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--> --> Native Americans end month of celebration By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings For the last month, the Native American Student Union at Southern Oregon University has hosted an array of public events to celebrate Native American Month. As April draws to a close, NASU volunteers end the month of cultural awareness with a sundown ceremony. "All Native American ceremonies have a beginning, a middle and an end," said David West, program coordinator for Native American studies. The month began with a sunrise ceremony, followed by activities throughout April including a drum and dance exhibition, a North American stick game competition between SOU and the University of Oregon, (which the University of Oregon forfeited), and an annual salmon bake event. In the midst of these activities, NASU found time to host the 10th annual Spring Powwow on April 13 and 14. The Powwow offered community members a chance to learn more about the Native American culture through music, dance, communication and art. Powwow's have traditionally been times for Indian people to come together to renew old friendships and make new ones. "We've tried to provide a sense of family - especially for those who have come a long ways," said Phil Albers, co-chair for NASU. Music from host drum Northern Eagle of Chico, Calif., was featured among other drum performers. As the music and dancing continued, community participants had the opportunity to view a wide variety of Indian arts, handmade crafts and jewelry. The Powwow was not just about one culture, it provided an experience for the community to gather and share their lives and cultures, according to Albers. To celebrate the end of a month dedicated to Native American awareness, NASU organizers held their sundown ceremony Tuesday night to end what had began. The brief ceremony's purpose was to reflect over the last month and give thanks to those who made it all possible. The ceremony concluded with a musical performance known as "vocables" to Native Americans. The songs were not composed of words but they were not necessarily chants either. "It's an expression of our feelings - our emotions are so strong you can't put them into words," Albers said. Albers went on to explain that different Native American groups refer to the unique songs as languages of the trees or mountains. Vocables are unique to every native culture and have the ability to express different messages and thoughts through their emotional presentations. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing