November 11, 2023 - Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month by kcindependent

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month ESTABLISHED 1899 | KANSAS CITY’S JOURNAL OF SOCIETY | KCINDEPENDENT.COM | NOVEMBER 11, 2023 | $3.00

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ESTABLISHED 1899 | KANSAS CITY’S JOURNAL OF SOCIETY | KCINDEPENDENT.COM

REMEMBER WHEN – 35 Years Ago

eatrice Rivas Sanchez, president of the Kansas City Art Institute, receives the oath of office from Ross O. Swimmer, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, as she becomes a member of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development. She was nominated by President Reagan and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, one of fifteen leaders in the arts, education and business communities from throughout the U.S. The official swearing-in ceremonies were held on the campus of the College of Santa Fe. Reprinted from the July 23, 1988 issue of The Independent.

THE INDEPENDENT (USPS 260-700) is a magazine of distinguished society, chronicling clubs, sports, and the cultural events scene with complete coverage in Kansas City’s preferred buyer’s market. Published bi-weekly except for December 2023 when we publish the second and third Saturdays. Published by The Independent Magazine L.L.C., Kansas City, Missouri, and Periodicals Postage Paid at Kansas City, Missouri. The Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material submitted for publication, including photographs. The publisher expressly prohibits the mutilation of this publication and the sale of individual clippings, articles or photographs there from whether or not item is sold in its original form or in combination with any other product, process or article. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. Copyright by The Independent Magazine L.L.C. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. The Independent POSTMASTER: please send address changes to The Independent, 2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120, Prairie Village, KS. 66208.

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 3

In The Spotlight Alex Wilson

he Carl J. DiCapo family will serve as honorary chairs for the annual Salvation Army Christmas Committee this year, to honor the memory of the emeritus board member. Thirty years ago, Carl DiCapo served as the co-chair for the committee, which helps to raise funds for critical programs and services during the holiday season. He was also instrumental in creating the Salvation Army Food Box program, which provided provisions for a holiday meal to families in need. The ofﬁcial kick off to the Salvation Army Kettle Season is November 15th.

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Jack DiCapo, Anita “Sugie” DiCapo, and John David DiCapo, honorary chairs (out of camera range) Carl Michael DiCapo, honorary chair

Leave it up to the lovely Sharon Franke to start a beloved tradition that is now the much-anticipated and much-loved event of the fall in celebration of the current BOTAR president! The Presidents’ Dinner is a chance to toast the president right before the Ball, and it is a chance for her to share just a few pieces of enticement for attending the Ball. Surrounding Nancy Wilkerson with open arms and hearts were past BOTAR presidents Paula Longan, Tracy Tetrick, Stephanie Kissick, Joanie Kissick, Carrie Larson, Jenny Tuttle, Mandy Burditt, co-host; Amy Polen, co-host; Georganne Hall, Blythe Robertson, Vicky Leonard, Blythe Launder, Mary Hodge, Marya Stallard, Susie Rowan, Anne Russ, Cindy Cowherd, Missy Love, Cynthia Pistilli Savage, Debby Duensing, Maggie Freeman, Carol Fryer, JoAnn Dickey, Kim Manka Mann, Cathy Frame, Carolyn Langdon, and Marianne Kilroy. Here’s to many more festive evenings of fellowship!

n Newhouse’s Imagine a Day Gala will be held on November 18th at Loews Kansas City Hotel. Enjoy cocktails, a gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions, inspirational messages from domestic violence survivors, entertainment from Charlotte Fletcher, and more. Jill Grace and Lindsey Murphy are the event co-chairmen, and Rae Daniel and Darron Story will serve as the emcees. Dan Cranshaw, Phil Thomas, Kai Guo, Doug Gaumer, Henry Heimsoth, Pedro Constanzo, Said Tiaym, John Murphy, Mike Shull, Wes Lyles, and Peter Mallouk are the honorary co-chairmen. To learn more, visit newhousekc.org.

WARD & WARD

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November 18th is the date for Folly Theater’s Folly Frolic. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, gourmet chocolates, and a bubbly bar. A highlight of the night will be a performance by the a cappella group, Take 6, featuring musicians Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea, and Khristian Dentley. For more information, visit follytheater.org.

n Serving Kansas City with ﬁne kitchenware for over 50 years!

November 19th is the date for JCRB|AJC’s Human Relations Event, to be held at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Joe Reardon will be honored with the 2023 Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award for his tireless work towards improving the quality of life for every Kansas Citian. Making this a night to remember are Event Co-chairs Jeff Simon, Lisa Ginter, Madeleine McDonough, Bill Berkley, Bridgette Williams, and Gordon Lansford. Visit jcrbajc.org to learn more.

n I Wonder – who was ecstatic to learn that the top rack of her dishwasher was able to move up and down with the press of a button?

n The Independent Kansas City’s Oldest Magazine

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 5

Nuptial

oined in matrimony on July 29th at the Woodland Mosaic Solarium at Denver Botanic Gardens were Dr. Shannon Leigh O’Connor and Dr. Michael Scott Miller. Shannon is the

daughter of the late Rebecca Culpepper Benson and the late Dale Eugene O’Connor, and the late Dr. William Frank Benson. Michael is the son of Andrew Miller of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the late Kathleen Purnell Miller. The evening prior to the ceremony, Shannon and Michael hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Wright Room, and their gorgeous reception was held at Gates Hall at Denver Botanic Gardens. Reece Christian, son of the bride, walked Shannon down the aisle and served as a reader. Sarah Miller, daughter of the groom, stood with Michael and also served as a reader. Shannon and Michael are at home in Denver, where she is an assistant professor with the University of Colorado, School of Medicine; and Michael is a cognitive scientist with the United States Department of State.

Carl Bower

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 7

ff T o k c i K Lovely

he Lyric Opera Ball Kickoff was hosted at the gorgeous home of Pam Bruce on September 26th, where committee members enjoyed cocktails and appetizers by the pool. The Lyric Opera Circle’s Lyric Opera Ball, “A Toast To Opera,” will be held on April 20th at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. Sharon Barry and Deanna Diebolt are serving as the Ball co-chairmen. More at kcindependent.com. David Riffel

(Seated) Tricia Scott, Trish Church Podlasek, Pam Bruce, host; Deanna Diebolt, Ball co-chairman; Sharon Barry, Ball co-chairman; Carmen Sabates, Circle president; and Barb Fessler (back row) Carolyn Price, Mary Leonida, Lora Smith, Bev Leonard, Kimberlee Ried, Carolyn Faenger, Trudy Gabriel, Lisa Flynn Pruch, Kristina Klug, Karen Yungmeyer, Nicole Browne, and Karen Mische

Michael and Sharon Barry

Karen Mische, Carolyn Price, Pam Bruce, host; and Tricia Scott

Ball Co-chairmen Sharon Barry and Deanna Diebolt

Nicole Browne, Carmen Sabates, Circle president; Kristina Klug, and Lisa Flynn Pruch

Sharon Barry, Ball co-chairman; Carmen Sabates, Circle president; Pam Bruce, host; and Deanna Diebolt, Ball co-chairman Beverly Leonard, Trudy Gabriel, Carolyn Faenger, and Lora Smith

Barbara Fessler, Kickoff Party; Deanna Diebolt, Ball co-chairman; Pam Bruce, host; Sharon Barry, Ball co-chairman; and Trish Church Podlasek, Kickoff Party

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David Riffel

Having A Ball

he Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties is honored to present outstanding high school students at its 73rd Annual Community Ball and Cotillion on December 2nd. Participants were chosen based on their leadership, character, and service, and they represent 15 area high schools. More at kcindependent.com. Basehor-Linwood/Bonner Springs/Bishop Ward High Schools: Addison Lee, Danilo Djukic, Adley Maxwell, Brenna McGrath, and Christian Reyes (out of camera range) Brock Jones

St. James Academy/St. Teresa’s Academy/Turner High School: Jonathan Arzola, Jillian Muehlberger, Beatrice Wiley, and Carli O’Toole Piper High School: Delaney Cahill, Addison Walker, Alison Asbury, Dane Bakarich, Caite Kirwan, and Jack Bakarich

Mill Valley/Park Hill South High Schools: Kathryn Yockey, Blake Powers, Regan Lea, Kai McGarry, and Zoe Jensen

Bishop Miege High School: Celia Tomasic, Megan Ruf, Nolan Ward, and Sydney Ward (out of camera range) Phillippe Jones, Jr. and Nikhil Rattan

Kansas City Christian School/Blue Valley High School: Silas Webb, Ian Gatchell, Zander Hoxie, Jenna Tinberg, Marshall Christensen, and Hunter Rush

Olathe West/Olathe Northwest/Saint Thomas Aquinas High Schools: Quinn Heble, Caroline Platt, Krishna Chevuru, Lydia Fink, and Carter Heble (out of camera range) Cara Holton

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 9

LOVELY IN EVERY WAY

he 12th Annual Committee of 100 Celebratory Luncheon was held on September 19th at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Luncheon Co-chairmen Shelley Copaken and Amy Thompson, and Honorary Co-chairmen Kay Newell

and Lisa Schellhorn planned a gorgeous program featuring Ashley Whittaker, designer and author of “The Well-Loved House.” Clare and Nick Blasi were the hosts for the lovely Benefactor Party. More at kcindependent.com.

Ashley Whittaker, featured speaker Shirley Helzberg, Julián Zugazagoitia, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; and Jo Marie Scaglia Amy Thompson, co-chairman; Nick and Clare Blasi, Benefactor Party hosts; and Shelley Copaken, co-chairman

Jane Kress, Courtney Fadler, Katy Platt, Sarah Hancock, Jo Bradley, Lucy Coulson, and Amy Nelson

Chasitie Walden, Lucy Coulson, Lacey Maughan, Luncheon design co-chairman; Sarah-Allen Preston, and Lauren Atterbury with Lisa Schellhorn and Kay Newell, honorary co-chairmen; Carmen Sabates, and Stephane Bradley Cooch, Luncheon design co-chairman

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Lynsey, Alison, Lindsay, and Niles Jager

Damian Lair, Jamila Weaver, Katie Gerson, and Erica Crenshaw

David Riffel

Luncheon Committee Members: (Front row) Heather Pluard, Kelly Anders, Amy Thompson and Shelley Copaken, co-chairmen; Mina Steen, C100 board president; Lisa Schellhorn and Kay Newell, honorary co-chairmen; Carmen Sabates, Kay Martin, Cathy Schultz, Stephane Bradley Cooch, and Ken Sherman (middle row) Tennille Adkins, Emily Eckles, Ellen Algrim, Gail Wordekemper, Chasitie Walden, Lucy Coulson, Jamie Berg, Jen Becker, Katherine Ellis, Mary Spilker Peavey, and Barbara Spilker (back row) Lacey Maughan, Jan Anderson, Katherine Schorgl, Tamara Campbell, Amy Volini, Gaye Cohen, and Julana Harper-Sachs

Gina Hovey, Betty Scott, Kim Aliber, and Judi Knight (Seated) Lisa Schmidt, Debbie Kerr, Jennifer DiCarlo, and Rose Thompson (standing) Stephanie Seigfreid, Jenny Stonehocker, Kathy Woodward, Ellen Merriman, Susan Sight, and Nancy Jones

Kate Brown and Mary O’Connor

Ann Baum, Jane Kress, and Alison Ward

Elizabeth Craft, Karen Craft, and Gretchen Rubin

Lauren Sotos, Mary Malabanan, and Alexandra and Liz Maday

(Seated) Marilyn Wollard, Judy Barlow, Cathy Schultz, Lindsay Major, and Jo Ann Sullivan (standing) Anne Durrie, Karen Craft, Alison Jager, Susan Spaulding, and Joan Marsh

More at kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 15

Day To Dream

hildren’s Mercy hosted Dream Big Day in September in Crown Center Square, with a one-mile walk and a family-friendly celebration. Besides having fun, the day was a fundraiser which rallied the community around the mission of providing answers, hope, and care to patients and their families. More at kcindependent.com.

Dream Big Day Ambassador, Evie, with her father Adam Soetmelk, at the Family Festival

Lucy Wesselman was surrounded by her family, Danielle Wesselman, Julie Ruesch, and Jennifer Shelton.

Hudson Bosley and Shannon Eveland

Adalyn Perfater shared a wave.

Marcella Salter and her family celebrated her successful heart surgery with the Heart Center Reunion. Pictured are (Front row) Jill Zink, Marcella Salter, Jacob Salter, Ashley Salter, Tonya Theis, and Natalie Zink (back row) Adam Zink, Megan Green, Dustin Zink, and Alex Zink

Birdie Mendes was enthusiastic!

