Idea--Art or No?

Red Road

The Red Road Conference brings awareness and diversity to the University of South Dakota campus annually every year. I was able to attend for the second consecutive year, on September 27, 2007. When I was first required to attend this conference, I was completely unaware of what to expect, this was all different upon returning for the second year. Red Road presents about topics that affect people from all walks of life, no matter what their culture. I see it as a very valuable learning tool, as a Social Work major, for the simple fact that the conference presenters talk about topics that are not always acknowledged in society and show how they are dealt with in the Native American culture. As with many parts of Native American culture, this informative conference also takes on an art aspect. Between speakers, the true feeling of the Native American culture is felt through the playing of the drum. Eight men sat around this drum and played the same beat without thought, as they sang in what I presume to be a Native language. For me, the true feeling of their culture came in the varying intensities of their playing and singing, in some parts the sound was very loud and almost overwhelming, while in others it suddenly got quiet. Even while observing the room, the pride and cohesiveness of the Native American people can be seen. While the men played and sang at the drum, various men and women stood around the room and around the drummers themselves swaying to the beat and singing the native songs. To me, this form of art—singing and instruments—is the most powerful, the feelings and beliefs put into the art form are obvious and can be seen first-hand. Unlike a photograph or drawing, the musical art form is changing as it happens. Red Road is not only an educational event about societal issues and their effects; it also educates and opens minds to the culture, music, and beliefs of the Native people.

Posted at 10:45AM Oct 03, 2007 by Jacey L Mohr in General  |  Comments[1]