Native Culture

By LILLY SEATON
CT INTERN

What began as a small grant grew into a well established program for Native American culture.
At South Haven High School, the Native American Student Association gives students the opportunity to celebrate and express their heritage, share their traditions and educate others about Native American culture. The organization has grown into a lasting part of South Haven community.
NASA was founded about 17 years ago, according to sponsor Twaila Wiley. After connecting with a Native American family who had access to tribal travel memberships and grant opportunities, Wiley applied for funding. Once the grant was approved, the club got started.
Wiley has been a part of this group from the beginning, except for this recent year due to the birth of her granddaughter. She took the job voluntarily to help see it flourish and grow into the significance it has today.
For Wiley, sponsoring the Native American Student Association is personal. As a member of the Southeast Oklahoma Choctaw Nation reservation, she noticed there was little Native American representation in the South Haven community and wanted to create a space where students could celebrate and share their culture.
Originally, the club’s primary goal was to provide Native American students with a place to connect with their heritage. Over time, however, it evolved into a space for everyone, as students without Native American ancestry joined to learn more about their classmates’ cultures and traditions.
The club’s mission cares about inclusivity and education, along with making a safe place for Native Americans to express their culture.
“Anyone can join, that’s part of our goal to help educate others on Native American culture,” Wiley said.
The club began doing a handful of things but has progressed and expanded to become more active.
L.J. Cullens, an incoming freshman, joined NASA even before he entered high school. Cullens wanted to learn more about his native heritage. His ancestors trace back to the Patawomeck, a Virgina-based tribe. He thought NASA would be a great opportunity to learn more.
“I joined because I wanted to learn more about my family Native American heritage,” Cullens said. “I also enjoy spending time with other students, going on educational trips, and learning about different tribes, their history, and their culture.”
Over the years, the club has brought in a variety of cultural representation, including hoop dancers, teepees, storytellers and speakers, all celebrating and learning about Native American history, traditions and culture.
The organization has impacted communities beyond South Haven. It took part in programs this past week in Wichita, including one for latchkey kids and helping with a presentation for the Wichita Art museum.
“We’ve done presentations at nursing homes, Ponca City public schools, Winfield public schools, parades and fairs, all throughout the years.” Wiley said.
Each year, members travel to Medicine Lodge to attend a powwow, a gathering that celebrates native cultures through dancing, singing and drumming. Every three years, students also participate in the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant, a reenactment commemorating the signing of the 1867 treaty.
In addition to just reading about native cultures, Cullens now can experience them through attending powwows, visiting cultural centers, listening to Native American elders and participating in the Medicine Lodge Treaty Pageant reenactment.
Those experiences, he said, have helped him understand the significance of preserving and honoring Native American culture.
“I’ve had a chance to learn about different tribes, make regalia, and experience things I wouldn’t learn in a regular classroom,” he said.