The Chautauqua Express Arrives in Manchester
On the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving break, the students at Klager Elementary were treated to a special Native American assembly by Guy Louis, sponsored by the PTO. Guy has been performing his musical series, called the Chautauqua Express, since 1986.
Combining Native American beliefs, songs, and culture with the Thanksgiving holiday, Guy Louis brought song and dance to the Klager gym on Tuesday. He taught the students about seven essential Native American beliefs while singing songs and displaying authentic Native American instruments. He indicated that the concept of “Giving Thanks” is a Native American tradition and was seen long before the first Thanksgiving in Native American ceremonies rich in dance and song. Indeed, every belief that was taught included a song exhibiting that belief.
The seven beliefs included ideas such as everything is connected in a great web of life. The students learned that “Mitakuye Oyasin” translated means “we are connected”. A Native American may call out to a bird or another creature “Mitakuye Oyasin!”
He then accentuated the belief that Humans are a part of Nature and everything is connected. We must therefore walk in Balance with Nature because all parts are connected. Whatever affects one part, affects them all.
Guy sung and chanted about the concept of Earth being our “Mother”. Native Americans were quick to realize that everything that they had comes from the Earth. Today, the association is much further away and a harder concept to grasp for children. Our water does not come directly from a stream, but from a bottle or the kitchen tap. Some children only associate the food that we eat with the grocery store, not as being grown from the soil. It is more difficult to see that the earth provides for us and that we must take care of and protect the earth.
Guy emphasized that Native Americans considered how any decision would affect the seven generations that came after them. Every decision was made, thoughtful of how it would be accepted 150-200 years in the future. He stressed how important the children of today are and asked the students to bring special talents to the world “to serve not only the people, but the animals and the natural environment of air, water, and soil.”
Guy explained that there is a great diversity among Native Americans with over 500 Native American tribes that speak over 300 languages. He went on to state that they all have similar beliefs and all have contributed to the world as we know it. Every culture has many gifts for the world and for each other. Every person is important.
During the performance, he brought out a variety of instruments, including a hand-made drum, a buffalo rib shaker, a turkey bone flute, an acoustic and an electric guitar (and taught them the difference between the two) and another Native American flute.
There are three requirements for a Native American instrument: 1) It needs to make sound, 2) One must be able to play it, and 3) it must be made to look beautiful. He talked about each one and how it is used, bringing students to the front of the audience to touch the instruments and use them. He explained that the person who had the buffalo rib shaker was considered the best dancer and then chose a student to dance for the group.
Mrs. Mayes, the school principal, indicated that the assembly combined nicely with her respect circle lesson this week of being thankful, and many students learned the history of the first Thanksgiving this week as well. The assembly was sure to cement some of these lessons for the children.
The students were engaged with every song. They eagerly participated and there was laughter, excited chatter, and many smiles during the assembly. Teachers and students alike enjoyed the Chautauqua Express, so if your child came home that day singing, “he ga ho ga he ga ga”, now you know why.
Guy Louis performs eight different cultural and educational assemblies for elementary-aged children that complement curriculum and school themes, as well as performing family/community concerts. For more information on Guy Louis, please visit his website at http://www.guylouis.com.
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