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Colton and Amber Cox at the NICU Reunion

More than 2,200 attendees participated in Dream Big Day.

Incredible Opening Night

he 66th season of Kansas City Ballet was welcomed in style at its annual Season Launch Party, held on October 13th at Benton’s in The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Devon Carney and David Gray, both of Kansas City Ballet, greeted guests, who then enjoyed the North American Premiere of Val Caniparoli’s Jekyll & Hyde at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Following the performance, the cast and special guests enjoyed a post-performance celebration. More at kcindependent.com. Mark McDonald

Chris Cornwell, Dana Koehn, Cyndi James, Dennis Marker and Susan Lordi Marker, and Karen Lordi

Marilyn Gaar, Edie Downing, Cyndi James, Jack Rowe, Janis Brewster, and Russell Spies

Kyra Nichols and David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; Julia and Dennis Meyer, and Angela Walker

Barbara Storm, Kyra Nichols, Lisa and Dr. Christopher Sirridge, David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; and Patricia Macdonald

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Missouri State Representative Anthony Ealy and Alaine Tate

David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; Dr. Melissa Patterson Hazley, and Jason Hazley

Kyra Nichols and David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; Halli Vrooman, Becky Fast, Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet; and Pam Carney

Parrish Maynard, Jim French, Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet; Maiqui Mañosa, Val Caniparoli, Ramona Pansegrau, Christopher Ruud, Oğulcan Borova, and Kristi Capps

Craig Sole with Angela and Troy Moore

Julie and Vince Clark with Joe and Claire Brand

Bailey Pianalto Photography

LEARNING ABOUT THE ROYAL

he BOTAR Organization participates in conducting school tours of The American Royal twice, annually. Each year, members gather in May and October to help guide school children through the various programs and offerings at The Royal. More at kcindependent.com.

Susan Spencer, Megan Bubb, Ellie Cribb, Shannon O’Brien, and Hillary Winzenried Porter Furlong, Mary Sullivan, Madelynne Roney, Nancy Wilkerson, BOTAR president; Anna Varney, and Gia Hense

Shannon O’Brien and Nancy Wilkerson, BOTAR

(Front row) Madelynne Roney, Lauren Terry, Mary Sullivan, Anna Varney, Mary Kate Throckmorton, Susan Spencer, Angela Kokoruda, and Hillary Winzenried (back row) Gia Hense, Izzy Zanone, Claire Moore, Dan Scott, Bobby Kissick, and Porter Furlong

THEN AND NOW

he annual Roney tradition of supporting the farming and livestock community via The American Royal continues. Purchasing prize-winning lambs since the early 1960s, this family has made a difference for so many agricultural families!

(Front row) Bailey Pianalto, Kate Reinhardt, and Sheryll Myers (back row) Cortney Barton, Lindsay Patterson Smith, Angela Hudson, Sharon Fate, Shannon O’Brien, Christy Schoenfeld, and Janet Taggart

Then: The Roney twins, John and David, posed with their parents, Buford and Joan, and the prize lamb and its owner at the 1963 livestock auction.

Now: Kathy and John Roney posed with their Reserve Champion Lamb at The American Royal Livestock Auction 2023, and its proud owner.

More at kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 19

A BEAUTIFUL DAY T he 33rd Annual Strutt With Your Mutt to beneﬁt Wayside Waifs was a howling success on a beautiful day, thanks to Co-chairs Bobby Sight and David Smart! Proceeds from the fun day support abandoned, abused, and homeless animals in our metro area, creating a more humane Kansas City for both animals and people. More at kcindependent.com.

Bobby Sight and David Smart, co-chairs (Front row) Taylor LeBlanc, Susan Sight, Ethan Sight, Rory Sight, and Piper Sight (back row) Abigail Sight, Betty and Leonard Hershman, Bobby Sight, Nina Finn, Benjamin Sight, Rob Sight, and Ashley Sight

Jay Devineni, ﬁrst place male winner - “no dog - 5K”

Marcus Summer, ﬁrst place male winner “with dog - 5K” Brianna Prichard with her dog

Martin Clardy, June Dean the dog, Ciara London, Paige Gentry, Sarah Dean, Hank Dean, Nepher Willink, Yul Bean, and Hayley Corbin

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Darlene Azuara and Alma Azuara, board member; and Finn the pup

Sunny dressed as Pupcorn, winner of the dog costume contest.

Sydney Goodman, board member

Nikki Vivas, emcee; Bobby Sight and David Smart, co-chairs; Kathryn Mahoney, Wayside Waifs; Donna Pitman, and Len Jennings

Amy McAnarney and Angie Price ﬂanked their daughters, Abby Hunt and Emma Price.

Alison Reder and Kathryn Mahoney, both of Wayside Waifs; and Board Chair Rusty and Martha Smith with Abby, Waif alum

Sam Grimes with Waif Ramona Flowers

Paige Henry, Allison Tripp, Susan Palmer, and Riley Palmer This furry friend enjoyed the pool.

Wayside Waifs alumni and their humans

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 21

Beeh Becvar

Sensational Invitations

ansas City Ballet Guild members gathered at the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity on September 28th to assemble invitations for the 2023 Nutcracker Ball. The Guild’s 56th annual gala will be held on December 1st at The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. At the helm are Ball Chairman Jo Anne Dondlinger and Honorary Chairmen Susan Lordi Marker and Dennis Marker. Proceeds support the Kansas City Ballet. More at kcindependent.com.

(Seated) Guild President Cyndi James, Ball Chairman Jo Anne Dondlinger, Bill Dondlinger, Bill Lindsay, and Fran Gerritz (standing) Michelle Fasel, Cindy Hisle, Julia Kim-Malter, Ron Fredman, Karen Yungmeyer, Edie Downing, Amanda Wagner, Shawn Conwell, and Peg Brown

Bill Dondlinger and Bill Lindsay

Ball Chairman Jo Anne Dondlinger, Fran Gerritz, and Julia Kim-Malter

Ron Fredman and Karen Yungmeyer

The Child Protection Center will host Holidays in Crestwood from November 30th through December 2nd at the Crestwood Shops. This family-friendly event features live holiday music by Uke 66, hot chocolate and delicious fare from Aixios, photos with Santa in a horse-drawn sleigh, amazing gingerbread houses on display, and more. The gingerbread houses were created by local pastry chefs and can be bid on to take home to add to your holiday decorations. Amy Embry and Carrie McLiney are the event co-chairs. For more information, visit cpckc.org.

David Gray, Kansas City Ballet; Jo Anne Dondlinger, Ball chairman; Cyndi James, Guild president; and Devon Carney, Kansas City Ballet

The 53rd Annual Yuletide Gala, a beneﬁt for the Olathe Health Charitable Foundation, is set for December 2nd at the Overland Park Convention Center. Enjoy a delectable dinner, cocktails, dancing, and a program. Kelsey and Doug Huston are the event chairs. For more information, visit olathehealth.org.

n I Wonder – who found the past minutes of the “club” to be very forthright in calling people out for not attending?

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 23

SUNDAY FUNDAY “Celebrate Compassion” was the theme of this year’s Sunday Night Live, hosted by Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care. Held on October 1st at KC Live! Block in the Power & Light District, this fun and festive event was chaired by the dynamic duo of Casey Simmons and Sloane Simmons, while Kevin Dunn and Bob Legler, Shelly Legler, and Brady Legler served as the honorary co-chairs. Proceeds from the night support the organization’s work to help families in Our Town who are affected by serious illness or by grief. More at kcindependent.com.

Jody Abbott and Darla Easley

Event Committee Members: Casey Simmons and Sloane Simmons, co-chairs; David Wiley, Amy Lucas, Debbie McWatters, Marilynn Hoover, Micah Hobbs, Patty Dykman, Molly Wilson, Wendi Maggiorotto, Kiran Chandra, Kate McKinney, Carol Barnett, Jeannie Wilcox, Caryn Hohnholt, Pam Puppe, Sarah Ruttle, Peggy Reese, and Kirk Isenhour

Honorary Co-chair Shelly Legler and Shannon Huebert looked fabulous at the Patron Party.

Chuck and Wendi Maggiorotto with Peg and Jeff Hornsby

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Kirk Isenhour and Jaclyn Duncan with Casey Simmons and Sloane Simmons, co-chairs

Marny Sherman with Thomas and Kim Curry at the Patron Party

David Wiley with Jeffery Hughley

Nick and Patti Manning

Brady Legler, Shelly Legler, and Bob Legler and Kevin Dunn, honorary co-chairs

Missy and George Guastello with Kurt Knapstein and Amy McAnarney

Carol Barnett, Bob Robinson, Pam Puppe, and Marilynn Hoover at the Patron Party

Jeff Whelan, Chuck Maggiorotto, and Paul Dreher

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 25

SPECIAL HONORS

ctober 2nd was the date for Kansas City Young Matrons’ annual Civics/Honoring Day. The membership gathered to honor the president, past presidents, silver members, life members, and honorary members, in addition to a special presentation to Lucinda Rice-Petrie for leading Heritage Hikes. The Merry Matrons entertained the group with a song to introduce the gala to be held in March of 2024, where the beneﬁciary will be Inclusion Connections. More at kcindependent.com. John Caulfield

Life Members: Cindy Price, Lucinda Rice-Petrie, Virgie Bancroft, Betty Novak, and Judy Horn

Honorary Members: Kathleen Smith, Lucinda Rice-Petrie, Virgie Bancroft, Pam Zschoche, Bonne Illig, and Nina Hollabaugh

Magic Ball Board Members: (Seated) Joni Siplon, Julie Cain, co-chairman; Mary Katz, president; Shelly McVay, co-chairman; and Bonne Illig (middle row) Stephanie Hawn, Cindy Schenken, Becky Samuelson, Edie Downing, Peggy Beal, Mary Ring, Deana Fisher, Sally Beal, and Patti Paisner (back row) Lundy Joyce, Gigi Rose, Mary Jennifer Amato, Cindy Bowling, Anne Blessing, Christy Jennings, Valerie Burke, Joni Etherington, and Kathy Teahan

Debbie Horn, Inclusion Connections

Silver Members: (Front row) Nina Hollabaugh, Debbie Scrivner, Jill Hartman, Kathleen Smith, Linda Lewis, Teresa Ahrens, Jane Willhoite, and Sally Townley (back row) Linda Ehinger, Kathy Vigliaturo, Bonne Illig, Laura Reedy, Mitzi Foster, Peggy Dunn, and Pam Zschoche

President Mary Katz

Past Presidents: (Front row) Linda Ehinger, Kathleen Smith, Lucinda Rice-Petrie, Jill Hartman, Joni Etherington, Julie Maggart, Virgie Bancroft, Joni Siplon, Mary Katz, president; Diana Cusser, Peggy Beal, Jane Wilhoite, and Teresa Ahrens (back row) Nina Hollabaugh, Cindy Price, Kathy Vigliaturo, Janice Fischer, Betsy Vossman, Bonne Illig, Peggy Dunn, and Pam Zschoche

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Celebrating Accomplishm Valencia Alexander, Araceli Molina, and Te’Amber Hodge

uite a celebration, indeed, was The Whole Person’s 2023 Casino Royale Night of In

September 22nd at Harrah’s Casino. The event raises funds for and toasts people living inde the Independence Award was 14-year-old Brinley Hutson, who has discovered her identity

as the emcee. Congratulations all around for an evening of inspiration. More at kcindependent.com.

Independence Award winner Brinley Hutson with Michael Soodjinda, The Whole Person

Caleb and Halie Bishop

Robert and Leslie Dykstra

Curtis and Judi Tantillo Natalie Holmgren, Nikki Conner, and Kate Hwang

Kimberly Krueger an Donna Goeckler

Mike Blair, Cynthia Blair, and Morgane Freeman

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Melissa McKinley, Courtney Goin, and Evie Curtis

Roy Inman

g s ment

ndependence Awards Gala, held on

ependently with disabilities. Receiving as an athlete! Kelly Eckerman served

Kim Hutson, Lainey Hutson, Independence Award winner Brinley Hutson, and Berniece Simms

Scott Berry, Robert Steinebach, Kaycee Greenwood, Nancy England, Joe Kitting, Alicia Wofford, and Felipe Bautista

Rosemary Stoermann and Joseph Stoermann

Laura and Matt Pinkepank

Shawneice Gipson and Brandy Cooper

Allison Heisa, Patti Erneste, and Kate Hwang

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 29

g n i n e v E l u f r e ond F

irst Call’s Soiree was held on September 28th at Hotel Kansas City, and included a new attraction - a keynote performance by live painter, John Bukaty. Guests were treated to a lovely dinner, an auction, and most importantly, stories of hope from former First Call clients. Karen and Jeffry Gerson were the event chairs. Funds support the organization’s mission to reduce the impact of alcohol, drugs, and addiction by providing quality resources to individuals, families, and the community. More at kcindependent.com.

