Three American Indians visited campus Monday and Tuesday tocombine their traditions and art with lessons on living.
From 11 a.m. until around 3 p.m., the American Indians talked atthe mt cup.
They spoke on art and music. They described how the subjects gotthem through tough times, and they explained why people need artand music education in the classroom.
John Rich, a painter and poet, first greeted the crowd of around30 students and talked briefly of his time in prison atPendleton.
At Pendleton, Rich used art to create an imaginary escape.
He sometimes felt guilty, he said, because he didn't feel likehe was in prison.
He began to write poetry because he feared his paintings wouldbe taken away or he would not get adequate supplies, Rich said.
On Monday and Tuesday, he shared his poetry and paintings thathe created in prison.
"Art and music is very vital to the soul," Rich said. "Art andmusic is important to humans and should be taught at schools."
Rich is now a published, award-winning poet who has appeared ontelevision and public radio.
His greatest reward, he said, is a piece of fan mail hereceived. The mail showed that his work made a difference insomeone's life.
While in prison, Rich attended a Ball State program that offereda college education to prison inmates. Rich earned his master'sdegree in English and minored in anthropology.
John Sisson also spoke to students, but he chose to focus onmagic, medicine paths and their relations to music.
"It's very magical to be alive," Sisson said. "It's a verymagical thing to be here."
Sisson spoke of American-Indian medicine paths. Sisson said thateverything, from animals to humans, have a path they follow forsurvival.
"Native Indians thought they were the weakest of all animalsbecause of their need for clothes and fire," Sisson said.
Because of the medicine path, Sisson said, American Indiansthank the animal that died so that one could live.
Through this idea, he created the music connection.
"Music has a lot of power," Sisson said. "It has the possibilityto heal."
He ended the day by speaking about his philosophy on living.
"How you treat others and being kind sets up a resonance thatradiates to others," he said.
Mike Clement spoke on Tuesday about his family background andhis artwork.
"Art is something I know I have to do," Clement said.
Pam Gard, the instructor of multicultural education whoorganized the visit, said the two-day presentations went verywell.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
