Class examines American Indian cultures through art

By Jeanine Cardullo, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 15, 1998

A barefoot, bare-chested man stood center stage.

"I will tell you a story," he said. "It is the oldest story I know."

Falling silent, the man told through mime the story "The First Deer Hunt." As Abel Silvas, stand-up comedian and mime, switched seamlessly from American Indian pantomime to deer pantomime, the audience laughed, cheered and clapped as Indian battled beast. And this was just a typical night of class.

Every Tuesday night in Cal State Long Beach's Small Auditorium, students and visitors learn through art a slice of the history of native California Indians.

Students enrolled in American Indian studies 409, "Conduits of California Indian culture: art, music, dance and storytelling," are learning the mediums that American Indians have used through time to transmit culture through the generations. However, what the students are learning cannot be found in any textbook.

Georgina Valoyce-Sanchez, full-time lecturer in the American Indian studies department, is exposing her students to knowledge in an innovative manner.

Class meets regularly, but when compared with traditional lecture, the similarities end.

For this learning experience, the auditorium served as the classroom, the stage served as the chalkboard and the performers served as a lesson many students will not forget.

Each weekly performance consists of different American Indians telling their stories in uniquely personal mediums. This allows students to glimpse into cultures they may not have known existed.

"The dream came about four years ago," said Valoyce-Sanchez of the unique format of her class. "When my father [of the Chumash people] passed, with him went all that history, all those stories. That was the catalyst."

It was at that moment in her life that Valoyce-Sanchez decided she wanted to raise consciousness.

At one point during the class, Silvas stopped, stood still and asked, "What is an Indian?" Reaching behind his head, he pulled off the long black ponytail he had worn throughout the performance, significantly altering his appearance.

Following the performance-oriented part of the class, Silvas led the students in a discussion of the treatment of American Indians that ranged from ancient times to contemporary issues. Many students stood to clap as the class came to an end.

Weekly performances occur every Tuesday night at 6:30, and are open to the public.