Oglala Commemoration Committee: Traveling exhibit 'Bittersweet Winds' 2008

“Bittersweet Winds”
A Traveling Exhibit on Native American Imagery

For one day only, “Bittersweet Winds” will be on display at Webster University in the Sunnen Lounge, Richie Plass, Director of Education of Changing Winds Seminars, Inc. will be on-site during the day of the exhibit.


Monday, November 17, 2008
10:00 am to 7 pm
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood
University Center
Sunnen Lounge
St. Louis, MO. 63119


Assembled in 2006, “Bittersweet Winds” came into existence from a request by Randy Gunter, who owns and operates a graphic arts business in Verona , WI . Gunter has made a state-wide offer to any school in Wisconsin for all the graphic work needed if they make the change of their name and logo if it depicts a Native American name or image. As Gunter was doing his research, he came upon Plass and Changing Winds. He explained to Plass and Christine Rose, “If I could display a small exhibit right here in our lobby showing all aspects of Native American images, I believe this would help school administrators, teachers and the public in general the true process of the use and disrespect in this process.” Thus, the exhibit became a reality.

The exhibit began with two small boxes that carried various documents photos and some craft items. The exhibit now has over 200 items and continues to grow. Plass has had the exhibit in six different states, various college campus' and different communities. Plass says, “I call it the good, the bad and the ugly of how our image has been used since the Europeans landed on the eastern shores of the United States .” He also states how people can now see first-hand, and learn how and why many Native Americans feel no respect when these practices are followed.

An added feature of the exhibit is a questioner in relation to the exhibit. Students and teachers are given copies of the questioner and then they tour the exhibit. Once their time is up, discussion is held. Plass says, “Each item in the exhibit has its own story. Two or three people can view the same item and have totally different opinions about it. This creates great discussions and even some heated debates. My only involvement is to explain what the item is, where it came from and why its in the exhibit. Our main goal for the exhibit is education.”The exhibit is also able to be used as a training tool in diversity, stereotyping and racism.

Schools, community groups, college classes, church groups, any one at all are invited to come and view the exhibit.

For further information, you can e-mail Richie Plass at: richieplass@ yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . You are also invited to view their web site at: www.changingwinds. org “Bittersweet Winds”.


Note: In the past locally we have had some unwelcomed imagery, due to being uneducated. Please make the time to see this exhibit for a better understanding.
Lisa


Oglala Commemoration Committee
PMB 523 - 3023 Hwy K
O'fallon, Mo 63368