By Greg Minor
Student Reporter
Oklahoma has the 3rd largest number of tribes in the country with 39 behind Alaska and California. All of these tribes call the sooner state home but only 5 of those tribes are considered indigenous: Osage, Caddo, Kiowa, Camanche, and the Wichita tribe.
Northwestern and its diverse student base shares some native culture around campus and as well as in ranger athletics.
Freshman cross country runner, Journey LeBeau is a part of the Northern Arapaho tribe, where she lives back home on the reservation. Living on the reservation has its ups and downs. “People think that we live on handouts from the government,” LeBeau said. “But that’s not true at all.”
Native receive per-capitas for the use of their land by the government. The land of the reservations may have Oil, coal and other natural gases. So the government pays natives in order to use these fossil fuels for our benefit as a nation.
Rayna Patton whom is a part of the Cheyenne Arapaho tribe said, “Our per capita is starting to go up, it went from like $12 and last year it was at $150. Allowing them to build a new court house on their reservation for the tribe’s government.
Being native isn’t always about the governments pitch in but the traditions. Traditions that go back centuries. Both LeBeau and Patton are from the same tribe as a whole. Both being raised by their families on the reserve have picked up some of their native languages. LeBeau said, “Nii’ooke” [N-yah-kay] meaning good morning.
Some traditions are meant to begin at a young age. LeBeau danced a lot when she was 4 years old. “My mom would make dance in the pow wows,” LeBeau said. “I would do fancy.”
The native culture at times could feel like you’re living in two different worlds. Native humor is something that is significantly different according to LeBeau and Patton. “I catch myself saying native slang here at school,” Patton said. “I look around and some people are just staring at me, so I don’t say anything.”
Being a part of two worlds can still have its perks. McKenzie Billy a Choctaw native and Presley Payahsape who is Kiawa and Creek native receive help financially. Scholarships are given to pay for some of their college each semester.
For those who were here on this land before the United States became the nation it is today, they are still recognized throughout our country. History of the many different native cultures will continue to be in our textbooks and spoken of for many years to come.
Northwestern host’s lectures on Nov. 13 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. for those interested in native culture. The event will be held in IE128. These lectures will be given by Park ranger Kevin Mohr and Minoma Littlehawk-Sills.