2nd Place - High School Division
Team Teepee
Claremore High School
Claremore, OK
Oklahoma: A Political Powwow
The Native American theme was selected for our collage because it represents Oklahoma political history. From the time the Five Civilized Tribes traversed the Trail of Tears due to the Indian Removal Acts to the present-day tribal casinos created through the new gaming laws, politics have always encompassed conferences and negotiations between party factions. Our collage epitomizes politics at its finest-Oklahoma Native America: a land of political powwows.
The setting of the collage is a campfire. In the background is the Oklahoma State Seal with its five-pointed star. The five points symbolize the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole. This is considered a tribute to the state's Indian heritage. The teepees on the LEFT represent the Democratic Party while the ones on the RIGHT characterize the Republicans. Obviously, this is a referral to the conservatives and liberals of the political spectrum- terms created during the French Revolution. As the teepees disappear in the horizon they signify the "middle" ground of the two parties. Each has different agendas but what makes Oklahoma great is that both groups are willing to compromise for the good of the people. Eyes are naturally drawn to the warmth of the fire in the center of the collage. The fire represents all the passion and controversy in politics.
People are the most important representative of Oklahoma politics. Brad Henry is our state's governor and he is leading the powwow. As he once said, "Let us be bold. Let us be brave. Let us be together." He is working with all the people for the betterment Oklahoma. Also next to him is the little giant, Carl Albert. At our meeting he restates his belief, "I like to face issues in terms of conditions and not in terms of someone's inborn political philosophy." Wilma Mankiller is in our circle because she was a Chief of the Cherokee tribe that drew national attention to positive Indian pride. Geronimo looks a little standoffish and no wonder! He is still upset that he was incarcerated at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Next to the famous Apache is Robert S. Kerr, one of Oklahoma's most prominent politicians. George Nigh and David Boren seemed to be conversing about issues. Both are moderate Democrats who are great statesmen. Boren is possibly quoting an old speech of his, "It is the simple things that make the difference: Honesty, knowing right from wrong, openness, self-respect, and the courage of conviction." Warming up his bow and arrow is "Alfalfa" Bill Murray, one of the state's more colorful governors. He is famous for his part in the "Red River War" which took place in the summer of 1931. During a controversy over a bridge across the Red River, Murray, armed with an antique revolver, stood with the National Guard in the war zone. Will Rogers is in the middle scratching his head. He is probably thinking, "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Our capitol's statue, The Guardian is on the left watching over the proceeding at the campfire as he does at the Capitol Building. The Native Americans at the bottom of the collage represent all Oklahomans who participate in politics as active voting citizens.
Every symbol on the Native American lodges represents Oklahoma: the buffalo represents our Native American heritage, the white-tail deer is Oklahoma's game animal, wheat is one of our major agricultural crops, the rose rock is our state's official rock stone, the black swallowtail is our butterfly, the drum is the state's instrument, the official tree is the redbud tree, the white bass is our state fish, the Indian Blanket is Oklahoma's flower and the scissortail is the state's bird. Others emblems on the teepee represent various aspects of Oklahoma.
A powwow is a meeting to find answers, solve problems, and create camaraderie among groups. Our collage has tried to convey that feeling. This is summed up in the words of Governor Henry, "No matter where you stand politically - even if you're unsure of what your political ideology is - it is important to take part in the process of shaping our government."... in an Oklahoma Political Powwow.
Political Powwow
Claremore High School
Gifted Humanities Class
Students: Whitney Hildebrand & Kale Orban
Teacher: Jan McClaren |
