BuildaBridge International/Eastern University
Culture and Community Contexts (EU Course)
Arts for Hope Camp
Montana
August 4-15th, 2009
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
- Understanding of the history & development of American Indian Culture
- Experience cross-cultural faith traditions
- Compare local art forms
- Increase awareness of the short & long-term needs of American Indian children & families
- Understanding the nature of poverty & the response to needs growing out of poverty
JULY 28
6:00PM
Orientation with Dr. Corbitt and Guest Lecturers. At the BuildaBridge House. Dr. Chris Hummer, anthropologist with a specialty in Native American Studies, will be speaking on cross-cultural communication attitudes and skills. Please read his article on Native American Art, Putting Art in its Place. Dr. Corbitt is working on an electonic copy of the Cultural Competence Portfolio. Please bring you printed version with you.
JULY 29
5:00 PM
Making Instruments: Training with Dr. Nix-Early and Ron Wonderingfeather.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4th, 2009
Depart Philadelphia Int’l Airport
United Airlines Flight #323 7:43 AM Arriving Denver @ 9:54 AM
United Airlines Flight # 280 11:23 AM Arriving Billings @ 12:52 PM
(Each person responsible for transportation to Philadelphia airport—BE THERE BY 5:30am AM)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4th
Arrive Billings, MT
12:52 PM
Possible meeting with Ben Pepka in Billings.
Depart airport and travel via van to Little Bighorn Battlefield
approx. departure
2:00PM
Meet with Berris Samples and some of his students on the Cheyenne or Crow Reservation. Stay with families on the reservation. confirmed
THURSDAY, August 6th, 2009
800: Breakfast in Homes
900: Department of Indian Affairs–meet with Jennifer Perez Cole of Governor’s office (not confirmed-Jen is on vacation until July 9th, but knows we are coming)
1100: Helena Indian Alliance
Meeting with director, Nicholas C.P. Vrooman who will speak to us about the history and issues of the American Indians in Montana. confirmed
1200: LUNCH
1300: Visits to Holter Museum, where there is currently an American Indian art exhibit made up of contemporary artists. They are expecting us and will give us a guided tour. confirmed
Historic Society Museum (http://montanahistoricalsociety.org/)
possible visits with people in this community(to be confirmed by Jennifer Cole)
1900: DINNER (possibly with host family)
2000: Home stays
GREETINGS FROM MONTANA!!
Here are some fun facts about traveling to Montana from the east coast. be sure to READ EVERYTHING, so you do not have the same surprises that I had.
The air here is extremely dry. In fact, it is so dry that people look at me funny when I ask about humidity. To avoid heat exhaustion, fever, dry skin, sore throat, and fatigue, be sure you do the following as soon as you land:
* Drink plenty of water (Locals suggested we drink twice as much as we do at home)
* Use lotion (try to find one with less fragrance and more moisture)
* Wear sunscreen <—check out the link for a fun video explaining how important this is.
* Drink more water. Not coffee. Not Kool-Aid. WATER!
There is a real disorder called Altitude Sickness
Here are some elevations to note:
Where we are coming from
Chesapeake, VA: 28 FT
Philadelphia elevation: 39 FT
Harrisburg: 524 FT
South Charleston, WV: 597 FT
Where we are going
Helena elevation: 4090 FT
Missoula elevation: 3209 FT
Kalispell: 2971 FT
Bozeman: 4800 FT
Billings: 3932 FT
Since all of us will be at a much higher altitude than we are used to, there are a few things that may happen on the first day or two of our visit. Here are some symptoms:
Headache is a primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although headache is also a symptom of dehydration. A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 meters (8000 feet = 76 kPa), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, can indicate altitude sickness:
* Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
* Fatigue or weakness
* Dizziness or light-headedness
* Insomnia
* Pins and needles
* Shortness of breath upon exertion
* Persistent rapid pulse
* Drowsiness
* General malaise
* Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face).
Symptoms that may indicate life-threatening altitude sickness include:
* pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs):
o persistent dry cough
o fever
o shortness of breath even when resting
* cerebral edema (swelling of the brain):
o headache that does not respond to analgesics
o unsteady gait
o increased vomiting
o gradual loss of consciousness.
Some people experience these symptoms and some have no problems at all. In my own experience, I get dizzy, have a headache, feel sick, have a fever, and have actually fainted. This is mostly due to the fact that I overexerted myself. If you take it easy for the first couple of days, you should be fine while your body adjusts to the altitude.
That is about it for now. Hope you are all getting revved up for the trip. It will be nice to see everyone on Tuesday!
Blessings,
Rebekah