Karen Gerson, event chair; with John Bukaty, performance artist; and Emily Hage, First Call (out of camera range) Jeffry Gerson, event chair

Dana Schwartz, Allison Berey, Tom Cohen and Lena Price, and Lisa and Steve Ruben

Megan Fowler, Mary Frances Haake, Sheryl Cotterman, and Julianne Fowler

Kent Mueller, Beck Johnson, Anna Petrow, and Patrick Mulvihill

Eric Blond, Pete Gasser, Mitch Burgess, Jonathan Lofgren, Blake Allen, and Robert Moreno The Neon Signs: Beth Walker and Eric Knight

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Don Ipock

Dana Schwartz, Karen Gerson, event chair; and Allison Berey Lucy Brown, Jean Kiene, Dick Rhyne, and Maria Pyle

Gary McCarthy, Karen Gerson, event chair; and Dan Alldredge

George Lopez, board chair; and John Bukaty, performance artist

Megan Fowler and Bethany DePugh

(Seated) Ashur Bratt, Laura Bratt, and Jamila Weaver (standing) Dana Schwartz, Dawn Owens, Meg Torelli, Karen Gerson, Allison Berey, and Dr. Michael Weaver

Nettie Zan

John Bukaty with his performance painting

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 31

Fifty Fabulous Years

he Snow Ball season has ofﬁcially begun for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas! The Patron, Table, and Snowﬂake committee members gathered recently at Indian Hills Country Club to kick off the 50th Anniversary. Veronica and Peter Mallouk are serving as the 50th Annual Snow Ball presidents, and Kathy and Jack Newman are the honorary presidents. The 50th Annual Snow Ball will be held on January 20th at the Overland Park Convention Center. Proceeds will provide help, hope, and hospitality to the most vulnerable people across a 21-county service area. More at kcindependent.com. Brian With An Eye Photography

Patron, Table, and Snowﬂake Committee Members: (Front row) Chris and Bridget Lee, Kristine Penn, Marilyn Hager, Veronica and Peter Mallouk, Snow Ball presidents; Kerahana G., Rachel Sevart, Fran Douthat, Peggy Dunn, Lauren Solidum, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas; Bob Reintjes, and Jack Newman, Snow Ball honorary president (second row) Susan and Mike Lally, Stephen Penn, Mary Buche, Jo Ann and Dan Lorenz, Humbelina Harper, Grant and Claire Harrison, Tom Schugel, Craig Gaffney, Barb Petracek, Susan Gangel, Nancy Grasse, and Kathy Newman, Snow Ball honorary president (third row) Rick McKenna, Peter Marquardt, Christina Hager, Jim Buche, Phil and Amy Connealy, Jo Kerby, Garrett Harper, Blake Edwards, Andrew Tremonti, Frances Neunuebel, Ellie Carmody, Margie Glenn, Mary Thompson, Kevin Petracek, Neil Douthat, Mike Gangel, and Kurtis Grothoff, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (fourth row) Scott Campbell, David Meiners, Mary Caffrey, Kelly Meiners, Ken Hager, Colin Rohach, Mary Campbell, Kirsten Rasmussen Lester, Donna Teahan, Paul Thompson, Anita Smith, Brian Perott, Terry Dunn, and Rich Teahan (ﬁfth row) Jackie Marquardt, Kara Ciocca, David Caffrey, Doug Ciocca, Amy Barnthouse, John Campbell, Toby Cook, Jeannine Wilkerson, Rey Wilkinson, and Larry Gates (sixth row) Jack Faerber, Donovan Fowler, Jim North, Brendan Teahan, Mike Gates, Joseph Lester, Ned Smith, Conner Teahan, and Mark Teahan

E S TA B L I S H E D 1 8 9 9 | K A N S A S C I T Y ’ S J O U R N A L O F S O C I E T Y | K C I N D E P E N D E N T. C O M

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With each purchase you can enter for a chance to win great prizes from some of our favorite businesses here in Kansas City!

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Fun For All

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ith special guests like KC Wolf and Chiefs Cheerleaders, and special activities like a wine pull, a CASA-colada cocktail, silent and live auctions, and a balloon sculpture, it’s no wonder Jackson County CASA’s 5th annual Cocktails for CASA - A Night of Hope auction was so much fun! The October 6th event was held at The Guild. Proceeds help the organization and its mission to advocate for children in the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect. More at kcindependent.com. Frozen In Time Photography

Host Committee Members: David T. Hunt, Hailey Holder, Chandler Scruggs, Laura Williams, Patty Brehm, Board Chair John Vaglio, Lara Klover, Jessica Kerrigan, Tahir Atwater, Robin Hansen, Ruth Yorke, Kathy Bussing, Jordan Hale, and Peter Kowalski

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kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 33

NOTEWORTHY Lunching Ladies

n I Wonder – which young bride-to-be had trouble cracking eggs at the cooking demonstration, much to everyone’s surprise and giggles?

n KC Melting Pot Theatre will present The Amen Corner on stage from November 30th through December 9th. This classic play, written by James Baldwin in 1954 and directed by Melonnie Walker, tells the story of a Black female pastor in Harlem who must grapple with the social, cultural, and gender issues of the time. For tickets, visit kcmeltingpot.com. (Clockwise) Shirley Ellenberger, Nancy Cornelison, Sue Weltner, Mary Nesselrode, Buckie Bell, Kathy Carter, and Margaret Peters

umor has it that one of these young ladies was celebrating a birthday! Found toasting Mary Nesselrode at Cafe Provence were her daughter, Buckie Bell (also the host), and her dear friends from Mission Chateau. What a delightful way to spend a natal day, congratulations, Mary!

Join the Arts Council of Johnson County for its Creative Connections Breakfast on December 1st at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. The event celebrates arts and creativity in Johnson County. Johnson County Commission Chairman Mike Kelly will be the keynote speaker. A highlight of the day will be the presentation of the ﬁrst Johnson County Arts Advocate Award to an individual who has dedicated time, effort, and leadership to the creative economy and the arts in Johnson County. The Planning Committee members include Cheryl Kimmi, Lonita Cook, Hannes Zacharias, Kelly Seward, and Committee Chair Emily Behrmann. To learn more, visit artsjoco.org.

The 74th annual BOTAR Ball on October 28th did not disappoint guests, even if the weather left a little bit to be desired! President Nancy Wilkerson and her team, Addie Perry, Margaret Lang, Blair Tyson, Whitney Hosty, Shannon O’Brien, Emily McCann, and Bailey Pianalto, did an incredible job of hosting a beautiful celebration of the 2023 Belles of The American Royal and their Escorts and Royal Escorts. There were so many lovely families there, as this organization is fully aware of family commitment and dedication to BOTAR and The American Royal. The adorable Pages brought their families, and we found Rosie Cribb with Megan Bubb, Chris Cribb, and Susan and Dr. Steve Bubb; Audrey Bartel, Kathryn Bartel, and Elizabeth Reinhardt all share the same grandmother, Sharon Fate; Emmett Langdon had her parents, Laura and Jesse Langdon, and grandparents, Mary Don and Bob Beachy, in tow; Eloise Launder was found with her parents, Jeanie and David Launder, and grandmother, Blythe Launder; Margaret Hudson with her parents, Angela and Ben Hudson, and grandmother, Dolly LaTorre; June Winzenried was with her parents, Hillary and Adam Winzenried, (unfortunately, grandmother Marie McMorris couldn’t be there); Georgia Smith brought Lindsey and Matthew Smith; and Stella Baratta brought Sally and Marc Baratta, along with Susie and Roger Rowan. Also spotted in the festive crowd were Cindy Cowherd, Rob Adams, Laurie and Chip Ingram, Mary Hodge, Caroline Hodge, Connie and Anthony Mendolia, Marian and Joe Tutera, Mindy and Joe Roper, Amy and Tom Volini, Missy and Bill Love, Jenny Turner Tuttle, Annie Tuttle, Cathy and Mark Frame, Julie and Matt Mulhern, Marya and Kent Stallard, Denise and Dave Schloegel, Amy and Dallas Polen, Mary Ann and Nick Powell, Courtney and John Nelson, Kathy and John Roney, Julie and Dr. Kent Kiracofe, and Jennifer and Bob Sawyer, just to name a very few. Chuck Matney and Leslie Brett and The Little Flower Shop did a beautiful job of ﬁlling the ballroom with gorgeous varieties of pink and white ﬂowers with greenery to compliment the green dresses worn by the BOTARs. And, as always, the waltz, choreographed by Christine and Paul Stickler, with the ostrich-feather fans was a huge hit with the crowd!

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Staying In The Loop

uincy Lee is the director of productions for Social Apex – that involves working on all aspects of video production from pre-production to post-production. Storyboards? Scripts? Shot lists? Quincy handles it all – and he casts the talent, too. “We currently work with ShareWaves, a non proﬁt that helps connect kids with sports. We help amplify their brand by telling their story,” he said, adding, “I support ShareWaves’ mission because kids learn principles through sports that will help guide them through life.” Quincy is a graduate of Lee’s Summit High School. He is also a member of The Loop KC. The Loop KC brings together similar yet unique minds to create genuine friendships and ignite the next generation of business leaders in Kansas City. Members of The Loop KC are required to give back to local non-proﬁt organizations. More at kcindependent.com. Rashida Phillips, Quincy Lee, Sam Kulikov, and Lisa Alpert

34 | November 11, 2023 |

@KCIndependent

Happy Reunion The Sigma Chi pledge class of 1973 at The University of Kansas held its 50-year reunion on September 23rd at The Carriage Club. With lots of reminiscing by the young men and some serenading of wives with the “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” song, a wonderful evening was had by all. Travis Carroll

(Seated) Jim Sloss, Tom Arthur, Jim Wayman, Fred Knuth, Steve Comeau, Mike Maloney, and Rick Putnam (standing) Bruce Mallonee, John Hall, Larry Winter, Roger Campbell, Brian McRae, John Carnes, Scott Stewart, Bill Blessing, and Brian Gaudreau

REMEMBER WHEN - 60 Years Ago

A Memorable Meeting

Ken Taylor

illiam N. Deramus III of K.C. Southern Railways note and legalite Byron Spencer, who were in the limelight during the Presidents’ Party at the Kansas City Club, exchange handclasps as the top post of the largest men’s club in the city passes from Mr. Spencer to Mr. Deramus. Reprinted from the November 16, 1963 issue of The Independent.

As the old song lyrics remind us, “If I can make it here, I’ll make it anywhere…” Drew Auer, daughter of Lisa and Wayne Auer, managed to make it a photo-op with Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson in the state-side city of New York. We’ll celebrate Drew’s one degree of separation, as we admire these professional, savvy ladies from afar.

Bluhawk, a multi-faceted destination experience in southern Overland Park, will present Miracle on 159th Street on November 24th in the green space between Jersey Mikes and Costa Vida. The free, family-friendly holiday celebration will feature an appearance by Santa Claus and live reindeer, photo booths, festive holiday music, hot cocoa and cider served in keepsake mugs, and a fabulous tree lighting ceremony featuring DJ Ty Brown. To learn more, visit bluhawk.com.

kcindependent.com | November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 35

THE TOP TEN EVENTS

In Memoriam

OF 2023

The annual Top Ten list will be featured in the February 24, 2024 issue. Events listed in The Top Ten are based on NET dollars raised in the following categories: gala events, golf tournaments, breakfast/luncheon events, walks/runs, multi-day events, impact players, and nationally-sponsored events. Any non profit can participate by filling out the Top Ten form. Request a form by emailing annie@kcindependent.com.

