Museum of Southeast American Indians
The web resource that I selected is the Museum of the
Southeast American Indians. This source
is updated by Tony Wilson and hosted by the University of North Carolina,
Pembroke. The Museum’s website is very
comprehensive and informative. The
Museum of Southeast American Indians is intended to allow the university to expand
its capacity to address complex historical, cultural, and contemporary issues
facing American Indian communities, and more specifically, those Native
American communities throughout North Carolina and the entire Southeast. This is accomplished through
cross-disciplinary collaborations with research, service outreach and
instruction.
The museum through its website serves to educate and
serve the public in areas related to prehistory, history, culture, art and
contemporary issues of American Indians, with special emphasis on Native
American Indians communities of North Carolina and the American Southeast. According to their website, the museum also
exists to engage in scholarly research; protect and preserve material culture;
encourage American Indian artists; and cooperate on a wide range of service
projects among other institutions and agencies sharing a common interest and
concern for American Indians.
After researching the museum and their website, it was
interesting to see and hear some of the realistic testimonials and information,
including artwork, archaeological information and artifacts supporting Native
American heritage and culture. The
website contains a wide variety of information on archaeology of southeastern
North Carolina; Native American health issues; Native American history as well
as contemporary issues.
In going through the information contained on the
website, it was interesting to hear the Native American teachers, more
specifically, teachers who are members of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina,
telling their stories of years and years of education and cultural awareness
among Native American students. I have never really had the opportunity to
fully understand the care concern that Native Americans have for one another
within their tribes. For example, The
Museum of the Southeast American Indian website videos of these teachers
interviews (see link below) express their commitment to the success of each and
every student, and having a positive impact on the lives of each one,
regardless of their capabilities. There
was a strong commitment toward making a difference in their student’s lives,
and it was not as much about the money as it was about enriching the lives of
students. I could not help but compare
this to non-Native American educational experiences, and I think non-Native
teachers and administration could learn a lot from our Native American
neighbors.
Overall, I think the perspective that the Museum of
Southeast American Indians website is intended to convey, is that Native
Americans, and in particular those tribes of North Carolina are still here, and
that they are a proud and loving people, with challenges similar to those faced
by non-Native American people. There
were a number of videoed interviews with leaders of the various tribes, these
interviews gave me a lasting impression of just how similar some of the social,
economical and other challenges that we all face in life, and how we address
those challenges. And most importantly,
it helped me better understand just how much non-Native Americans have to learn
about historical cultures of our Native American neighbors.
The resources on the website help viewers understand
that Native Americans are still here, and that they never left. Equally as important, the site provides
information on the real challenges that tribes faced when being forced off
their land, and how they have rebuilt to resemble a way of living. Activities in the community such as pow wows
are one way of sharing cultures and heritage, and by opening these events to
the public there is a great educational component. This is an opportunity for all independent
communities within the tribes to all come together. Based on the information on the Museum of
Southeast American Indians website, there is a lot on information to help not
only forge a more informed understanding, but to help preserve Native American cultural
geography, and material culture, that without institutions and resources such
as this website might otherwise remain in the shadows of society.
This Museum of Southeast American Indians website also
gives a clear perspective on how proud Native Americans are of their heritage,
and rightfully so. There is an open
expression of who Native Americans are and what they have always represented
throughout history up to modern day.
There is no longer a fear of announcing that you are Native American,
and the website is a resource for conveying this rich traditions and way of
life. Much like non-Native societies,
issues such as aging demographic, poverty, housing assistance, education, all
exist in Native American tribal life.
What I also found interesting on the website is that many of the Native
American initiatives to address the above issues are graciously extended to
non-Native citizens as well.
In summary, some key perspectives that the Museum of
Southeast American Indians website provides are that Native Americans are proud
of their heritage and culture, and are committed to protecting it in the future. This culture is alive and well, and always
has been. There are great similarities
that Native Americans and non-Native people share in today’s society, as well
as historically. Native Americans wish
to work together with the Commission of Indian Affairs to improve the
environment, and preserve natural resources.
Through resources such as the Museum of Southeast American Indians,
Native Americans wish to educate on material culture and history with a rich
variety of historical material items, and art that express spiritual and
traditional heritage of Native American Indians. Perhaps the strongest perspective gained
through the museum and this web resource is the message that Native Americans
are the people, people of the first nations, still strong and growing, living
in the heart of traditions left by ancestors, a fire still burning to be
carried forth for future generations, and most importantly, they have been here
throughout all time.
References:
Wilson,Tony. Museum of Southeast American Indians. University
of North Carolina, Pembroke. 2014. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.
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