Association presents Indian plan
From the
April 12, 1935 Gateway
ALUMNI GROUP PRESENTS INDIAN TRADITION PLAN
BASED ON PLAN SUBMITTED BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
TO VOTE SOON
The University Alumni association has accepted the Indian
tradition plan submitted by Virginia Lee Long and Martin Speckter, both, '35,
it was announced Wednesday by Dr. W.H. Thompson, dean of men and president of
the association.
The
committee on Indian traditions, composed of Mrs. C.C. Strimple, Ernie Adams,
and Dr. W.N. Halsey, has prepared a final plan, based on the Speckter and Long
compilation, for presentation to the student body in the near future.
Speaking
for the committee, Dr. Thompson told The Gateway:
"We would
welcome suggestions and criticism of the plan. The students will play a vital
part in its success and they owe it to themselves to discuss it pro and con. If
such a plan is adopted by student vote it will place Omaha University in a
distinguished position.
Following
is the plan to be submitted to the students by the Alumni association:
I Insignia
- University insignia should be
changed from the gateway to the calumet of the Omaha Indian tribe. The
calumet was composed of an ash stick with green head feathers of a duck,
head of a woodpecker, feathers of an owl, and ten eagle feathers arranged
in the shape of a fan.
- The custom should be
inaugurated that all freshmen men and women be required to wear, during
freshman year, a green duck feather; and for faithful observers of the
rules of this custom as prescribed by the student council, on freshman
day, freshmen shall turn in their green duck feathers for a reward with an
eagle feather motif.
- Outstanding achievements by
various members of the student body should be rewarded by presentation of
a certificate and/or a white feather.
- Suitable Indian insignia is
to be chosen for athletic teams by vote of the student body to replace the
present name.
- Student activities societies
may adopt names from the Omaha Indians.
II Homecoming
- Indian performance with
ceremony.
- Parade, to be in form of an
Indian caravan.
III Ma-ie Festival
- This festival should include:
Athletic events, crowning the Princess Atira, with a show and dance as the
committee and conditions shall at that particular time determine.
IV Freshman Day
- Freshman Day shall be
symbolized by the green feather ceremony in which all freshmen who have
carefully observed the custom of the green feather throughout the entire
year shall be presented with eagle feathers; the details of this day shall
be worked out according to the committee appointed for that day.
