On The Road Again!
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.
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DeLanna Studi (Cherokee), as Grace Green in ENCOMPASS’ Compassion Play “Kick.” |
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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.
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| 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. |