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The History of Native American The first courses in Native American Studies at Sonoma State University
were offered in the fall of 1969, sparked by the efforts of anthropology
professor David Peri. Peri was a Bodega Miwok, and a member of the Olamentko Tribe. He devoted
his career to documenting the heritage of California Native American culture,
and to the enhancement of educational opportunities for his community.
At Sonoma State College, the first NAMS courses were part of an Ethnic
Studies program that year that included 15 classes — from Black Reconstruction
to the History of Mexico, from African government, politics and dance,
to Spanish and Mexican Literature. These first ethnic studies courses
pulled from history, sociology, economics, political science and anthropology
in an inter-disciplinary approach that would be their hallmark and strength
over the years. Peri offered the first NAMS course called Introduction to Native Americans
and moved the story of the Native American experience out from under the
archaeological past. Within it was woven the rich cultural, historical,
legal, social and spiritual issues that have followed Native Americans
to this day. Fellow anthropologist Al Wahrhaftig joined him with a course
offered for many years in Native American sacred and philosophical systems.
During these early years, classes were taught by several Native American
lecturers on a variety of subjects — from linguistics by Shirley
Silver, to folklore and myth by Herminia Menez. Other lecturers included
Dan Bomberry, M. Taylor, Brian Biddy, Manuel Hidalgo, Levell Holmes. From
the Pomo tribe, came Joe, Nicole and Raquel Meyers. In 1981, the university hired a full-time tenured professor to cement
the progress that the NAMS program had made. William H. Smith, a professor
with Pomo and Coast Miwok ancestry, and a local vintner, joined the full-time
faculty from Santa Rosa Junior College to forge the courses into an actual
program. His hiring would allow the program to stand on its own and not
be dependent on social science faculty and lecturers. Smith retired in the late 1980's. To fill his place, came Edward Castillo
who was recruited in 1989 from the California Department of Education
while he was a visiting scholar on campus. He took on much of the instruction
over the years, joined by a variety of lecturers. Castillo, a member of the Cahuilla and Luiseno tribes, is coordinator
of the program now. As his scholarship and stature in the field work of
Native American studies has evolved, so have the NAMS course offerings.
He has been assisted recently by Duane BigEagle, a well known Native American
poet. The NAMS courses can now be used to meet general education units. The
classes are always popular and they draw more than 200 students a semester.
The NAMS minor draws about 25-30 students per year. The courses expand
and refine students' understanding of Native American cultures, history,
philosophy, psychology, traditions, art and customs. The worlds of the
sweat lodge, vision quest, hunting societies and spirit helpers are opened
to students to give them a deep perspective into the culture. Historical aspects of the courses look at the suppression of native religions
due to government policies or Christian missionaries and the cultural
revitalization of the tribal life through repatriation. Since Native American traditions are most often participatory
traditions, students are encouraged to take field trips into the Native
American community and to participate in the design of their learning
experience. Additional courses survey contemporary Native American literature,
poetry, and visual arts. In the fall of 2003, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
gifted $1.5 million to the University to establish an endowed chair in
Native American Studies at Sonoma State. This will lead to a permanent
faculty position for the future development of the Native American Studies
program. — December, 2003 |