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BRIMLEY - Brimley students may no longer have the opportunity to view and participate in the school pow wow if the Brimley School Board agrees with the personal opinion of Board member Cindy Ojala. Ojala made her opinion of the Brimley Schools pow wow public record at the school board meeting held on Monday, Jan. 16, denouncing the practice.
"Quite a lot of people expressed concern about this [the pow wow] being an idol worship situation," said Ojala, "These kinds of things, including all day Halloween parties, need to be re-thought."
Ojala's comments came on the heels of a presentation made by Indian Education Coordinator Adel Easterday about the importance of the pow wow to the student body and the community.
Easterday's presentation included a history of pow wows and explanation to the board that the event is not a religious one, but one that is designed to be a social gathering.
"The miscommunication about pow wows can be attributed to the stereotypes that Warner Bros. and MGM have created. These need to be broken down," said Easterday.
Easterday also added that she has seen a rise in the self-esteem of Native students when they are able to answer the questions peers have about their culture in a relaxed environment.
While Ojala thanked her for her explanation, she said she did not feel that pow wows are worthy of school time or money.
"Our $28,000 a day can be better spent on things such as academics," she said. "With budget concerns on the table, academic instruction is our primary concern."
The pow wow situation recently came to the agenda of the School Improvement Committee as parents had approached the administration with concerns that their children did not want to attend the event. School policy is that parents make the choice as to what programs their children will or will not be attending, usually notifying the school by a letter or keeping them home that day.
Easterday, who is chair of the committee, said that improved communication between the school and parents could help avoid this type of situation.
"Pow wows bring a lot of people into the school," said Easterday. "It's a social gathering, there is dancing, food and people making friends."
Ojala said she would support such an activity occurring after school, but not during school time or with school dollars.
"Students are not deprived of opportunities such as these," she said, referring to the fact that Brimley School lies within walking distance of the Bay Mills Indian Community, which holds a pow wow annually.
Easterday said she understands the concerns of Ojala and others about Michigan students keeping up academically, but believes that learning is fun.
"If you go too far with your focus on academics and put a halt to pow wows, Halloween parties and Christmas games, you run the risk of losing some students," she said. "You shouldn't have to give up art, music, sports, dance, and culture for science, math, and history."
At press time Brimley Superintendent Alan Kantola confirmed the pow wow will go on as planned this year. Last year was the first year the pow wow was held at the school. Brimley's student body is currently more than 50 percent Native American.