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JANUARY 5TH. 36 | November 11, 2023 |

@theindependentkc

Dr. and Mrs. Dominic Tutera on their wedding day in 1958

ucille Cirese Tutera died at the age of 92 on August 28th. Coining the term “Bae” before anyone else of cultural signiﬁcance made the moniker popular, Lou has been an icon and a legend and a servant ever since she came into the world on July 24, 1931. Affectionately known as Tutsi to her family, Lucille was the only daughter and one of three children born to Mary and Joe Cirese. She was the recipient of much attention, and she was also taught at an early age the importance of faith, family, and hard work. Taking care of her aunts, uncles, parents, and eventually her own husband and children became Lou’s mission in life. Later, caretaking took on a new meaning as she personally watched over her many residents at The Atriums. Calling the Northeast sector of Kansas City home, the Cirese family was hardworking, well-respected, and not without tragedy. On March 7, 1960, Lucille’s two brothers, Joe Cirese, Jr. and Michael Cirese were killed in an automobile accident. Their father shuttered the family business and never returned, as Joe, Sr. and Mary “Nani” were incapacitated by the loss. By 1960, Lou had married Dr. Dominic “Doc” Tutera, and had one child and another one on the way. Still returning each day to her Ninth Street home to take care of her parents, Lou was already a multi-tasking wife, mother, daughter, and caretaker. Ensconced in their family-built home on 63rd Terrace, (Legend says that if the Tutera men couldn’t build something, Lou didn’t need it!), Lou and Doc became parents to Connie, Michael, Peaches, and Joe. Eventually Lou moved Nani into their home, where the generations lived, loved, and learned together. For anyone in Our Town who was associated with the Tutera home during the 1970s and 80s, the memories are plentiful and joyous. Always the mother and hostess to her children’s myriad friends, it was Lou’s passion to create a warm, welcoming environment - always with plenty of food for everyone. Unfortunately, tragedy struck the family again with the passing of Dr. Tutera in 1998, Mary Cirese in 1999, and Michael Tutera in 2010. Ultimately, Lucille rededicated herself to serving others for the rest of her life, and the recipients of her generosity and gracious nature are the richer for it. Lucille is survived by her children, Connie Mendolia (Anthony), Mary Margaret “Peaches” Cunningham (David), Joseph Tutera (Marian), and Lynne Beaver (Jon); and grandchildren, Laura Tomlinson (Alex), Mary Rall (Kyle), Hannah Tutera, Anthony Mendolia, Jr., John David Cunningham, Dominic Tutera, Joseph Tutera, Jr., Cirese Mendolia, Victoria Beaver, and Jonathan Beaver. She also leaves a great-granddaughter, Giorgia Lucille Tomlinson.

CELEBRATING National American Indian Heritage Month Dear Readers, The Independent strives to create a landscape of information, education, and understanding with our signature issues. This month, we are pleased and proud to present the National American Indian Heritage Month tribute in this issue. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed into law a congressional bill stating that November is National American Indian Heritage Month (also known as Native American Indian Month.) We have adopted the official government’s term. Having said that, we have found that the terminology itself is quite confusing and sometimes controversial. As we did with our Hispanic Heritage issue, we defer to individuals and organizations to self-identify with their terminology. This is also very complicated subject matter because there is so much history associated with it. We hope that this very brief look, as well as our articles, are enlightening, educational, and conversation starters. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2020, the American Indian population comprises three percent of the total population. There are 573 federally recognized tribal governments, and there are 326 Indian reservations. As we narrow in and create a more local focus, we find that there are six groups of declared tribes with more than 100,000 members currently active in North America (not including Alaska). Those tribes are: Cherokee (284,000), Chippewa (112,000) Choctaw (103,000), Mixed American Indian (121,000), Navajo (286,000), and Sioux (112,000). The American Indian influence in our area is often felt from the Cherokee, Kaw, and Shawnee Tribes. The Cherokee are headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and have a very strong community in the greater Kansas City area. The Kaw (also known as the Kanza or Kansa) are also from Oklahoma, headquartered in Kaw City, with a very strong connection to Kansas, and specifically Topeka, for obvious reasons. The Shawnee are originally from Ohio, but under the Removal Act, they were dispersed and have a presence in Kansas - as our readers will no doubt identify with the Shawnee Indian Mission in Fairway, Kansas. An additional mention should be made for Haskell, as it is an educational staple in Lawrence. Interestingly enough, what is now the Haskell Indian Nations University was originally created by the United States government and is operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It was founded in 1884 as a boarding school for young Indian children to be assimilated into American culture. The school was named after Dudley Haskell in 1887, a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, and later a Congressman who served as the chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs. Suffice it to say, that the influence of the Native American Indian on our local culture is vast and extraordinary. What we now consider to be part of our daily lives is a melding of Indian cultures since before the beginning of Kansas City, as we now know it. There are historical pieces of information that only begin to describe the challenges, brutality, assimilation, and discrimination that befell Native American Indians. (Please see the timeline in this issue.) For our purposes, we choose to highlight the people and the culture and the work being done today in our metro area to carry on the legacy of the Native American Indian through art, literature, music, education, and more. There is much to recognize and celebrate as we delve into the lives of those who bear the burden, but work tirelessly to preserve their cultures. Join us in this conversation, and please let us know your thoughts and comments.

The Independent Staff 38 | November 11, 2023 |

@The Independent: Kansas City’s Journal of Society

National American Indian TIMELINE

This is an abbreviated timeline of events in history affecting American Indian livelihoods, culture, and sustainability. While indigenous peoples have inhabited all corners of the Earth since the beginning of human civilization, the recounting of American Indian lore generally begins somewhere in the 15th century. Late 15th century - European migration to America started the Columbian Exchange - a transfer and adjustment of the two cultures - European and Indian. This exploration and colonization of the Americas led to the Doctrine of Discovery - the idea that a “discovering” nation claims rights to the land under discovery.

1890 - Wounded Knee - In an ongoing effort to seize

16th century - the introduction of diseases, in

1924 - President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian

land from the Lakota, a conflict with gunfire erupted on December 29th, killing up to 300 Indians.

1919 - President Woodrow Wilson granted citizenship to all Native Americans who had served in World War I.

particular smallpox, proved to promote the decline in numbers of American Indians for decades.

Citizenship Act, providing American citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

Post-American Revolution - President George

1930 - Indian population is 332,000

Washington believed that “civilizing” American Indians was the way to assimilate them into society. This was the advent of boarding schools for Indian children.

1830 - President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a design to relocate Indians from their homelands to “Indian Territory” and reservations, which resulted in the Trail of Tears. 1830-1850 - the five “civilized” tribes (Cherokee,

Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw) were forcibly pushed to relocate to the Western half of the United States.

1845 - The idea of “Manifest Destiny” is published by John O’Sullivan in support of territorial expansion. 1866 - The Civil Rights Act of 1866 - declares that

“all persons born in the United States, and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States.”

1871 - Indian Appropriations Act of 1871 allowed for the ending of recognition of additional Native American Tribes or independent nations, prohibiting additional treaties. Signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. 1880 - Indian population is 345,000

1950 - Indian population is 343,000 1956 - Indian Relocation Act of 1956 - The official

beginning of an effort to move Native American Indians to more urban areas, as government subsidies to reservations were declining.

1960 - Indian population is 532,000 1968 - The Navajo Nation established Diné College the first tribally controlled college in the United States. The effort helped combat the discrimination against American Indians in higher education. 1970 - Indian population is 792,000 2009 - President Barack Obama signed a Native

American Apology Resolution from Congress that apologized for injustices to American Indians throughout American history. The gesture is largely referred to as “the apology not spoken to the people for whom it was intended.”

2011 - There are 240 Indian tribes running some type of gambling endeavor on reservations, yielding roughly $27 billion in revenue.

What is not accounted for in this brief historical format is the social, spiritual, and economic effects on the American Indians’ health and welfare during the last six centuries. These topics range from segregation, poverty, food insecurity, alcoholism, and mascots in sports, to art, literature, music, language, religion, and the effects of gambling.

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 39

Guardians Of Hallowed Grounds

By Monica V. Reynolds

uring the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kansas City underwent significant growth, transforming into a busy trading and transportation hub that attracted a continuous influx of settlers. Within the growing population, two Native American sisters, Eliza “Lyda” and Helena “Lena” Conley of the Wyandot tribe, found themselves in a fierce conflict with city officials over the preservation of the Huron Cemetery. Lyda went on to break barriers for women, and, today, the burial ground she battled for is preserved for future generations.

Lyda Conley

During Lyda’s lifetime, many members of the Wyandot Nation chose to relocate to Oklahoma. However, according to Chief Judith “Trǫnyaęk” Manthe of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas, the Conley family wanted to stay to look after the cemetery where their ancestors were laid to rest. In 1906, Kansas City officials urged the Wyandot Nation to sell their communal Huron Cemetery, citing plans to convert it into a parking lot. This plan involved exhuming bodies and relocating them to Garrow Cemetery. This move was strongly opposed by the Conley sisters. “They did not want this done,” Chief Manthe said. “I mean, it was a tribal thing that we fought all the way. But the Conley sisters took it just a little bit further.” Anticipating a battle to preserve the cemetery, Lyda, who had attended Park College, went on to pursue a law degree. Doing so, she broke barriers as the first Native American woman admitted to the Kansas Bar Association. Then, in 1910, she made history as the first woman to present a case to the Supreme Court where she argued for the land’s federal protection. Chief Manthe, a descendant of the Conley family, has newspaper articles from across the country that chronicle Lyda’s landmark Supreme Court case. While she did not win, Lyda’s efforts garnered the public’s attention nationwide and even resulted in marriage proposals. Following the courtroom defeat, Lyda returned home, marched up the cemetery steps, and sealed the gates with a padlock. A warning sign was erected: “Beware, trespassers, beware.” For added measure, Lyda, Helena, Chief Manthe’s great-grandfather, and others built Fort Conley inside of the cemetery. It was a modest 6-foot by 8-foot shack. Armed with their father’s gun, the Conley sisters lived in the fort and fiercely defended the property for two years. “(The gun) was not loaded by 40 | November 11, 2023 |

@KCIndependent

the way,” said Chief Manthe. “There are newspaper articles about how Lyda chased contractors off the grounds. She was very persistent that nobody was going to tear those graves up.” Eventually, Kansas Senator Charles Curtis took notice of Lyda’s cause and stepped in to help. In 1916, he obtained an injunction preventing the Huron Cemetery’s sale and ensuring its preservation. While the Conley sisters were practiced at defending their rights, Lyda made it a point to impart this resolve on other women. According to Chief Manthe, Lyda inspired women to stand their ground and safeguard what matters most. This determined spirit also lived in Helena, a skilled herbalist and reputed witch whose tombstone in Huron Cemetery reads, “cursed be the villain that molest their graves.” After the court ruling to protect her ancestral burial ground, Helena found herself once again in a physical confrontation with land trespassers. “Somebody was cutting trees down on their (home’s) property and she told her neighbor, ‘Tell my sister, I’ll be back,’” said Chief Manthe. “When she came back, she had blood running out of her ears.” Despite being injured in the altercation, Helena managed to defend her land and forcefully expel the men from her property. No doubt the tradition of strong women has been passed down to the Conley sister’s descendants. Today, Chief Manthe advocates for federal recognition of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas and conducts presentations to promote cultural understanding. She and Second Chief Louisa Libby are also focused on preserving historical landmarks like Quindaro and the Underground Railroad, underscoring their commitment to their Native heritage and educating the public. As a result of the Conley sisters’ efforts, the Huron Cemetery was successfully preserved through the 1990s until a struggle ensued between the federally unrecognized Wyandot Nation of Kansas and the federally recognized Wyandotte Nation, headquartered in Oklahoma. Chief Manthe said, during that time, attempts were made by the Wyandotte Nation to build a casino on the burial grounds. The Wyandot tribe took the battle to Federal Court. Their determination to protect the grounds paid off. Today, the cemetery is designated as a National Historic Landmark and is provided with ongoing security to protect the cultural heritage site. More at kcindependent.com.

