Tribal College students present Indian Radio Days
Students from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College used satire and comedy to address past and current Native American issues to an audience Monday in the Park Library Auditorium.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., members of Sarah Prielipp's public speaking class at the college presented Indian Radio Days, a readers theater play by Leanne Howe and Roxy Gordon. The presentation was a way for the Prielipp's students to practice a public speaking activity for an unknown audience while contributing to Native American Heritage Month.
Native American Programs Director Colleen Green said the class was asked to perform a readers theater event last year for Indigenous People's Day, and the reception was so positive that they have returned for another event.
"It went over so well that she contacted me again," Green said. "This year, she had the anthology that she pulled from. It provides them a place to present their new found gift for communication."
In the play, the students used satirical remarks, accents and jokes to address common and historical issues Native Americans have faced and are facing today, such as disputes over origin stories, colonization and Plymouth Rock, Native American participation in wars, assimilation and Native American depiction in films.
As the host of a the play's fictional radio show moved from one historical encounter to the next, students drew laughs from the audience by bringing to life common negative stereotypes against Native Americans through their reading.
Andrew Black, a second year student at the Tribal College and a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, said the class did a quick read through of all the material before volunteering for the parts they would like.
"I personally enjoyed the material," Black said. "I think having a bit of comedy while trying to address serious issues is a great way to get the message across. As long as people can see the real issue at hand, I think we've done our job."
Fellow classmate Nicholas Vasquez said the play is important to share with Central Michigan University students to bring more awareness to current issues Native Americans are facing.
"I've met people who have never even met a Native American," he said. "It's just to get awareness that we're out there. We're going through a lot of problems."
Morgan Earby, a senior from Romulus, said she enjoyed the format of the play and that is was more creative than a basic lecture. A Multicultural Advancement and Lloyd M. Cofer Scholar, Earby said she attended the play for its diversity aspect.
"I think it's good that people come to these events to learn more about cultural diversity," Earby said. "There was more entertainment, but it also got the point across that it is something important. Just like every other minority group, there are issues that need to be looked at."
