Loud, booming drum beats shook the usually silent halls of the Law School's Hutchins Hall last night.
The music was accompanied by an Honors Song chanted in the Menominee language in tribute to Mary Al Balber, an assistant attorney general in Minnesota who spoke to students last night. Five of the Treetown Singers, a group of local Native American performers, participated in the chant.
Balber, who is part of the Red Cliff band of the Ojibwe Indians, spoke to almost 30 people about her experiences with today's court system, which she said frequently discriminates against Native Americans.
Balber was one of the first speakers to come to campus during Native American Heritage Month, which runs through the end of November.
"This month we're very excited about people like Mary Al, Ada Deer - strong voices for our people," said Shannon Martin, Native American coordinator for the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs.
Students said they were glad to hear from a positive Native American role model.
"I thought it was inspiring to see a Native American woman in such a powerful position," said Joe Reilly, a first-year student in the School of Natural Resources. "I think it's true that Native Americans are a silent majority, especially on campus."
Balber touched on many topics, including legal issues concerning the Native American community and the lack of American Indian judges on Minnesota high courts.
She said the legal system is not as fair as many believe.
"I witnessed first-hand the bias and prejudice practiced against (Native Americans)," she said.
Balber said one troubling issue facing Native American families is the astonishing number of children who are taken from their homes and placed in foster care each year, despite the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
Often, customs unique to the Native American community can be perceived by non-Indian social workers as neglect or abuse. For example, Balber said, sage burning - common among Native American families - can be mistaken for marijuana, and women who cite domestic violence in the courts are often seen as unfit mothers.
"Our children were being yanked," Balber said.
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Mary Al Balber, an assistant attorney general in Minnesota, makes a point during last night's speech in Hutchins Hall. She is one speaker slated for the Native American Heritage Month.