WYANDOTTE WAYS: Public Theatre Co-founder Brings Family Roots To Bear In His Work By Paul Horsley

Micah Thompson

athan Bowman doesn’t always advertise his Native American heritage when presenting himself to the public, but he is nonetheless proud of the deep roots that his family has always known are there. The co-founder and producing artistic director of Kansas City Public Theatre was raised knowing that, at the very least, he was descended on his mother’s side from members of the Wyandotte Nation of Kansas (separate from, but historically connected to, the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma). But because his maternal grandmother was adopted by a non-Native family in a closed adoption, completing the paperwork needed to establish Wyandotte citizenship has proved difficult. “You have to trace your family lineage to the last-taken census of the tribe from the late 19th century… using genealogical documentation and birth certificates,” said Nathan, a nationally acclaimed actor, director, and playwright. “So it’s quite a long process… and obtaining a birth certificate when there is a closed adoption in the middle of it makes it difficult.” Despite these challenges, Nathan has continued the process of making it official: Being Native American is an important part of his identity. “It seems like you always have to justify your heritage in some way when you’re Native American, because so Nathan Bowman and Elizabeth Bettendorf many people claim that they are,” Bowman co-founded Kansas City Public he said. “What you’re entering into is Theatre in the 2017-2018 season. citizenship … which is not the same thing as whatever race or ethnicity you are.” Nathan is mistaken for Hispanic on an almost daily basis, which is fine except that he is not. “Having citizenship in a tribe is important: It’s an indicator that you are actually Native American.” An Assistant Professor and Chair of Theatre and Dance at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, Nathan co-founded the Public Theatre in 2017-2018 with his wife, Executive Artistic Director Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman. Together they have made this company into a vital part of the Kansas City theater scene: offering free theater at a variety of offbeat venues and tackling a range of works that demonstrate diversity as a core value. Most powerful, perhaps, have been the deft adaptations of classics: a reflection, primarily, Nathan served as sort of the Greek chorus in his Faustus, an adaptation of Christopher Marlowe’s version of Nathan’s background as an expert in the field of ancient Greek theater. It was the of the centuries-old tale, and Joshua Gleeson focus of his Ph.D., which he earned from The University of Kansas (Spectacles of Horror: (in the back) played Dr. Faustus. Approaching the Supernatural in Greek Tragedy), and it has remained at the center of his activities. Nathan performs frequently in ancient theaters in Greece, both in English and in Greek, and his adaptations of classical drama (Medea: An American Tragedy; Oedipus the King) have formed an important part of Public Theatre’s repertoire. All of this has relevance for Nathan’s identity as a Native American theater artist, for several reasons. First, in both ancient Greek and Native American traditions, the line between ritual and theater has always been indistinct. “What could easily be called ‘Native American theater’ was never given this distinction, because it didn’t meet the narrow definition of the ‘well-made play,’ of the Western tradition,” said Nathan, who also holds a master’s degree in religious studies. “Greek tragedy is very much like that: overtly religious and ritualistic in a way that we don’t often give it credit for.” Second, Nathan was recently energized to create a brief adaptation from The Oresteia of Aeschylus, which he presented as a 20-minute Native American re-envisioning of this ancient tale. In his one-man version, Nathan is Orestes, the adopted patriarchal son of Clytemnestra: who has killed her husband to avenge her daughter’s death. Orestes’ subsequent act of killing his mother has sometimes been viewed as a moment of “patriarchy supplanting matriarchy,” Nathan said, “and I found in that a metaphor for colonization, to some degree.” Many tribes, including the Wyandotte, are matriarchal, and the conquest of the Americas by the fiercely patriarchic European culture does indeed fit into a sort of Oresteian narrative. In this version, Nathan is Orestes, “a Native American man, who is perpetuating the primarily white American patriarchal culture, as opposed to defending his mother,” he said. The killing of Clytemnestra becomes a symbol of the storyteller’s own suppression of his Native American culture: as he embraces, instead, the new society of the European conquerors. “It’s sort of personal: I’m writing from the perspective of my own life,” Nathan said of the retelling. “As an artist I don’t really explore Native American themes a lot, and sometimes there is a sense of guilt: that I need to be doing more of that.” He would indeed like to produce more theater that reflects on his heritage, but as someone not raised in a tribal society, he feels a need to educate himself more thoroughly. “There is quite a long list of companies and of working Native American playwrights right now,” he said. “But if I were to continue to produce art that reflected on this, I would want to make sure it was reflective of my experience and my story. … People who do this really have to buckle down in their research In April 2022, the Missouri Arts Council named Nathan and and learn about their heritage.” More at kcindependent.com. Elizabeth Bowman’s Kansas City Public Theatre “Arts Organization Lloyd Grotjan

of the Year.” Pictured are Michael Beshore, Nathan Bowman and Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman, and Sharon Donovan.

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 41

Land Acknowledgement: What Should We Know?

he discussion of land being taken away from and given to Native American Indians is a lengthy one fraught with many decisions and disagreements and recalibrations. Today, many institutions nationwide have been keen to acknowledge that the land upon which they sit is, indeed, Native American Indian land. We were particularly impressed with the depth and breadth of KC Rep’s commitment to understanding the concept of Land Acknowledgement. Their dedication to incorporating the theme into their ongoing programming is evident and comprehensive. This sparked our curiosity, so we reached out to just a few organizations to inquire as to their Land Acknowledgement statements. Here is what we found.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s statement “We would like to acknowledge that our theatre sits on the traditional, ancestral, and current home of Native Americans, Indigenous, and First Nations people. We ask you to join us in acknowledging the many tribal groups from our area, including the Osage, Kaw, Missouria, Shawnee and Wyandot tribes. We honor the elders, both past and present, and this calls us to commit to continuing to learn their stories as well as how to be better stewards of the land that we occupy.” KC Rep has initiated a program called OriginKC: New Works Program. Designed to provide support for playwrights, composers, and musicians, the program will support an artist from the idea phase all the way through production. Within that context, Artistic Director Stuart Carden announced the launch of the American Crossroads Residency. Mary Katherine Nagel is the ﬁrst resident in the program, and she will “… tell a Kansas City story about the Indigenous peoples and Native Nations who have shaped Kansas City into the community that Kansas City is today.” In turn, through a program called Four Directions Playwright Residency, Mary Katherine will work with Madeline Easley. Madeline is a Wyandot artist who is working on a play titled, “Representatives For Those At Peace.” The culminating reading and workshop will take place at the Copaken Stage on December 2nd.

The University of Kansas Medical Center’s Statement “Throughout the United States’ history, maps of Native nations and territories are often historically misrepresented and incomplete. History books and the borders illustrated on western maps often exclude migration, rich oral histories, sacred sites and colonialism survival stories for our Native people. As a step toward reconciliation, The University of Kansas Medical Center acknowledges that KU Medical Center resides on the traditional homelands of several tribal nations, including the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Washtáge Moⁿzháⁿ (Kaw/Kansa), (Osage), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Dakota, Lakota, Nakota), Shawnee and Waⁿdát (Wandat/Wyandot/Wyandotte/Huron) peoples. In addition, we recognize, advocate and support the sovereignty of the four federally recognized tribes who have reservations in Kansas, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.”

42 | November 11, 2023 |

@theindependentkc

Avila University’s statement “We respectfully acknowledge that Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri is located on the ancestral homelands of the Wahzhazhe (Osage), Kanza (Kaw), Jiwere (Otoe) and Nutachi (Missouria) Tribes. The Pianshaw and Kaskaskia tribes had land here via treaty as well, as did the Shawnee and Delaware. We also acknowledge there are many other Tribal Nations with ties to this land, including those removed to this land from their ancestral homelands and those traveling through this region on forced marches due to Indian Removal efforts. The Potawatomi were marched near Avila on their March of Death. This land acknowledgment gives gratitude to the original caretakers and afﬁrms the continuing relationship between Indigenous People and this land. As current stewards of these lands, it is our responsibility to understand the history of the land, the peoples who came before us, and their continuing ties to this place.”

Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools’ statement “Kansas City Public Schools acknowledges that our schools are built on the ancestral homelands of the Kaw (Kanza or Kansa), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations and Peoples. We honor and respect the Indigenous Peoples whose land is now part of our district boundaries. We acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples in Kansas City, the state of Missouri, and throughout the United States were forced to cede their territory and endure generations of genocide. Kansas City Public Schools is committed to creating a culture of equity and afﬁrming all communities, especially those who are marginalized. The stories and heritage of Indigenous Peoples will be shared, valued and celebrated within our schools.”

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s statement “Land Acknowledgements formally recognize, honor, and give thanks to the Native caretakers and residents of a region, as well as their ancestors and future generations. They counter the erasure of Native peoples by honoring Tribal histories and drawing attention to Tribes’ traditional lifeways and enduring spiritual connections to the land. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is in the process of revisiting our Land Acknowledgment to create an inclusive, collaborative, and accurate statement that centers the voices of Indigenous peoples. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art stands on the homelands of Native American peoples, at the juncture of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. In recent years, these nations have included the Missouria, Oto, Kansa, Osage, Shawnee, and Delaware. We pay respects to all Indigenous peoples — past, present, and future — for their continuing presence in the homeland and throughout the Native American diaspora.”

National Urban Indian Family Coalition T

he National Urban Indian Family Coalition, founded in 2003 by Janeen Comenote, elevates a national voice for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban communities and sustains indigenous values and culture through a strong network of urban Indian organizations. The NUIFC is proud to support the Kansas City Indian Center, one of the only Native organizations providing critical services in Kansas City. Their work supports the social, educational, and economic advancement of the American Indian community by promoting traditional and cultural values. There are several volunteer opportunities for assisting the Kansas City Indian Center. For more information, contact nuifc.org, or kcindiancenter.org. More at kcindependent.com.

The 2022 National Urban Indigenous Education Policy Summit

TRAVOIS Organization

Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona’s new recreational facility, ﬁtness center, and homes

Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico’s grand opening of affordable housing

Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona

ounded in 1995 by David W. Bland and Marianne Roos, Travois exists to support Indigenous clients as they build affordable housing and grow their economies. While this is not a Native-owned organization, they feel, “It is imperative that we steadfastly acknowledge this context and continually educate ourselves about the realities faced by those we serve.” Since 1995, Travois has helped 111 Native organizations develop more than $1.8 billion in housing and economic development projects. This includes nearly 6,300 new or rehabilitated homes. Travois makes an effort to work with nearby Native Nations in Kansas. Elizabeth Bland Glynn, executive director, said, “Whether it is designing beautiful housing, developing businesses and community infrastructure, or advocating for Tribal sovereignty, we want to help Native Nations achieve their goals.” More at kcindependent.com.

Karuk Tribe in California’s grand opening of a new family services center

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 43

AND BEYOND

BY PAUL HORSLEY

EARTH TONES: New generations of American Indian concert composers are steeped in classical and Native cultures

Deborah Martin

Shevaun Williams

Dawn Avery

“There are so many artists in Indian country, in all the genres you can think of,” Jerod said in a recent phone conversation, of the abundance of Native American arts today. “In all the visual arts, choreography, literature, theater, and of course filmmaking.” This flowering of the arts is not new: “This has been going on for a long time.” Until about a century ago, though, indigenous music heard in American concert halls was not by Native Americans at all. Antonín Dvořák was not the first to use melodies that he imagined were Native tunes (in works he wrote during his “American years,” 1892-1895), but his music was the first of its kind to have international impact: especially his “New World” Antonín Dvořák Jerod Tate Symphony, whose success many composers have tried to emulate. Other composers were inspired by the work of “ethnologists” such as Natalie Curtis, who during the early 20th century visited the Hopi and other communities in the Southwest and published neatly transcribed tunes in a volume she called The Indians’ Book. It became a source for those who admired the sort of “exotic” appeal these tunes lent to classical works, much as earlier generations of Europeans had used materials from the Middle East or Asia. 44 | November 11, 2023 |

@The Independent: Kansas City’s Journal of Society

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

hen Raven Chacon won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2022, the announcement surprised many American music-lovers, few of whom realized how strong the tradition of concert music by Native Americans had grown during the past two generations. This year Raven was also awarded the MacArthur Award, given (as the MacArthur Foundation wrote) for “creating musical works that cut across boundaries of visual art and performance to illuminate landscapes, their inhabitants, and histories.” Now people from all walks are seeking out Raven’s music: not just the Voiceless Mass for which he won the Pulitzer Prize, but the Three Songs, scored for three women singing in indigenous languages; or the opera Sweet Land (2020), which had its premiere in a state park; or American Ledger (No. 1), which depicts colonialism and the erasure of Native culture. Suddenly there is great interest in Native American “classical” composers, of whom there are quite a few. Conservatory-trained and closely tied to their heritage (Raven is a member of the Navajo, or Diné, Nation), they are creating a sensation in concert halls and on recordings. Much of the music is socially and historically conscious and steeped in Native American tunes, rhythms, and texts. One can only dream that this new awareness of enormous creativity might help all Americans come to terms with the plight of people who have been banished from their native lands for five centuries. All eyes are on creators such as flutistRaven Chacon composer Brent Michael Davids of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohicans, the Ute-Navaho flutist R. Carlos Nakai, the Mohawk cellist-composer Dawn Avery, Navaho composer Michale Begay, or pianist-composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. Jerod’s Shakamaxon received its local premiere by the Kansas City Symphony in 2021, in an online-only performance that nevertheless made a strong impression. Today he is one of the busiest composers in America, with commissions that stretch out for several years.

