Cameron University Hosts Native Conference

Cameron University (CU) held the Native American Cultural Studies Conference from Thursday, March 23, through March 25 at the McMahon Centennial Complex in the McCasland Ballroom.

The event began with a presentation from coordinator Eleanor McDaniel about her family history and medicine women.

There were Comanche Hymns sung before there was a flute presentation.

Sam DeVenney gave a language lesson and shared old photographs.

Cindy Famero held a zoom with Richard Moves camp about Sweat Lodges.

On Friday, March 24, SIA Founder and Director William Voelker shared the story of Yahpahchony, hatched in 2016.

Afterward, a fashion show featured the history of the ribbon skirt.

Native royalty also walked in the show, including CIVA Princess Arlene Schonchin.

She said these events are good for people to come and learn about Native American history.

“These events are important for the communities, for people to have an opportunity to come and learn about our Comanche history and just what we do in our community,” Schonchin said.

She said the community could stick together by spreading the culture.

“Very happy that we had this conference and just so we can like spread our culture and just learn about our history,” Schonchin said.

She said she learned something new at the conference.

“It’s about our buckskin I didn't know that the women back that they used to have these sleeves shorter, but like now they have them longer. So, I didn't know about that,” Schonchin said.

Then there was gourd dancing to end the day.

On Saturday, March 25, there was a moccasin-making class, and the day was focused on the arts.

McDaniel is full Comanche and is also retired military.

She said Oklahoma is a gathering place of culture.

“Oklahoma is Native America and we've got close to what between 80 and 100 different tribes located here in Oklahoma,” she said. “And of course, many, many other tribes represented here in Oklahoma. They come from all over the West, the East, the North, the South. They kind of all come in and live with us. And so, it's just a big mesh of culture and tradition and all beautiful, all very beautiful. Each one of these tribes has their own culture, their own language, their own traditions. And we just kind of just all mesh together.”

McDaniel said she was immersed in heritage from a young age.

“And we, you know, live the Comanche way and I just learned to appreciate it. And growing up, I kind of took it for granted,” she said. “But once I got older, I began to appreciate, you know, where I came from, who I was, what my heritage was, and what my culture was. And I found it was beautiful, very beautiful. And not only was it just our culture and our traditions, but also our spirituality, you know, that kind of winds itself throughout whatever we do, our ways and our traditions.”

McDaniel said CU’s Native American Student Association played a part in bringing the event to Cameron.

“They're trying to promote education among our Native American students here on campus and trying to promote their tribal culture. And so, they're doing what they can and they needed some help,” she said. “And I have a program, it's called the Native American Cultural Studies Program. And I've had this for more than 20 years, where I teach how to make moccasins, how to bead work, how to make buckskin dresses, how to make the women's leggings. And so, we're both, you know, into teaching and learning and sharing. And so, we just kind of came together and put this event together.”

McDaniel said the event was the first of its kind, and it went off really well due to teamwork.

There were vendors from western states and Oklahoma at the event.