ENCOMPASS Staff Blog

Part Two of Three Parts

On October 10, 2007 DeLanna and I departed Los Angeles for Central Wisconsin with a packed tour schedule. We would be doing three shows in three days and then participate in protest against the Washington Redskins who would be playing the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. “Kick” was booked at UW Oshkosh for a group of Native high school youth who were visiting the campus; the Gresham school, a K-12 public school; and finally, at the first annual conference “Examining Choices That Harm Our Children: Why We Should Question the Washington Redskins, Stories About Columbus, and Other Race-Based Entertainment and School Traditions.”

All of the shows went really well! We had an exceptional turn out for the performances at UW Oshkosh and at Gresham. Although both of these audiences were somewhat quiet and hard to get to participate in the post show discussions, we could all tell that these youth audiences got A LOT from seeing the show. It was amazing to look out into the crowd and see the “wheels spinning” in the minds of these teenagers. Truly, most of them were thinking more deeply about stereotypes and questioning their use for the first time.

Early morning October 13, 2007 before the performance of “Kick” for conference participants at the Oneida Nation Parish Hall.

For the conference on Saturday, October 13th an incredible group of educators, activists, parents, students and community leaders would be in attendance. This was the show I was most looking forward to. My excitement was specifically around the opportunity to meet someone I had been wanting to meet for years – Dr. Stephanie Fryberg (Tulalip), a Social Psychologist currently teaching at the University of Arizona (link).

Dr. Fryberg conducted a study that reveals that exposure to modern day stereotypical images of “Indians” (e.g. Disney’s Pocahontas) significantly lowers the self-esteem and self-efficacy of Native youth. While I worked with the Alliance Against Racial Mascots (ALLARM) for a few years on getting legislation enacted in California to abolish the use of all American Indian mascots from public schools (and by the end of the 2004 legislative session, ONLY the use of “Redskins” mascots), we used Dr. Fryberg’s data while lobbying Assembly Members and Senators. Her research assisted us in our efforts by refuting arguments that this issue was just about political correctness. We had proof that these stereotypes cause harm and that was able to take our conversations to a new level with those who disagreed with the movement.

	At the end of the conference, Juliana Serrano, Dr. Stephanie Fryberg and DeLanna Studi were presented with traditional Oneida hand-woven baskets filled with many more gifts such as sweet grass and sage.

The plan was to have ENCOMPASS present “Kick” before Dr. Fryberg presented her research findings to the conference participants. What a cool collaboration (of sorts)! And, so we did. “Kick” was very well received and the audience was engaged in a very passionate and emotional post show discussion facilitated by Barbara Munson. Most members in the audience shared about how they have been personally affected by these images, and their experience fighting this issue at the state and local level. As a result of the positive experience, many audience members approached us about coming back to Wisconsin in the near future to bring “Kick” to their school or group, and even Dr. Fryberg herself (who so kindly insisted that we all call her Stephanie), suggested that we work something out and come to Arizona one day soon!

Part One of a Three Part Series

DeLanna Studi (actress, “Kick”) and I just returned from a five-day journey in Wisconsin. It was not our first time there. Actually, this trip was our fifth ENCOMPASS Compassion Plays “Kick” tour and we were there just four months ago! Twice in a year! Whew. Wisconsin has started to feel just like home.

Wisconsin? You may ask. Yes. Let me explain. There is some history.

	DeLanna Studi (Cherokee), as Grace Green in ENCOMPASS’ Compassion Play “Kick.”

The state of Wisconsin, like California and almost every other state in our union, has questioned the use of American Indian mascots and logos used by public schools. Efforts to change these mascots in Wisconsin have occurred at the local level, as well as by the state government as there have been several (unsuccessful) attempts to pass legislation prohibiting their use in public, K-12 schools. Given that “Kick” has become such an incredibly valuable tool to educators and activists over the years who wish to question and challenge stereotypes, The Munson family has worked hard to make it possible for this ENCOMPASS Compassion Play to come to Wisconsin from time to time. Through the past five tours, we have brought “Kick” to numerous University of Wisconsin campuses, many high schools (including one high school which uses an American Indian mascot and has been the focus of media attention for their refusal to change), the Wisconsin Indian Education Association annual conference, and several American Indian Studies Summer Institute’s sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Moments before “Kick” begins at the Oneida Nation Turtle School for the American Indian Studies Summer Institute Sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, June 29, 2006.

People often ask us if there is any way to view the plays before deciding to book one for their school, organization or group. In the past , potential clients had to attend a preview show.

Now we have another tool for helping to get the word out about the program and help folks get a better understanding of the content of the shows.

We’re proud to announce that we have completed our first set of video trailers for our Compassion Plays program. Staff member Ben Wright worked hard to put these together to help promote the program. Unfortunately we can’t include the facilitated discussions that occur before and after the play – we want to respect the privacy of our participants. So just remember you are seeing part of the play and only half the program!

Check them out: http://www.encompass.org/videos/