Native American Heritage Month is celebrated annually in November, and Angel Covey-Couch – Vice Chief of the United Indigenous Nations of Georgia – shared some insight on how the community can learn about Native American culture and celebrate it.
Accurate storytelling
Covey-Couch began by emphasizing that accurate storytelling is a large aspect of appreciating Native American Culture.
“Read the stories,” she said. “Read the stories correctly.”
She gave an example of inaccurate Native American storytelling in the 1995 Disney animated film, “Pocahontas.”
Rather than being an adult woman running and singing through the forest, said Covey-Couch, Pocahontas – whose real name was Matoaka – was in actuality a young girl who was taken for ransom during the first Anglo-Powhatan War and eventually married a colonist at the age of 17.
“I think it would be great if people would understand the fact that Pocahontas was not that Disney character…The truth about her should be spoken,” said Covey-Couch.
Respectful celebrating
Covey-Couch said that another way to appreciate the culture without disrespecting it is to avoid dressing up as a Native American.
“No feathers in the hair,” she said.
She recalled that she once visited a classroom to speak, while students crafted Native American headdresses out of construction paper.
“Please don’t do that,” she said.
Listening to Native American voices
Covey-Couch said that those who want to learn Native American history and celebrate throughout November should consider inviting a Native American to speak in their schools and places of work.
She said she encourages the public to seek out Native American drum circles, dancers and jewelry makers who are willing to perform and speak for interested groups.
“We’re still living our history,” she said.
History in Augusta
Augusta’s native tribes include the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw and Shawnee tribes.
More information about Native American history in Augusta can be explored locally at the Augusta Museum of History’s Augusta’s Story Exhibit. The museum is open Thursday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm.
No events are currently being advertised in the Greater Augusta area for Native American Heritage Month.
