Students explore similarities of American Indian, black histories

Del Criscenzo was visiting the Smithsonian Museum when a friend pointed out a movie in the gift shop.

“Black Indians: An American Story” combined Criscenzo’s love of American Indian and black history. As an African American and African Diaspora Studies graduate student, she knew she had to buy the film.

Criscenzo, the treasurer for the American Indian Student Association, and the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center collaborated to show and discuss the movie in honor of National American Indian Heritage Month on Wednesday.

The showing was held in the office of the FNECC, but was moved to a larger meeting room as students filled the room for the 7 p.m. screening.

“The need to belong becomes complex when you don’t belong to just one group,” said professor Claudia Drieling, who offered an extra credit opportunity to one of her classes if students attended the showing.

Drieling said she thought the video balanced the history of Native Americans and blacks with the experiences of people who are black American Indians.

After the film, students had a few minutes to speak about their experiences. Sophomore Erin Smith said she had Native American, black and European heritages, but her family members never talked about their American Indian background. She came to the event to see what other students had to say and said she plans to find out more about her American Indian heritage.

“It’s interesting. It’s unique. I like it,” Smith said.

Criscenzo said she thought Americans should talk more about race to learn not to be afraid of people’s differences and not assume things about others. She asked the audience members to take what they learned from the movie and to pass on the knowledge.

“Education brings understanding,” Criscenzo said.

The film concentrated on the history of American Indians and blacks and their alliances forged in colonial America. It described black American Indians as “the great unknown American story.”

“We tend to be defined by how people define us,” said junior Nathen Steininger, president of the American Indian Student Association.

The film highlighted black American Indians and their struggle to reclaim their identity.
Criscenzo said checking the “other” box for ethnicity does not give people the chance to explain their heritage. She added people often identify with the heritage with which they were brought up.

The black Indians interviewed in the film said they will raise their children to embrace both black and American Indian culture.

Steininger said he thought the movie discussed interesting issues about identity, but the questions raised about race, identity and culture are too complex for a simple answer.

For more events and information about National American Indian Heritage Month, visit the FNECC Web site at www.indiana.edu/~fnecc/.