By TANYA KEENE
SANTA FE—The Institute of American Indian Arts and the New Mexico School for the Deaf are making history. They are building a bridge between the two schools.
Felicia Sedillo will be the first person to cross that bridge. Sedillo, a graduate from NMSD, will be attending IAIA next year.
“I am very excited…but I am also nervous to do this since IAIA has never had a deaf student attend classes there. It will be an interesting experience for all of us,” Sedillo said in an email interview.
“I am hoping to learn more about photography. Being a photographer is my passion. I have some experience with photographing special events. But I love taking photographs in art expression. I would like to get a BFA degree and start my own business.”
Making The Transition
This bridge will allow other NMSD students, Native and non-Native alike, to begin their transition from high school to college if they choose.
As seniors, NMSD students will have the opportunity to take courses at IAIA for credit. Their IAIA transcripts will transfer to other colleges should they attend. In order to make the transition smoother, IAIA will offer a sign language class next year, which will count toward language or museum studies credit.
As for other IAIA courses, an interpreter will be on hand for NMSD students while they are in class. If an interpreter is not available, classes will be recorded and interpreted later for NMSD students.
The long term goal is that students from NMSD can attend IAIA full-time and live in the dorms as well.
“I’m excited,” said Ann Filemyr, IAIA dean of academics, who worked with the deaf program in Milwaukee. “There’s great potential here. It’s a win-win situation…one that will enrich both communities.
“The deaf culture will only add to the diversity of the classrooms and the dorms already at IAIA,” Filemyr said.
Enhancing Cultural Experiences
When asked how this idea began, Filemyr stated that IAIA student Natasha “Tash” Terry, who is a sponsor for the Strong & Silent Council, a liaison and an interpreter at NMSD, is the main inspiration behind this project.
“This has been my prayer since I was eleven,” said Tash. “I thought it would be nice to be instrumental in bringing Natives in deaf culture together as allies with IAIA to enhance cultural experiences.”
“Tash is the one who brought NMSD President Ron Stern, and Multi-Cultural Specialist Carla Garcia to IAIA last semester. Tash also took a group of IAIA students to participate in the Feast Day that was held at NMSD last semester,” Filemyr said.
Stern and his wife along with some of the NMSD staff attended the opening of “Lifting the Veil” at the IAIA museum. A group of young NMSD students also saw the show. “It was their first time in the IAIA museum. It was special because they saw the show before the public opening,” Filemyr said.
“I think it is very crucial for deaf students who are Native to take the opportunity to enroll (at) IAIA since they will be surrounded by other Native people who care about their future. Many of them will discover their hidden talents and use them in their career planning,” Garcia said in an email interview.
Regarding Sedillo’s enrollment at IAIA, Garcia said, “I think it’s an exciting opportunity for both IAIA and Felicia.”
Sedillo has some words for current NMSD students: “I would like to tell the younger students to just follow their hearts. If they want to go to IAIA, then go for it! I think it is (a) great school for someone who is fascinated with the arts.”
A 3-D & Visual Language
Tash signed a simple story:
“Tree.” Tash bent her arm and lifted it in front of her, palm open.
“Windy.” She began wiggling her fingers, and swayed her arm back and forth.
“Man.” With the other hand, she made a ONE standing upright with her pointer finger.“Stagger.” She staggered her pointer.
She made a “drunk-like” facial expression which represented the face of the man, her pointer.
Tash then made the man hit the tree and fall.
“A drunk man was walking. He hit the tree and fell. That’s a story. It’s visual and three dimensional—like the art here at IAIA,” said Tash.
There’s no doubt about it, the optimism within both communities is there. The funds however aren’t. “We have to find funding,” Filemyr said. “Once IAIA begins to have deaf students, the school will need to provide interpreters for them. We are looking into this and do not yet know the cost.”
Although funding is not yet in place, both communities are excite.d “Did you know, in the Fall of ‘07, it was possible for NMSD students to attend IAIA but there were scheduling conflicts with the academic calendars (for both schools). They did not line up; breaks were different and classes started on different dates,” said Filemyr and paused. “We’ll get it right, eventually.”
Photos courtesy of NMSD staff
Copyright © 2007 IAIA CHRONICLE
“I would like to tell the younger students (at NMSD) to just follow their hearts. If they want to go to IAIA then go for it! I think it is a great school for someone who is fascinated with the arts.”—Felicia Sedillo, Incoming IAIA Freshman
In the foreground, NDN Writers Club members, from left to right, James Honaberger, Valencia Tso-Yazzie,
Layli Long Soldier.
“The deaf culture will only add to the diversity of the classrooms and the dorms already at IAIA.”—Ann Filemyr, IAIA Dean of Academics.
“I thought it would be nice to be instrumental in bringing Natives in deaf culture together as allies with IAIA to enhance cultural experiences.”—Natasha Terry, IAIA Student
“I think it is very crucial for deaf students who are Native to take the opportunity to enroll (at) IAIA since they will be surrounded by other Native people who care about their future. Many of them will discover their hidden talents and use them in their career planning.”—Carla Garcia, NMSD Multi-Cultural Specialist
Feast Day volunteer, Karen Rencountre
