This is not a teepee.

It’s likely that by now, you’ve noticed that there’s something wooden and dome shaped in the middle of the Yard, in front of Matthews Hall. No, it’s not overflow housing for next year’s class; it’s a wetu. As in, it’s not a teepee, igloo, or a hut. As stated on the signboard in front of Matthews,

A Wetu is atraditional Native American dwelling that is very similar to and sometimes referred to as a wigwam. A Wetu is built by criss-crossing saplings into an upside down U shape. The frame is then covered by sheets of bark on the outside and lined with woven rush mats on the inside. A hole is left at the top of the structure in order to release the smoke .

The wetu has been left partially uncovered so that students and passersby can see its interior structure.  At the Opening Ceremony this past Thursday, students, administrators, and members of the Aquinnah Wampanog tribe spoke about what it took to get the structure put in the yard and what they feel, seeing it completed.

Why is it here right now? Well, this year marks the 360^th anniversary of the signing of Harvard’s charter, which called for “the education of the English and Indian youth of this country, in knowledge and godliness.” It’s presence on campus also overlaps with Harvard’s annual powwow, which will take place this  Saturday at Radcliffe Yard and will be open to the public. The wetu will only be in the yard until May 3^rd, so if you have questions, ask fast. And just think, how many of your friends’ colleges have wetus in their yards?? Not so many.

Even Fido can be racist this season!

Okay. So we all got this email:

Dear Harvard, As we approach the Halloween weekend, Native Americans at Harvard College (NAHC) would like to urge Harvard University students, staff and faculty to think critically about their costume choice. While some look forward to the annual Halloween festivities many people brace themselves for the recurring parade of Harvard students in culturally insensitive costumes whether it be the quintessential Pocahontas or Indian Squaw or the hypersexualized Geisha just to name a few.

And for those of you who didn’t have the patience to read the entire thing, we sympathize… kinda. Except we read it in its entirety out of sincere love for you and because they made us feel really, really guilty. Here is a paragraph-by-paragraph summary of its content:

• Wearing costumes that culturally appropriate is RACIST. It’s like wearing blackface, you ass. Also, your hipster Minnetonka Moccasins are tacky.
• Traditional dress ≠ costume. Traditional dress = an outfit.
• Think of the children….the Native American children.
• You can’t count your crummy costume as “honoring” Native Americans, but you can do your part on Sunday, the first day of Native American Heritage Month, by schoolin’ your racist ass.
• A paragraph on the interwoven histories of Native Americans and their contributions to the United States and Harvard University that we so love.
• “If people take the time to learn about other cultures and to get to know the Native American students at Harvard perhaps they would realize that we are not a costume. We are Harvard. And we have been since 1655.” (Sorry, that’s sort of hard to gist.)

Now, we understand the message but a picture is worth a thousand words isn’t it? Here are several long emails worth of pictures plus some controversy, after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »