Eight years ago, the Potawatomi Traveling Times (PTT) came up with the idea of celebrating American Indian Heritage Month by asking area tribal youth K-12 to express what their heritage meant to them by way of creating art. Although Native American Heritage Month takes place in November, some may wonder why it is that PTT publicly celebrates it in December and January. Mainly, it’s because involving the school districts is the best way to reach more Native youth. But that means that teachers are unable to involve students until September, which only allows three months before projects are due – not a lot of time. This entire endeavor takes a lot of coordination between the PTT, school administrators, art teachers, students, and parents. In a nutshell, PTT celebrates after the fact because it feels that better late is better than never.
Over the last eight years, 189 projects have been submitted and have included a wide range of mediums: poems and short stories, beadwork and baskets, pottery and paintings, and everything in between. This year, 35 projects from the Crandon and Laona school districts were submitted. Artwork ranged from the traditional using leather and beads to the more contemporary using clay, watercolors and canvas. The art was on display for public viewing from the second week in December to the first week in January at the Forest County Potawatomi (FCP) Executive Building. The celebration of culture and creativity culminates in an art reception, held this year on Jan. 5, also at the FCP Executive Building.
After a delicious dinner of creamy wild rice chicken soup, fry bread and assorted bars prepared by Dewing’s Catering, tribal elder Billy Daniels Jr. got the program started with an opening prayer.
On-hand again this year to provide a welcome song, honor song and travel song were the Young Warriors: Benny Peters, Bondese Frank, Frankie Shepard, Brady Shepard, Levi Shepard, Reddmen LeMieux, and Riley Bulmer. These young men did a fantastic job! They were assisted by Donald Keeble, Nick Shepard, Jordan Keeble, Richard Gougé, Aaron Bulmer, and Frank Shepard Jr. The program included a male dancer this year: Autry Johnson, whose dance style is men’s grass.
FCP tribal member and artist Sam Alloway spoke briefly to the youth, encouraging them to listen to their dreams, to use them as inspiration in their art. Alloway told the young artists that he could see what they were feeling and trying to express when he looked at their work. He went on to talk about how art is an intrinsic part of Native American culture, the high value put on Native art, and the need to copyright one’s work.
Mark Mackowski, Crandon high school art teacher, and Rachel Keepers, Laona art teacher, both spoke briefly to those in attendance of the pride they feel for these budding artists and encouraged them to use and hone their talents as a form of positive self-expression.
Each participating artist received a certificate and a $15 Hobby Lobby gift card. Students who participated this year were:
Abey VanZile (11), Forest County Potawatomi
Alexis Madl (12), Oneida
Brady Shepard (11), Forest County Potawatomi
Burton Polar (10), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Darlaina Boyd (15), Forest County Potawatomi/Oglala Lakota Sioux
Dayman Lakehouse (17), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Dion Daniels (11), Forest County Potawatomi
Frankie Shepard (12), Forest County Potawatomi
India VanCleve (9), Forest County Potawatomi
Israel Alloway (17), Forest County Potawatomi
Jeremiah Stewart (13), Chippewa
Joanne Higgins (10), Forest County Potawatomi
Kyla Beauprey (11), Menominee/Potawatomi
Lashay Christenson (16), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Lavara Gilpin (12), Forest County Potawatomi/Lakota Sioux Santee
Lillie Daniels (8), Forest County Potawatomi
Matthew Christenson (13), Lac du Flambeau
Naganwedek Daniels (13), Forest County Potawatomi
Natalia Tuckwab (11), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Patrick Daniels (11), Forest County Potawatomi
Precious Pamonicutt (11), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Preston VanZile (10), Forest County Potawatomi
Selena Alloway (13), Forest County Potawatomi
Serena Alloway (13), Forest County Potawatomi
Shauna Christenson (12), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Sylus Poler (7), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Tana VanZile (14), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Taylar Marvin (13), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Troy Soldier (12), Sokaogon Chippewa Community
Wahsnoday Pamp (17), Saginaw Chippewa Indians
Wynter Montgomery (7), Forest County Potawatomi
Zoey Weso (9), Forest County Potawatomi
Thank you to these young artists for their hard work and participation. PTT hopes that their vision, imagination and quest for creative self-expression will continue for a lifetime! Many thanks to those who had a hand in spreading the word in the community and to those who encourage budding artists every day. Special thanks to Billy Daniels Jr., Sam Alloway, the Young Warriors, Autry Johnson, Mark Mackowski, Gail Spaniol, Rachel Keepers, and Krystal Statezny. The dedication each of these people have shown in what they do makes our community a better place!
PTT considers this reception a success with an attendance of around 60 that included students, parents, family members, school administrators and teachers. A debriefing by staff the following week revealed areas where it can improve upon the event and participation. We’re already looking forward to what this year will bring!