2007

PROFILE Ei k I~ -

6. THE SCOTI COUNTY TIMES

1bele students curently 18M• oftlcerl M the Nlthe Ameftcan Club at East Central Convnunlty ColleCe In Dec:lltur. Pic> tweet are (front row, from left) Genlklne DeMon, ,.,..,, M Clrthaee; ChrlltinllllomM, ~ taryjtre.nr, M Phlllcletphla; lnd Mary Youlef, W. dllel, M ClrthiCe; lnd (11-=k row, from left)Shermln .....dllef,M Sebeltopot; lnd Delynn AIM, INidlm chief, M Phlldllphla. Qlorta Johnlon lnd Gill Wood 18M. club eponiOI'L

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SPECIAL TO THE TIMES/ECCC, BUSBYJOHNSTON

CLUB From Page3

have one thing on their mind: stickball. The traditional game is played by 30 members on each team who use two hicko– ry sticks with cups attached at the end and a stickball made of leather. The often-brutal game is "no laughing matter" among Native Americans, Thomas said. Male and female players wear no padding or safety equipment and often suffer from br uises, cuts, sprains and broken bones. Players carry on with pride despite any injuries, however. "It's not for money," said Thomas. "It's played for pride, for honor and for brag– ging rights for the communi– ty. The losing teams say 'there's always next year."' Fair week also brings the crowning of a new Choctaw Indian princess. Young women compete in a pageant where they are judged on eveningwear, ability to speak fluent Choctaw, interview and traditional clothing. Each year, a new princess is chosen to serve as an ambassador of the tribe. The princess works closely with Chief Phillip Martin and attends most Choctaw func– tions. The Native American Asso– ciation meets once a week at ECCC and brainstorm on ideas for fund-raisers and community service.

As part of their effort to improve the college and the community; members helped clean a gazebo area near the college's library and also held a canned food drive to benefit the elderly. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, some association members trav– eled to the coast to help with clean up. Association members thanked East Central for allowing them to host the Pow Wow, which they hope will become an annual event. "If it wasn't for Joe Killens' help, it wouldn't have worked out," Shoemake said. Though membership and participation in the associa– tion seems to be declining, some students are deter– mined to keep the organiza– tion and the traditions of their culture alive. They are most concerned about younger generations learning the Choctaw lan– guage. "Less and less young people T are usinglhe language," said

feathers, buckskin, bells and diamonds. ·~s a tribe we have our own social dancers and we show– case traditional, cultural dancers," explained Christi– na Thomas, secretary and treasurer of the association. The dances also honor those who have served time in war, a feat given the high– est respect in the Choctaw culture. Consolations, or gifts, were given to the dancers, and the head male and female dancers were honored during the ceremony. The PowWow featured tra– ditional Native American food including Indian tacos, which are made of fried bread. In accompanying American foods, cheeseburg– ers were also served. Traditionally; Native Amer– icans are known for eating staples like hominy; pork, venison, rabbit and squirrel "We are very active in hunt– ing and fishing," Shoemake said. Choctaw foods, arts, sports and culture go on display each summer during the annual Choctaw Indian Fair held on the Choctaw Reserva– tion near Philadelphia. Each year when the fair rolls around, tribe members

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Shoemake. "I'm afraid that within 10 to 20 years, it may have diminished. We don't know what it's going to be like." By encouraging other - Native Americans to take an active role in the club, Thomas said she hopes to keep the ball running. Club sponsors are Gail Wood and Gloria Johnson.