Louis Ballard

Composers such as Percy Grainger, Charles Wakefield Cadman (From Wigwam and Teepee), Edward MacDowell (Indian Suite), and Ferruccio Busoni (the Indian Fantasy for piano and orchestra) used Native tunes with a sort of ingenuous naiveté. “What they were doing were acts of curiosity,” Jerod said. “And that’s fine, but when the rubber hits the road… they just didn’t do it well.” Indeed, with the exception of Dvořák, whose “American” music was as much Czech as it was American, none of these composers (whom some have dubbed “Indianists”) created much of value. Jerod, a classically trained pianist and composer, notes that almost none of them showed any interest in actual contact with Native Americans. Edward MacDowell, for example, would use tunes that had been passed down third- and fourth-hand to the point where “there was actually zero connection to the source. He had no experience with it.” Louis W. Ballard (1931-2007) of Miami, Oklahoma, would change this landscape forever. Son of a Quapaw mother and a Cherokee father, this “Father of Native American Composition” studied piano, music theory, conducting, and composition at the University of Tulsa. He later worked privately with master composers Darius Milhaud and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and he was a frequent guest at the Aspen Music Festival. He was the first American Indian to earn a doctorate in composition. Louis was not shy about confronting difficult issues: His Incident at Wounded Knee was performed in 1974 in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Dennis Russell Davies and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra: a year after the protest occupation on Pine Ridge Reservation. He made a mark in Kansas City. In 1975, the Kansas City Philharmonic gave the world premiere of the composer’s Portrait of Will Rogers, with Will Rogers, Jr. as narrator. In 2000, Louis was distinguished visiting professor at William Jewell College. Many Native composers today point to Louis as an inspiration. He was a consummate composer who refused to be pigeonholed and wrote beautifully crafted works that were challenging yet accessible. “For me, it was the fact that he existed at all,” said composer Brent Michael Davids, in a recent interview on the Chicago Symphony website. “I was studying all these different composers from everywhere and all different periods of history, and here’s Louis.” Today’s Native American composers are as varied in outlook and aesthetic as the more than 500 tribes they represent. “Every single person on this planet has an incredibly robust and rich experience that is unique to that person,” said Jerod, adding that his own influences have included Motown, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, George Crumb, and the drum and bugle corps of his youth. The son of a prominent choreographer (Patricia Tate), he also looks to great dancer-choreographers of the early American tradition: Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Agnes de Mille. It was his Manx Irish mother who first commissioned a work from her son, which became her ballet Winter Moons. It was perhaps the first time Jerod realized he was the result of everything he had lived, from Beethoven to Ballard, Coltrane to the art and songs of his people. “She asked me to be all of who I am, all at the exact same time. And it made total sense.” To reach Paul Horsley, performing arts editor, send an email to paul@kcindependent.com or find him on Facebook (paul.horsley.501) or Twitter/Instagram (@phorsleycritic). More at kcindependent.com.

2024 CLASS OF RISING STARS THE INDEPENDENT INVITES YOU TO NOMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY FOR OUR 2024 CLASS OF RISING STARS! DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATION PACKETS: NOVEMBER 17, 2023.

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 45

Native Leaders Play A Key Role In Cultural Revival And Education Reform By Monica V. Reynolds

he era of the American frontier is a history passed down through generations. Yet, a particular chapter we don’t often hear of is stained with injustice. According to some, the ripple effects of European colonization and the Native American boarding schools they erected can still be felt among Indigenous communities. Within the walls of these institutions, the identities, language, and culture of Native people were stripped away. Today, Native communities are making strides to revive their culture and heal the past. Simultaneously, educators are working with Native leaders to address the inherent biases in the education system and build bridges with the broader community. To understand the changes taking place at present, it helps to first look to the past. Osage professors Dr. Alex Red Corn (Kansas State University) and Jimmy Lee Beason II (Haskell University faculty) share a belief in the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures and bringing about related reforms within the education system. Jimmy Beason, who teaches Indigenous Studies, asserts that Indigenous culture on the frontier was systematically eroded. Following the American Indian Wars, also known as the American Frontier Wars, the United States adopted a strategy to suppress potential uprisings. Natives were forced onto reservations, which Jimmy referred to as, “open air prisons.” Eventually, the Bureau of Indian Affairs pushed Indigenous people to undergo a forced assimilation where they began to live like European farmers. Additionally, they forcibly separated Native children from their families. The children were enrolled in boarding schools, which, contrary to their name, were anything but traditional educational environments. Although the schools provided vocational training, their main objective was to eradicate Indigenous heritage from young minds and assimilate Native youth. “There was this idea of Native people being savages and uncivilized,” Jimmy said. “They were being slowly turned into an ‘ideal American’. The schools emphasized individualism, concepts of private property, Christianity, and patriarchal notions of family.” These boarding schools were notoriously harsh environments where children endured mistreatment, and many lost their lives. According to Jimmy, those institutions created a legacy of trauma that continues in today’s Indigenous communities. “The so-called boarding ‘schools’ really damaged a lot of our people,” he said. “It’s a huge healing process for us right now to understand why we deal with the things we do in our communities. There was a lot of trauma that they endured and passed down to their own families. The only way they knew how to handle their children is what they experienced themselves, which was very abusive and degrading. So in some of our communities, we’re dealing with a lot of different types of dysfunction.” In an effort to heal and reclaim their heritage, Jimmy’s ancestral community, the Osage, have initiated a cultural and language revitalization program. “Today, we’re trying to reclaim those things that were taken, and learning language, getting reconnected with our spirituality, and trying to ensure our children know these things so they’re able to view themselves with a sense of pride, honor, and dignity that the children in these institutions’ so called boarding schools didn’t receive.” Despite the scarcity of fluent speakers, the Osage have developed their own writing system, using symbols that signify sounds, and the language is evolving. Additionally, the tribe offers ribbon work classes and hosts ceremonial dances like the Inlonschka during the summer, which serves as both a warriors’ dance and a celebration of the first-born son. According to Jimmy, the dance teaches values such as mutual respect, community, and support, which can be passed down to future generations, including his three children. For Jimmy, the dance is also a testament to Osage fortitude. “It brings a sense of pride and morale,” he said. “Despite everything that’s happened to us, the colonization, and also the Osage Indian murders that took place in the ‘20s, we are still doing these things. I think that speaks to our resiliency and also speaks to the way in which 46 | November 11, 2023 |

@KCIndependent

Dr. Alex Red Corn Jimmy Lee Beason II

these (cultural) things need to be protected.” Beyond the revival of cultural traditions, Jimmy and Alex say educational reforms are needed. According to Alex, to understand the importance of these reforms, it’s essential to examine the historical roots of educational institutions. Alex is an Educational Leadership Coordinator for Indigenous Partnerships at Kansas State University. He posits that universities, including Kansas State University, were originally designed to serve the incoming settlers. This inadvertently sidelined Indigenous culture and wisdom. “They were institutions of research for white settlers,” he said. “And you have generations of academic foundations being built entirely on Eurocentric ways of developing knowledge and understanding the world. What got completely pushed aside was Indigenous ways of knowing and understanding the world.” Alex went on to share that, in recent decades, a broad community of Indigenous scholars have played a pivotal role in challenging inherent biases in academia and reevaluating academic approaches. “There’s a collaborative ecosystem of people across the state and across institutions that are a part of this,” he said. Qualitative research methodologies have been central to this shift. Unlike traditional scientific approaches, qualitative methods delve into the complexities of human experience. Alex asserts this approach recognizes there isn’t a single pathway to knowledge. “It’s more complex than just one form of knowing science,” he said. “If we don’t confront those problematic histories and confront how they still kind of live on, then we can’t change our systems to improve how they operate in society and how they serve communities.” Additionally, Alex explained that mainstream education often falls short in addressing the specific needs of Native communities. While mechanisms exist for Native students to gain mainstream workforce skills, Native language, cultures, and history often take a backseat. Despite the presence of tribal colleges and universities catering to this need, Alex says the majority of Native students find themselves navigating the offerings of state public schools and universities. However, Native communities’ elders are strategically at work to safeguard their heritage for future generations. “What you’re seeing is this movement of resurgence,” he said. “Native people aren’t always trying to reclaim the past. They’re also looking at how they can adapt.” Despite these efforts, Alex acknowledges there is an absence of structured methods for facilitating Native education. This has resulted in a high turnover rate as educational leaders are left to learn on the job. As a result, Alex spearheaded the Educational Leadership Graduate Certificate

REMEMBER WHEN - 46 Years Ago

alls on the Country Club Plaza became a gallery-for-a-night for the Friends of Art beneﬁt (for Sacred Circles) preview of the joint showing by six Southwest American Indian artists. Champagne ﬂowed throughout the evening; the beat of the ceremonial tom-tom signaled a rush to watch the dancers; and there were huge baskets of pinon nuts, tostados, and pumpkin seeds for munching. Tanners Indian Art (Gallup, Scottsdale and San Diego) made possible the exhibit which continues through June 18th. William H. Haney

Robert Marshall, Mrs. Clarence Parsons, and Joyce C. Hall examine an inlaid bracelet made by Charles Loloma, a Hopi chief whose name means Many Beautiful Colors.

Program, available through Kansas State University. The program is geared toward providing a comprehensive curriculum that challenges conventional Eurocentric approaches. To that end, the program encourages critical thinking about existing systems and their impact on Indigenous communities. It also equips future education leaders with practical skills to initiate change at a programmatic level. Graduates are not only prepared to navigate the complexities of Native education but to also prepare non-Native students to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities. Alex said this program paves the way for a new generation of leaders, fostering understanding, respect, and collaboration among diverse communities. He likes to call it, “cultivating conditions for collaboration into the future.” Alex said, “If you have Natives and non-Natives learning more about Native cultures, tribal governments and all these things, then they’re more prepared to work across those lines.” Meanwhile, Jimmy Beason also advocates for reforms, including educating children about the historical signiﬁcance of the land upon which their school stands. He proposes integrating lessons about the land’s past, emphasizing events both pre- and post-1900, as many schools currently neglect the history of Native people beyond that year. “We’re always framed in this historical context where we don’t have any bearing on the present,” he said. “And it’s always about this kind of romanticization of Native people, you know, like ‘back in the day.’ But today, we’re trying to pay the bills like everyone else, while also trying to maintain our culture and our tradition.” Moreover, Jimmy strongly advocates for schools to discontinue the use of Indian mascots. “I think that only perpetuates stereotypes,” he said. “Those are just the caricatures of what non-Native people think Native people should be or are.” In closing, Jimmy emphasized the necessity of having more Native educators and advisors to increase representation and provide an accurate education about Native people. He pointed out the prevalence of misconceptions, saying that, as the most marginalized group in the country, Indigenous people remain overlooked and unaddressed in discussions. Within the education system, crucial aspects of Native history and culture are often omitted, leaving people to rely on inaccurate portrayals in movies or mascots. In summary, Dr. Alex Red Corn and Jimmy Beason’s insights call for a more accurate and balanced representation of Indigenous heritage in education. Native educators play a critical role in fostering understanding and dismantling stereotypes that perpetuate historical injustices. Moreover, by having their voices heard and included, Native American educators can lead the way to a more inclusive, accurate, and respectful portrayal of Indigenous cultures, which can be a bridge for societal understanding and mutual respect. More at kcindependent.com.

Painter R. C. Gorman stands between the Cliff C. Jones, Jrs. and the Byron Cohens.

The Harold Melchers with San Ildefonso potter Tony Da and Mrs. Da

The Donald McGraths, painter Fritz Scholder, Mrs. Scholder, Mrs. George Ehrlich, and Dr. Ehrlich Reprinted from the April 30, 1977 issue of The Independent.

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 47

Rachel ’s Reads

ith the resurgence of interest in Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, I felt that this list of First Nations and Native American authors is quite timely. There are a few authors who have entered into the national canon. Louise Erdrich is well known and well respected in literary fiction, Stephen Graham Jones is one of the best in horror, Sherman Alexie is an award winner in young adult literature, and Joy Harjo is the first Native American United States Poet Laureate. The five of them are fantastic authors, but there are many more Indigenous writers to read and enjoy. To help with that, here is a list of authors that I think more people should know. Eden Robinson Eden is a Canadian author and a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations. Her Trickster trilogy has been optioned by CBC in Canada, but my favorite of her books is Monkey Beach. It is a coming-of-age novel about family, ancestral traditions, and healing. Eden has a wonderful talent for really bringing places to life.

Marcie R. Rendon Marcie is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and her crime novels should deﬁnitely be on your radar. Start with Murder on the Red River, which is set in 1970’s Minnesota. Between the atmosphere and the action, it is hard to put down. I would have the follow up, Girl Gone Missing, nearby once you ﬁnish. Leslie Marmon Silko Leslie is an American writer of Laguna Pueblo descent. She was a debut recipient of the MacArthur Foundation Grant in 1981 and won a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Her catalog is extensive and includes short stories, poetry, and novels. Her debut novel, Ceremony, is arguably her most famous, however my favorite has always been Almanac of the Dead. Not for the faint of heart, it is built on the writings of the Maya and puts Western culture on trial. It’s a complicated puzzle but an amazing journey.

