unfortunately, most Bates students who are American Indian choose to leave the school. Abbott poses this dismal track record against that of the University of Maine Orono, which has a large and strong student group of 125 to 150 native students every year, offers classes concerning American Indian issues, and employs American Indian faculty and staff.

The AIAO, with the support of other students, has asked the administration to look more closely into these matters. Two years ago, a petition with 400 signatures and 50 individual letters was given to the administration to try to begin this process.

"We've tried to petition and ask of the administration that there be part-time faculty brought on to teach native studies, or at least to get full-time faculty to expand their courses. But we've been deferred and stonewalled," said Seegal.

Abbott concurs, saying that he has heard promises of change from the administration since 1990, "but things have remained static. There is an American Cultural Studies program with no native studies included. That is telling, I think."

For the most part, the administration has responded that there is no evidence that there would be a significant level of student interest to implement these changes, according to Abbott. But Abbott notes that the number of independent studies, theses and independent short-term research in American Indian studies shows a different position. Furthermore, he mentions that David Jenkins' anthropology class called "Western North America: Native Cultures, Histories, and Environments" is always overloaded.

There is some progress, according to both Abbott and Seegal, with the faculty incorporating more American Indian issues into their already established courses. At the same time, both men question whether this is enough.

"It's very important for all concerned to keep in mind that Bates is a small school, and maybe instituting an American Indian studies major would be difficult," Abbott said. But there should be more courses nonetheless, he maintains.

Both Bowdoin and Colby have significantly more courses with a focus on Native American studies, and Abbott feels that Bates lack of institutionalized recognition of Native Americans is telling of how the college views and supports Native American students.

Nonetheless, the AIAO does not spend all of its energy trying to change the heart of the administration. "We arrange a lot of cultural events, such as performances, for the campus, as opposed to just constantly butting our heads against the wall," said Seegal.

These events have had overwhelmingly positive responses from students, who are genuinely interested in learning about American Indian culture.

This upcoming week, from November 3 through November 9, AIAO is celebrating Native American culture and heritage through a series of performances and films, as well as an ongoing fund raiser in support of the American Indian College Fund.

The focus of the week is on local New England tribes, because there is a definite stereotype that all Native Americans live west of the Mississippi, according to Abbott. In fact, the state of Maine has two strong nations of its own, the Penobscot and the Passamaquoddy.

AIAO's first event will be on Mon., Nov. 3, in Frye Street Union, with a performance by flautist Hawk, of the Nipmuc Nation.
 


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Last Modified: 11/5/97
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