An in-person Herberger Institute Day workshop celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Jadarius Conn in conversation with Dr. Dontá McGilvery

In this interview, Dr. Dontá McGilvery, coordinator for Herberger Institute Culture and Access, talks with Jadarius Conn about his thoughts on why including Indigenous Culture in this year’s Herberger Institute Day experience is a must.

Since its inception in 2017, Herberger Institute Day, also known as HIDA Day, has existed as a day for cross-college collaboration within the Institute. It is a day when students, staff and faculty throughout the Institute join together and participate in artistic and educational workshops offered to the entire HIDA community. Workshop sessions typically involve live music, dance, painting, ceramics, theatre workshops, meditation and more.

According to the Institute’s website, the purpose of HIDA Day is “to bring together the students, faculty and staff of the Institute’s five schools and art museum for a day of creative exploration and conservation with workshops, performances and a community meal.” Herberger Institute community members are welcome to attend various workshops throughout the day, and they also have the option to host a workshop themselves. In other words, we can think of HIDA Day as a more organized and inclusive cookout — which is a good thing.

Despite having access to the cookout (or HIDA Day events), the lingering question on the minds of some Black Indigenous people of color (BIPOC) community members is: Who made the potatoe salad? (intentionally spelled that way in reference to the 2006 movie) and, Can I bring my own dish instead? Stated plainly, can I host the type of workshop I really want to host, or do I have to host a workshop that fits the norms and customs reflected in the White dominant culture of higher education (i.e., the ones who made the potatoe salad). BIPOC and other marginalized community members want to know if they can bring their full selves, their culture, their experiences, knowledge and artistic practices to HIDA Day, which may not look like what they learned in the classroom. And now that HIDA Day returns this fall semester on Nov. 4, in a month that is recognized as Native American Heritage month, one can’t help but wonder if HIDA Day offers a platform for truly diverse learning and entertainment.

Jadarius Conn is one student who will not be waiting around to discover the answer to the question of access on HIDA Day. Instead, Jadarius is taking full advantage of this year’s invitation, which he will use to lead a culturally relevant in-person workshop that centers Native American cultures. By making that kind of move, Jadarius is sending a message that says HIDA Day is not merely a day to participate in unique and exciting events; for BIPOC and other marginalized community members, HIDA Day is an opportunity to present truly diverse cultural and artistic representation. What a profound message. Given that there is a lack of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation in class curriculum, inclusive experiences like the ones Jadarius will be offering can provide a culturally and socially embedded learning opportunity for all who attend the HIDA Day cookout. These inclusive experiences also demonstrate that when we all bring our own dishes to the cookout, we can redefine how we all learn and engage with one another.

Dontá: Jadarius, can you tell me about yourself, how you identify, what your pronouns are, and what tribe you are from?

Jadarius: My name is Jadarius Conn. I am a third year film/media production student in The Sidney Poitier New American Film School. I am currently on the editing track and working with VFX artistry. My pronouns would be he/him/his and I am Native American of the Navajo nation.

Dontá: It’s a pleasure to speak with you, Jadarius. When I heard about the amazing things you’re doing, I was excited. Can you tell us what you will be doing for HIDA Day?

Jadarius: I will be hosting a session called Indigenous Dancers Showcase on Nov. 4, and I will also host an Indigenous Dancers Showcase on Friday, Nov. 5.

Dontá: So awesome. I have heard you use the term “ID’s” when talking about the showcase. Can you tell us what the name “ID’s” means?

Jadarius: The name has three different meanings associated with it:

1) Interpretation: It can be interpreted as Indigenous Dancers.

2) Identification. This is essentially for Native people. I ask: What does your identity mean? What does it mean to be Native American? What does it mean to be your tribe, your people? Beyond that, it is also a question for the public regarding how an individual identifies themselves as a Herberger Institute student.

3) Ideas: The last part is about ideas — like, I have an idea. I ask the question: What ideas do you have? We are all creative and have ideas.

Dontá: Brillant. This sounds so amazing. I remember hearing you were going to host a Powwow. Are you no longer doing that, and can you tell us what a Powwow is?

Jadarius: Yes, I was going to do a Powwow, but I changed the name to Indigenous Dancers Showcase due to the fact that many elements it takes to perform a traditional Powwow will not be observed; this will take place the day after HIDA Day. In a traditional Powwow, the dancers would dance in various categories within competitions and they would get paid through that competition. But obviously we can’t give out money. As far as what is a Powwow, a Powwow is a celebration and gathering of Native American culture in the United States. People gather for singing, dancing and celebration of their tribal ancestors and cultures.

Dontá: Why is “ID’s” important to present on HIDA Day?

Jadarius: November is Native American Heritage month. So, it is the time for all tribal nations to be recognized for their resilience and devotion to thriving in a world that has challenged them, that has challenged us, for hundreds of years. So, in celebration of the month, I wanted to give recognition to the tribes here because it’s not my land, of course, even though I am Native American it’s not my land; it’s another tribe’s land. And I believe that Native Americans are misrepresented and underrepresented in all aspects of life — in American culture.

Dontá: What do you hope people walk away with after attending your session?

Jadarius: I want them to, to use an example from “The Wizard of Oz,” [to be able to] look behind a curtain to see how the United States represents us versus how we actually represent us — because, who better to represent us than us? So I hope [people] will be able to walk away with a new sense of understanding and a more open and developed mind towards Native Americans.

Dontá: That is very well said. There are many shows depicting BIPOC communities by way of false representation. What time will your session take place?

Jadarius: The Indigenous Dancers Showcase of Herberger Institute Day takes place Nov. 4 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. You can also join the Indigenous Dancers Showcase, which begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5 at the Nelson Fine Arts Plaza.

Dontá: What can students expect to see and do in your session at HIDA Day?

Jadarius: The first half will be a history of the dance that is being presented and the cultural and spiritual explanation as to why it’s being done.The second half will be the actual presentation with the drummers/singers, and dancers.

Dontá: Who is invited to join?

Jadarius: Anybody is welcomed to this event no matter the background.

Dontá: Anything else you want people to know as we end this insightful discussion?

Jadarius: Yes, I want to say that although you will see dancers, and hear songs, this is our culture and this is people’s everyday life. It is art, but it’s bigger than art; it is our everyday experience.

Dontá: Well stated. Thank you, Jadarius, for hosting these two events.

Here are some ways to celebrate and support Native American Heritage Month:

1. Attend the Indigenous Dancers Showcase at Herberger Institute Day on Thursday, Nov. 4. Register for the event here.
2. Join the Indigenous Dancers Showcase Friday, Nov. 5 from 5–8 p.m. on the Nelson Fine Arts Plaza.
3. Read “Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Dos and Don’ts”
4. Purchase “Indigenous Placekeeping: Campus Design + Planning,” a powerful proposal to redesign the campus to reflect Indigenous culture by Wanda Dalla Costa, Institute Professor in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, and her students. Proceeds support scholarships for Native American students. Read more about the publication here.