Billy-Ray Belcourt Billy-Ray is a poet, scholar, and author from the Driftpile Cree Nation in Canada and the youngest winner of the Grifﬁn Poetry Prize for This Wound is a World. His recent novel, A Minor Chorus, is outstanding. His unnamed narrator chronicles a series of encounters which help him wrestle with the cycles of violence, drugs, and survival. Joshua Whitehead Joshua is an Obji-Cree member of the Peguis First Nation and has incredible range. He ﬁrst came to my attention through his debut work, Jonny Appleseed, but it’s his essay collection, Making Love with the Land, that I absolutely loved. In this collection, he explores relationships between the body, language, and the land in moving prose.

N. Scott Momaday N. Scott is a member of the Kiowa Gourd Dance Society and a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his 1969 book, House Made of Dawn. His 2020 poetry collection, Earth Keeper: Reﬂections on the American Land, is dazzling. He writes an impassioned defense of the earth as a place of wonder and abundance.

Although I chose to focus on authors with more extensive catalogs that have been writing for a while, there are a few more recent releases and authors that I would love people to discover. Tommy Orange’s There There, Oscar Hokeah’s Calling for a Blanket Dance, Morgan Talty’s Night of the Living Rez, Angeline Boulley’s Warrior Girl Unearthed, Brandon Hobson’s The Removed, and David Treuer’s The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (which was on my best-of list in 2019). Hopefully among this list, you will ﬁnd something to spark your interest.

Sara Marie Photography

Linda LeGarde Grover Linda is an Anishinaabe novelist and short story writer from Minnesota. Her novel, In the Night of Memory, is one that will stick with you. The prose is absolutely beautiful. Alternating between different perspectives, it tells the story of two sisters who are lost and ﬁnd family and themselves on an Ojibwa reservation.

Cherie Dimaline Cherie is a Métis writer who has written award-winning ﬁction. Her back catalog is deep, but I recommend this year’s release, VenCo, which is a fantastically entertaining romp about witches on a scavenger hunt across America that is leading to a magical showdown.

Happy Reading!

The Blue River Forest Experience in Overland Park offers a variety of nature-based programs and self-enriching experiences for kids and adults. It is located on the edge of the valley by the Big Blue River where Coffee Creek and Wolf Creek meet. This was the main campground of the Black Bob Chief, a Native American Shawnee Chief of the “Skipakakamithagi,” or “blue water people,” because they lived along the Big Blue River. The area is considered sacred because the original people believed that where two rivers meet was a good place to send prayers and good intentions down the river for the healing of the world. The Blue River is the largest watershed in the Kansas City area and travels through the Kansas City Zoo into the Missouri River. The organization is collaborating with the Heartland Conservation Alliance in an attempt to protect the southern portion of the river in its natural healthy wild state. The dedicated individuals behind this inspirational concept are Kelly Daniels, Ben Daniels, Nissa Aleman, and Joy Ellsworth. Visit blueriverforestexperience.org for more information. 48 | November 11, 2023 |

@theindependentkc

Did you know..… Did you know… that there were four original Tribes in what is now the United States: Algonquin, Iroquois, Muskhogean, and Siouan? Did you know… the four original Tribes inhabiting Kansas were: Kanza (Kaw), Osage, Pawnee, and Comanche?

ConneCtions

By Anne Potter Russ

Cherokees Living In Today’s World C

omplicated - the word that comes to mind most often when contemplating life today, in 2023, as a Native American Indian. Living, working, playing, raising children, worshipping, building a life and some wealth, honoring culture, sustaining family traditions - all of those seemingly normal activities are bestowed a level of complication when trying to carry it all as a person whose ancestors have been through so much - on the very soil where we live. How is it possible to square the past and present and future, while juggling the sins and saints? How can we better understand the past and the people - our peers - now? Scott Gregory is a resident of Roeland Park, a practicing CPA, a husband, father, grandfather, and a Cherokee. Scott has been actively involved in the Cherokee community for decades - both in Kansas City, and in the headquarters of the tribe, Tahlequah, Oklahoma. In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, Scott served as the finance director. In 1990, he was appointed to the newly formed Cherokee Tax Commission, whose mission is: “The purpose of the Cherokee Nation Tax Code is to raise revenues, in a fair and efficient manner, to enable the government of the Cherokee Nation to provide services to Cherokee Nation citizens and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency and a strong tribal government.” The Cherokee Nation has recently re-elected Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., and he has delivered his 2023 State of the Nation speech with priorities. Tribal sovereignty is a clear priority with the “assertion Scott, Shana, and Waynell Gregory of its culture and artifacts, which has been taken by outside parties and damaged the identity of the Nation and its people.” He also vows that his administration will attain the reauthorization of the Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act. On January 5, 2023, the Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act became law. “The purpose of this legislation is to support Native American language reclamation efforts, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and duplications that impede these efforts, and also to assess the status of the vitality of Native American languages.” Additionally, Chief Hoskin, Jr. is dedicated to improving health care in the Cherokee Nation. His budget is bold - a record $3.8 billion. Why does all of this matter? The Cherokee language is one of the last surviving Native American Indian languages. Through the assimilation efforts referenced in our timeline, language, culture, identity, arts, literature, health, and Cherokee Nation Principal history have been lost - much of it permanently. The Cherokee language is a “polysynthetic” language - “A single Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. Cherokee word can convey ideas that would require multiple English words to express, from the context of the assertion and connotations about the speaker to the idea’s action and its object.” Because language is so important to any civilization, it is imperative to Natives that this language be saved. Scott tells a humorous anecdote about how, as a tribal project, the Cherokee attempted to have IBM make a “ball” for their Selectric typewriter. It seems that it might have been an impossible request, as the language is much too large to be captured on a single revolving ball. While it might be complicated, it is also a perfect representation of the Cherokee attempts to save their culture. Another local Cherokee, Joseph Gray, and his wife, Connie, (residents of Independence), are so interested in preserving the heritage and language that they are taking lessons and teaching their grandchildren as they go. Joseph’s family is Cherokee, and his identity has been formed through the family lore, and his attendance at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. Originally opened in 1884 as a trade school for Indian children, it grew into an accredited junior college, and, in 1993, the current name was adopted. Joseph was allowed to delve further into his Cherokee heritage - beyond what his parents had given him - by attending a school dedicated to the national preservation of Indian culture. Connie Gray considers herself Cherokee, as does her family. Their belief is that if one is married into the Nation, and adopts the culture and heritage and traditions, then that is all the codification needed. She speaks wistfully about how important the Cherokee Nation is to her husband and their extended family. The food, the traditions, Susie Chopper Esterline posed with the stories, the language - all play a part in their everyday lives. Connie’s professional training and background is grandson Joseph Gray at his Haskell Indian Nations University graduation. teaching, but she has also been trained as a death doula - an end-of-life guide who helps a person and their family transition through the dying process. Connie takes this role very seriously, as she has had to help transition her own family members recently. She feels that the role of death doula is very close at heart to the Cherokee values of earth elements, and the belief that the world should have balance, harmony, cooperation, and respect. Her practice speaks to her and Joseph’s quiet, respectful regard for their Tribal Nation. Respect for elders is one more piece of this magnificent culture that should be celebrated, and Connie is doing her part. What Scott and Joseph and Connie all mention are the following thoughts for the rest of us as we try to understand their loss, grieving, and reclamation: They have lost so much; every facet of their lives has been assimilated and appropriated. They are holding on to the pieces of their ancestors’ history tightly as the stories need to be perpetuated. Their hope is that we will come to understand their angst regarding specific local cultural appropriations. Their hope is that we will let them decide how to continue to speak their language and possibly teach us some of it. Their pride in their Cherokee heritage is palpable and contagious. In profiling a bit about our peers, it is our hope that it provides a personal glimpse The Gray Family: Susan Owens, Stephanie Jackson, into the love they have of the past, and the hopes they have for the future. Ray Esterline, Mary Lee Ellis, Susie Chopper Esterline, More at kcindependent.com. Suzanne Gray, and Joseph Gray (out of camera range) Connie Gray

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 49

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s impressive collection of Native American objects began in 1933 when works purchased from the Fred Harvey Company in Kansas City and the Museum of the American Indian/Heye Foundation in New York, now the National Museum of the American Indian, were delivered. The collection continued to grow throughout the next seven decades with generous donations from the community, including gifts from Donald D. Jones, Estelle and Morton Sosland, and Joanne and Lee Lyon. Virginia and Fred Merrill endowed a curatorship in 2002, a department of Native American art was established, and Gaylord Torrence was hired as the founding curator. In 2009, a suite of three galleries featuring more than 200 works of art of Native peoples was opened. Visit nelson-atkins.org to learn more.

FABULOUS Night T

he ﬁrst-ever Night at the Mission fundraising event took place at the Shawnee Indian Mission on October 13th to celebrate the historic landmark. Hosted by the Shawnee Indian Mission Foundation, and chaired by Jenny Waldeck, the evening boasted four conversations with experts in the ﬁelds of Mission history, master gardening, Missouri Free Trappers, and architecture. The bluegrass band added just the right touch of entertainment. More at kcindependent.com.

Did you know..… that the Scout statue, created by Cyrus E. Dallin in 1915, and residing at Penn Valley Park, was made a permanent ﬁxture in Kansas City in 1922 via a fundraiser?

The First Peoples Festival was held recently at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. The intertribal event celebrates the Arboretum’s Medicine Wheel, which was built more than 20 years ago under the leadership of Chief Yellow Eyes of the Southern Cheyenne Nation. The sacred wheel is now a gathering place for First Peoples around the region. Visitors enjoyed music, dances, food, crafts, demonstrations, and other entertainment while paying tribute to ﬁrst peoples’ cultures, both past and present.

Merritt and Kevin McShane posed with Courtney and Jason Angilan.

Did you know..… the Shawnee Indian Mission served as a manual training school for Indian children from 1839 to 1862? It is now a Kansas State Historic Site on 12 acres in Fairway, Kansas. In November 2018, scientists of the University of São Paulo and Harvard University released a study of Luzia Woman, an 11,500-year-old skeleton of a Paleo-Indian woman who was found in a cave in Brazil. While initially believed to be part of the wave of Asian migrants, DNA and other evidence have shown this to be improbable. Using DNA sequencing, the results showed that Luzia was “entirely Amerindian,” genetically. In 2020, Congress passed a law to transition the management of a bison range on more than 18,000 acres of undeveloped land in northwest Montana from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Ann and Dave Flanders ﬂanked Jenny Waldeck, event chairman.

Did you know..… that currently there are more than 98 American Indian tribes in the Kansas City metro area? the Wyandot (Wyandotte) Tribe originated in lands adjacent to Lake Ontario in Ohio? that turquoise was originally discovered in Egypt? More recently, turquoise in jewelry making has been attributed to the Acoma Pueblo Indians in New Mexico. Seaman, the Newfoundland dog traveling with Lewis and Clark, was the only animal to complete the entire trip?

50 | November 11, 2023 |

@The Independent: Kansas City’s Journal of Society

Yoly and Larry Nordling

Crafting Cultural Connections Through Native American Jewelry By Monica V. Reynolds

