The Native American Higher Education Resources collaborated with the English literature mythologies of the world and ethnic studies class on Nov. 4.
The event celebrated Native American Heritage Month with the theme of storytelling at the Winn Center. The event included a blessing led by Al Striplen, a Cosumnes River College Native studies counselor and elder-in-residence, and a beading workshop to create medicinal pouches.
In their Native ways, oral traditions and storytelling are a big part of their culture; it’s something outside of written textbooks or history, and that's why it’s so important, said Crystal Martinez-Alire, a NAHER counselor. “It’s a big part of who we are today and remembering our ancestors and their journey that they were on and the history that they fought to get us to a certain point.”
Shaina Philpot, CRC director of Native American Student Support and Success, said she was most excited about hearing everyone's stories and students feeling safe and comfortable enough to share their stories.
Students and professors shared personal experiences and cultural folk tale stories in different styles, from traditional storytelling to rap performance to using storyboards. Those who told a story were given a gift bag from NAHER.
“I have broadened my horizons, just hearing all these stories from different cultures,” said Katarina Perez, a 21-year-old deaf studies major. “Which was something that was even better than I had expected when I was coming in.”
A highlight was definitely the storytelling, especially Shaina's storytelling, said Esmeralda Solorio Andrade, a 20-year-old business administrative major. “You can really see that she's in a really vulnerable spot when sharing, but it’s very beautiful to see everybody’s differences.”
Philpot said stories are powerful, everyone has a voice and all their voices have power.
“Something that stuck was stories that the elder was talking about, and how we can separate ourselves to broaden our views,” Perez said.
Martinez-Alire said stories are really virtual and often have a connection to the present time.