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Date Posted: 05:37:16 03/04/08 Tue
Author: Dolora Zajick
Subject: Some things to celebrate
In reply to: WarHorse 's message, "Re: Alternative Energy; Path to Tribal Prosperity" on 14:07:03 02/08/08 Fri

Last February the first opera in Cree was presented in Toronto at the St Lawrence Theater. It was called "The Journey" or " Pimooteewin" It was written and choreographed by First Nation members.
At the turn of the century an opera was written by William Hanson and a Yankton Nakota who called herself Zitkala Sha. She was born Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Though mostly noted for her brilliant literary and political accomplishments, her first love was music and that was the career she wanted to really pursue, but found herslf instead battling the indignities that were inflicted on her people. She was an outspoken critic of the abuses of the BIA, the forced boarding schools, and battled for Native Americans to have the right to vote. She co wrote an opera with William Hanson called "Sun Dance" in 1913. It gained little attention until it was performed in 1937 where it received favorable reviews, not only for the content of the opera, but also the the positive manner in which the Sioux were portrayed. Sadly, both the score and the libretto were lost forever.
I can't help but wonder if now is the time for her voice to be heard again. Opera is a wonderful medium that reaches many cultures. It is a way to share cultures and foster understanding.
I have seen so many positive changes in my lifetime. I remember when as little as thirty years ago, Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics were not allowed to work or be in the casinos where I lived. I remember when a little over forty years ago African Americans couldn't even eat in the same restaurants or ride the front of the bus in the South, and Martin Luther King was considered a trouble maker.
Now for the first time, A woman, An African American and a Mormon were or are serious contenders for the American presidency. In a white man's world, even ten years ago this was unthinkable. This is major progress. I will not pretend that problems still don't exist, nor do I turn a blind eye towards them, but I will say that there are more opportunities for Native Americans than previously, and that Native American Opera could be one of those avenues that would help bring Native American culture to mainstream America.
Personally,I would love to see more Native American opera, written and performed by Native Americans. It would help promote understanding and appreciation for Native American culture. Performing arts can be a powerful educator, and it would be a positive avenue to reverse the process of Native American culture being surpressed by mainstream American culture. Native Americans can bring their culture to mainstream America and influence it.
Operas have been known to influence the course of history on occasion. I hope I see more Native American opera. I think the timing is right and it is a a positive useful tool to improve things.
Dolora Zajick

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