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 51

Dessa Starr

“I watched him paint, sew, bead, and do quillwork. cross cultures, jewelry has long held social, So I really was inspired because of how exquisite economic, and personal value. It allows people his work was.” to express their identity, personality, and Beyond the painstaking measures to prepare individuality. Within Native American culture, the materials and infuse the right energy into the jewelry takes on a more spiritual role, offering work, Julia incorporates traditional symbolic pathways to healing and cultural reconnection. motifs into her designs. These geometric designs In some cases, Native American jewelry may often depict abstract designs of teepees, act as a bridge to initiate meaningful dialogues plants, and other natural elements. Julia said her and forge connections between Indigenous work is also inspired by the beadwork she has communities and the wider society. seen throughout her life, attending powwows. She Lawrence jewelry artist, Monique Mercurio, hails learned beadwork and sewing from her parents as an from the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation. She adolescent rite of passage during a womanhood ceremony. founded the jewelry brand, Merc Tribe Designs, and is the Today, she puts those skills to work, creating masterful event coordinator for the Art Love Collective, in which her Designs by beadwork inspired by her culture. “I get jewelry inspiration from jewelry and other local artisan wares are sold. Beyond the storefront Julia White Bull, powwows,” she said. “You see these older women wearing this location, Monique showcases her jewelry on Instagram where she jewelry artist extravagant jewelry. And when they say ‘I did it,’ I’m like, wow! fulfills custom requests. These pieces are not only beautiful but I can do it too. I deeply enjoy doing art.” serve to aid in healing, a tradition passed down through generations of Both Monique and Julia teach jewelry making workshops for the general matriarchs in her family. “My grandmother taught me the healing properties public and for their Indigenous communities. Not only do these workshops of stones and how those are connected to our culture,” she said. “When teach non-Natives Indigenous skills, they also bring Native communities I got older, I incorporated that with jewelry making.” together, which Monique said has a healing quality. “Those classes or Monique said her custom designs are crafted to provide support in areas workshops that I hold for my intertribal relatives aren’t just teaching them of life that cater to the wearer’s unique needs. Each bead carries a prayer or a positive thought for the person for whom it’s created. This is why Monique begins each commission by getting to know her client and understanding their individual and spiritual needs. Client requests vary, from enhancing positive qualities to providing emotional strength during challenging times. “With that information, I have a little private ceremony in my studio and ask Creator to guide me through the kind of medicine that you need,” she said. “I incorporate colors, stones, and different patterns, and come up with a creation that is almost like a wearable talisman – a reminder.” In the same vein, Julia White Bull, a jewelry artist from Lawrence and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, emphasized the significance of intention when working with beads and stones. She explained that negative emotions can influence both the creative process and the wearer of the jewelry. Therefore, in her culture, maintaining positive energy is essential. As a result, she strives to infuse positivity into every aspect of her work, which she showcases on Facebook and Instagram. “If I’m not in a good headspace, my artwork will come out sloppy, and those feelings go into that artwork,” she said. “I feel like I’ll put that off on whoever buys it or I give it to. So I do a lot of my artwork when I’m in a really good head space.” Apart from the positive intentions infused into her work, Monique noted that her work has had other positive outcomes. The jewelry has captivated non-Indigenous people, creating opportunities to spread awareness about Native American culture. “I’m given the opportunity to share about my culture with others and help allies become more supportive and more understanding of what that allyship looks like,” she said. “Having Native American-made jewelry out in the public, on all kinds of people, brings awareness to the fact that we’re still here. We’re still creating very potent medicine. And we’re still here to share our journey, share who we are.” In addition, selling her work allows a broader range of people the rare opportunity to own custom Native American jewelry, which is not readily available in mainstream fashion. While mass-market fashion might mimic the beauty of Indigenous designs, Monique notes this is appropriation – not appreciation. Moreover, true Native jewelry is one of a kind, and infused Merc Tribe Designs with painstaking effort and intentionality. “I like to use the hashtag, a technique on how to bead,” Monique said. “It’s medicine to be together, #NativeCouture, because I want people to understand that what bead or and to have those conversations, and putting that kind of medicine into the quill artists create is so couture,” she said. “It’s unlike the kind of couture work that we’re creating makes for very potent healing art.” that mainstream media thinks of. Our items are harvested from the earth.” Julia said that by teaching, she can carry on a legacy of art passed down As an example, quill workers harvest porcupine quills from the land. They from one generation to the next. “I don’t want this art to go to waste, then clean and hand dye the quills. “It takes a while,” Julia said. “Your hands and I want other people to pick it up,” she said. “When I’m gone someday bleed. You have to dye them. It’s a lot of work.” While Julia does not focus I want it to continue just like how my dad is gone now and I’m still on quillwork, she did witness her father at work on the craft. “My father continuing his legacy.” More at kcindependent.com. was really a distinguished artist, and he passed away in 2012,” she said.

E S TA B L I S H E D 1 8 9 9 | K A N S A S C I T Y ’ S J O U R N A L O F S O C I E T Y | K C I N D E P E N D E N T. C O M

Wednesday, December 6th 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FEATURING ONE-OF-A-KIND ITEMS FROM LOCAL MAKERS AND ARTISTS.

STUDIO BECKER

CHOCOLATES SWEETS TREATS

ROCK CREEK CROCKERY Work for a non profit, or have an organization that you care deeply about?

Stop by and enter the non profit into our raffle. One lucky organization will be the winner of 10 percent of all purchases made that day!

2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 • Prairie Village, KS 66208 • 816.471.2800 TEN PERCENT OF ALL PURCHASES WILL BE DONATED TO A LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

52 | November 11, 2023 |

@KCIndependent

• Calendar OF Events •

NOVEMBER

Fireside Committee of the Kansas City Art Institute; Fabulous Fifties Fundraiser; Benefiting student scholarships for KCAI; fifties-themed 11 evening with cocktails, dinner, video, Elvis impersonator, and dancing; $200. Contact Lynne Weilert: jlweilert@aol.com, or Patty Bibler at 816-305-0991. Johnson County Community College Foundation; Some Enchanted 11 Evening Gala; The 37th annual event includes a social hour, program, six-course dinner, and dancing; black-tie; 6 p.m. Contact Judi Reilly: 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 or 913-469-2718 or jreilly@jccc.edu. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; Gala; Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Museum in connection with the exhibition, 11 Monet and His Modern Legacy. The evening will begin with cocktails and viewing of the exhibition, followed by dinner in the magnificent Kirkwood Hall; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; 6 p.m.; $500. Contact Emily Sanger: 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-751-1360 or nelson-atkins.org or esanger@nelson-atkins.org. Special Olympics Kansas; The Victory Gala After Party; The Victory Gala afterparty is an opportunity for individuals in the 11 community to support Special Olympics Kansas athletes. We will have live music, numerous photo opportunities, dessert bar, bonfire, and live auction!; Children’s Mercy Park; 9 p.m.; $100. Contact Ryan Warren: 5280 Foxridge Drive, Mission, Kansas 66202 or 913-600-2910 or soks.org/victory-gala or warrenr@soks.org.

OurTown

High Aspirations; Mentors Challenge 2023; This occasion is an opportunity for you to recognize a mentor to whom you owe part 16 of your success - that special someone who took the time to make a positive difference in your life; $250. Contact Henry Wash: 803 East 27th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-305-3334 or highaspirationskc.org or admin@highaspirationskc.org. Folly Theater; Folly Frolic; Celebrate with drinks, appetizers, and more followed by a world-class performance in the “Carnegie Hall 18 of the Plains”; Folly Theater; 6 p.m. Contact Rick Truman: 300 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 or 816-842-5500 or follytheater.org or rick@follytheater.org. Newhouse; Imagine a Day Gala; Guests will enjoy a chef-inspired meal, signature cocktails, outstanding entertainment, and live and 18 silent auctions. The best part of the evening will be hearing Newhouse’s stories of survival and hope; Loews Kansas City Hotel; 6 p.m.; $250. Contact Chris Stibbs: P.O. Box 240019, Kansas City, Missouri 64124 or 816-462-0508 or newhousekc.org/gala or chris@newhousekc.org. Jewish Community Relations Bureau|AJC; The JCRB|AJC 2023 19 Human Relations Event; Celebrate civic and community leader Joe Reardon as he receives the prestigious Henry W. Bloch Human Relations Award, which is presented annually to an outstanding individual who leads by example, lives a life of selflessness, inspires, is dedicated to justice, and makes our community a better place in which to live; The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center; 5 p.m.; $350. Contact Hillary Thomas: 5801 West 115th Street, Suite 203, Overland Park, Kansas 66211 or 913-327-8184 or jcrbajc.org or hillaryt@jewishkc.org.

by Charlie Podrebarac

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 53

ON THE COVER

to December 2 Child Protection Center; Holidays in Crestwood; 30 Event details to be determined; The Crestwood Shops; 6 p.m. Contact Laura Willeke: 3101 Broadway, Suite 750, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-778-8002 or cpckc.org/holidaysincrestwood or lwilleke@cpckc.org.

DECEMBER

Kansas City Ballet Guild; The Nutcracker Ball; Enjoy a fabulous evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Ball underwriters and 1benefactors will also enjoy a separate reception; The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center; 6:30 p.m. Contact Jo Anne Dondlinger: P.O. Box 872703, Kansas City, Missouri 64187 or 816-931-2232 or kcballetball.org or balletball@kcballet.org. Child Protection Center; Holidays in Crestwood; Event details to be determined; The Crestwood Shops; 6 p.m. Contact Laura 1-2 Willeke: 3101 Broadway, Suite 750, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 or 816-778-8002 or cpckc.org/holidaysincrestwood or lwilleke@cpckc.org. Junior League of Wyandotte & Johnson Counties; Community Ball and Cotillion; The longstanding celebration recognizes high 2school students for their academics, leadership, and community service. This black-tie event includes dinner, dancing, and a silent auction; Kansas City Marriott Downtown; 7 p.m.; $250. Contact Meg Leach: 8101 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas 66210 or 913-371-2303 or jlwjc.org/events/community-ball or headquarters@jlwjc.org. City Ballet; Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball; An enchanting experience awaits you! Feel the magic as the Sugar Plum 2FairyKansas leads you on an adventure filled with whimsy and wonder. Delight in exciting activities, a delicious three-course luncheon, and more, before you are whisked away to a performance of The Nutcracker; The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center; 10:30 a.m. Contact Grace Ingham: 500 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-216-5589 or kcballet.org/sugar-plum or gingham@kcballet.org. Olathe Health Charitable Foundation; 52nd Annual Yuletide Gala; Guests will enjoy a fabulous dinner and drinks, entertainment, 2unique auction items, inspiring patient stories, and dancing; Overland Park Convention Center; 6 p.m. Contact Rob Wyrick: 20375 West 151st Street, Suite 325, Olathe, Kansas 66061 or 913-355-4216 or bidpal.net/yuletidegala or ohcf@olathehealth.org.

Sneak Peek

In The Next Issue

packages to benefit BBBSKC. You can expect live music, entertainment, inspiring mission moments, and incredible, live and silent auction packages; The Midland Theatre. Contact Kristi Hutchison: 1709 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 or 816-820-2275 or bbbskc.org or kristi@bbbskc.org.

The BOTAR Ball was held on October 28th, with Nancy Wilkerson serving as this year’s BOTAR president.

E S TA B L I S H E D 1 8 9 9 | K A N S A S C I T Y ’ S J O U R N A L O F S O C I E T Y | K C I N D E P E N D E N T. C O M

Publisher • Rachel Lewis Falcon Editor • Nancy Sachse Art Director • Lisa M. Shea Non-profit Director and Digital Media Strategist • Annie England Director of Sales and Production • Lauren Cashman Performing Arts Editor • Paul Horsley Content Manager • Anne Potter Russ Director of Program Guide Operations • Christin Painter Office and Circulation Manager • Laura Gabriel Feature Writers • Monica V. Reynolds and Anne Potter Russ Cartoonist • Charlie Podrebarac If you are interested in promoting your business to more than 750,000 community members in the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and Starlight Theatre Program Guides, please contact Christin Painter: christin@kcindependent.com.

Our office is located at: 2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 Prairie Village, KS 66208 • 816.471.2800 Subscription Rate: $50.00 • Vol. CXXIV November 11, 2023 No. 23 All editorial photos were submitted by the event’s sponsoring organization, unless otherwise stated.

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Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City; Most Wanted Auction; A high energy party featuring Kansas City’s Most Wanted Honorees 9whoBig have worked to put together fundraising campaigns and auction

@theindependentkc

The Starﬁsh Project Foundation in Olathe offers free support to meet the basic needs of the more than 2,000 people it serves every month. Its outreach includes supplying full-sized toiletry bags and weekend food bags for kids, free haircuts, clothing and household items, free dental, vision, and health screenings, and more. The organization also works closely with the Olathe School District and other schools in the Kansas City metro area to provide resources for families with the goal of keeping kids in school and thriving. Their work involves sharing and redistributing resources in partnership with a growing number of local organizations, including KidsTLC, reStart, El Centro, KVC, Inclusion Connections, and more. Visit starﬁshproject21.org for more information.

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tradition since 1899 Scan the QR Code or contact Laura Gabriel at 816.471.2800 to start your subscription.

THE ELEMENTS OF NATURE

The on Society

Wichita War Dancer is a member of the Tohono O’odham and Ponca Nations. He has been dancing since he was a child, and his passion is to preserve the culture that his ancestors sacrificed their lives and freedoms for.

Physical

Spiritual

Earth

Fire

1. Mikah Sky Whitecloud and Wichita War Dancer

4. Wichita War Dancer and Southern Cloth Dancer Simone Toppah

Juan Victors with his son, Wichita War Dancer

Mental

AIR

Water 2. Wichita War Dancer and Southern Fancy War Dancer Joe Bointy

“Mother Earth’s health, her nature, and that of our Indigenous Peoples are intertwined, inseparable. As Indigenous Peoples, we are of the Earth and the Earth is of us. Mother Earth is life. This inseparable relationship must be respected through rights-based instruments for the sake of our future generations and for the well-being of the Earth herself, for all people, for all life.” - Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca Nation Elder, Emmy award winning actress, author, and an internationally renowned Native and Human Rights and Environmental Justice Activist Photos 1-3 taken in Medicine Lodge, Kansas at the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty celebration. Photo 4 taken at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Celebrating National American Indian Heritage Month | kcindependent.com |November 11, 2023 | The Independent | 55