Performers teach about Indian culture, heritage
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 09/11/2008
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When most people think of hula hoops, they're usually not thinking of symbols related to Native American cultures, but for most American Indians this has been going on for a long time.
Emphasizing cultural and tribal themes is something American Indian Kevin Locke has been doing for more than 20 years.
Locke will be performing at 8 p.m. Friday in Loeb Playhouse, along with Mary Wilson, an American Indian storyteller. Together they will perform dances, play instruments and tell stories about the Dakota and Lakota Sioux Indian tribes.
"I try to convey or create an awareness to extend an emphasis on tribal themes," Locke said.
Locke does this by performing a visionary hoop dance and playing the northern plains flute.
Along with Locke, Mary Wilson is the recipient of the Heritage award, which considers them to be national living treasures.
Laura Clavio, assistant director of Purdue Convocations, said many of the things they represent on stage are symbols of more important things.
"There are a lot of stories in their cultural dances that is a message of peace and unity among all people," Clavio said.
Interest in bringing Locke to Purdue started when a grant was given to the school from the National Endowment for the Arts.
According to Clavio, one of the reasons they decided to bring Locke and Wilson to campus was to help promote Purdue's new Native American Culture and Education Center. The purpose of the center is to address issues and concerns of American Indian students.
Kevin Locke got started with performing around various schools and theaters, thanks to the South Dakota Arts Council.
Now Locke's been to more than 85 countries and has won national awards for his work trying to teach people about his heritage.