Sept. 30, 2011

Briar Cliff to Co-Sponsor Theater Presentation on Indian School Experience

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Briar Cliff University’s Siouxland Indian Child Welfare Traineeship Project (SICWTP) will co-sponsor “The Great Hurt,” a performance of the Indian Boarding School era at 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at the Orpheum Theater, 518 Pierce Street, Sioux City.

“The Great Hurt” is a readers’ theater drama of historical materials from the Indian Boarding School era presented from multiple perspectives. Performed by people from a variety of backgrounds, the production includes local community members who will read brief descriptions of boarding school life set in different time periods.

The one-hour performance, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a discussion and sharing of stories and experiences. Prior to the performance, a reception to meet and greet the performers will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Four Directions Center, 613 Water Street, Sioux City. All are welcome to this free public gathering. 

“The presentation helps raise awareness of the Indian Boarding School era,” said Heather Craig-Oldsen, associate professor of social work, department chair and director of SICWTP.  “One of our SICWTP trainees, Gwen Vargas-Porter, saw the performance at a national conference and brought the idea of sharing it to our community,” Craig-Oldsen explained. 

“The Great Hurt sheds light on the continuing effects the boarding schools still have today on the Native American school dropout rate, the loss of native languages, high rates of unemployment and substance abuse among native peoples,” said Vargas-Porter, who is a member of the Omaha Tribe and a 2011 Briar Cliff graduate.

The presentation was organized by artist and historian Carl Gawboy, a former teacher of Indian studies at College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota. Gawboy is a member of the Bois Forte Band Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

In addition to Briar Cliff University, other local sponsors of “The Great Hurt” include Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities, Mercy Child Advocacy Center and the University of Iowa Social Work Program.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,150 students from 32 states and 11 countries. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care, compassion and service. For more information, please visit www.briarcliff.edu.