OKMULGEE, Okla.- The College of the Muscogee Nation has been hosting stomp dance can-making workshops to raise awareness of the importance of culture in substance abuse prevention. The weekly workshops began April 2 and run through May 17, and are taught by MCN citizen April Harley.
CMN’s Case Manager/Title IX Coordinator Health and Wellness Lisa Bear (Mvskoke/Choctaw) organized the workshops for students and citizens that would like to learn how to make stomp dance cans. The workshops are funded through a culture and prevention grant that focuses on cultural foundations that can be used in substance misuse prevention and encourage mental wellness.
“Within the Mvskoke culture when participating in the ceremonial grounds, whether you are camping or visiting, individuals must abstain from alcohol and drugs. The importance of culture in prevention not only teaches “good” coping skills when individuals are struggling with abstaining from substance misuse and helps them focus on the positives (healthy mindset), whether they are making it for themselves or another,” Bear said.
Bear is glad to be able to have Harley on board to share her knowledge with the community. Harley, who is Hvlpvtvlke (Alligator Clan) and stomp ground is Weokufke (Muddy Waters), was known to Bear from the grounds and noticed that Harley’s stomp dance cans have been used every weekend by different individuals at dances. “I am networking all the time, whether it is during work or after, because our tribal community carries so much knowledge. I am grateful to play a small role in the preservation of our ways,” Bear said.
“The stomp dance can making workshop began some years ago, when our college students asked about how to get stomp dance cans for the upcoming stomp dances. Through my job and community connections, I was able to visit April Harley and found out she makes stomp dance cans, so I asked her if she could hold a workshop to show others how to make their own pair too. April makes stomp dance cans out of necessity, meaning she makes them for herself and others to be used during the summer. The more they are used, wear and tear requires upkeep and replacements,” Bear said.
According to Bear, the can-making workshops came about through student requests and the awareness that learning these skills would ensure that they are passed down to future generations by being able to teach their daughters and younger women.
Bear even has her own personal experience with the importance of passing this knowledge to her future generation. She shared, “My turtles were given to me by my grandma and consisted of my mom’s and aunt’s turtles (this is what my grandma told me). I wore them in my younger days and now have passed them to my daughter.”
Maintaining the shells are also part of the cultural foundation. “I had learned to maintain the turtles by replacing busted shells as needed and as my daughter grew, added additional turtles and string them to new boots. The time and effort I put into the turtles or skirts for my daughter or nieces brings me joy and peace knowing they are continuing our ways at the grounds,”Bear said.
“This workshop is labor intensive, in my opinion, but the results are, each individual that completes a set will be able to maintain, teach, and possibly make another pair for their daughter or another young woman.”
Bear enjoys this community driven work. She shared that working with the tribal community was a calling for her and that working at CMN has fostered a tribal community connection. “I see this as connecting the community to the community. Hosting workshops like this makes me think of family gatherings (food and laughter). During these workshops there has been a potluck during each workshop, because why not! During another workshop a connection was made by a participant and the can instructor to go beyond our reservation, into Seminole Nation to share some cultural workshops there. Connecting the community to the community!”
Currently, the classes are full with 72 individuals set to participate. For more information about upcoming community events and workshops you can follow the College of the Muscogee Nation Facebook page. For any questions about the CMN Health and Wellness, contact Lisa Bear at 918-549-2800 or email at Health@cmn.edu
