Comments on: Playing Indian: The Voices of San Juan Pageant

By: Janet Wilcox

Janet Wilcox — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:38:53 +0000

I’m glad you clarified the dates when you wrote this, as I assumed it was the most recent pageant, since you had mentioned further down the comments that there was a problem with the dates. I remember meeting you a couple of times, maybe via KC Benedict, or maybe at the college. I’m glad you’re getting involved with some of the Blanding events. I think it’s good to have outsiders’ views to keep things fresh and objective. I was an outsider once myself, about 41 years ago!!

By: Patricia Karamesines

Patricia Karamesines — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:06:44 +0000

Hi Janet! I appreciate your reading this post and commenting. I’m especially grateful that you linked your name to the official Voices of San Juan Pageant blog. I wrote this post four years ago after seeing the pageant for the first time and after searching the web for more information about it then and finding none. I hoped that writing the post might draw commenters who carry keys to the locks I sported during my first experience of this pageant. So thank you very much for providing me and readers of this blog access to a source of information focused on this unique pageant. I appreciate it very deeply!

Since 2008, when I wrote this post, my daughter has participated a second time in the Voices of San Juan Pageant, repeating her Long Walk role and performing as one of the familial angels up on the canyon wall. (She wore her white Shorinji Kempo gi as angel togs.) She would have participated again this year but family concerns prevented it. I know both Debbie Christiansen and Shauna Black. In the last four years, I’ve participated in a few local programs, including writing the script that was used two years in a row at the Blanding Storytelling Festival. Also, in 2007, in partnership with Fila Harris, I organized and ran one of the workshops with Barre Toelken that you mention occurring in Blanding and know something of his history in the area. (If you’re interested, you can read about that here at A Motley Vision.) So I’ve picked up just a little bit more understanding of the local color and stories than I had back in 2008. Not being native to the area, I know that I’m still missing a lot, but I’m learning at my own slow and labored pace.

How many people find and comment on these old posts continues to surprise me, but that’s what they’re there for–for people to provide updated information or look for contacts to answer their questions and otherwise help them find that they need. A Motley Vision is now long-lived enough and still retains enough of its original bloggers that it can provide continued support of these older posts. I’m really happy you found my little essay and linked it to the pageant blog. Thank you thank you thank you for doing that!

By: Janet Wilcox

Janet Wilcox — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:28:46 +0000

P.S. I meant to mention also regarding, Barre Toelken, that he is very good friends with the Yellowman family here in Blanding, having married one of their daughters, in his early years. He has come here several times to do workshops.

By: Janet Wilcox

Janet Wilcox — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 20:51:41 +0000

It was so interesting to read your comments related the the Voices of San Juan Pageant. On the blog site listed above earlier posts tell a bit of how the pageant came into being. I was just called on board this past season to help with publicity.
As with most cultural regions in our country, there are significant stories to be told, and San Juan, as the “last outpost of civilization” has many to tell. Voices of San Juan is a grass roots effort to do that.
There are many pageants throughout the world sponsored by local LDS groups. When each new temple is dedicated, there is almost always a pageant of celebration of the people and culture of that area. Others, like this one, have their roots in the heart and soul of a few passionate people who have made it happen for over 10 years.
In order to be listed on the LDS Church’s approved pageant list, there are many hoops to jump through, not the least of which is large audience attendance. Living in one of the most sparsely populated areas of the USA, gives a real challenge to our local pageant. Yet in spite of a small budget, monsoon storms, and isolation, it continues. Brotherhood, understanding, and harmony between races and neighbors are certainly the underlying themes of Voices of San Juan. The more we see connections between stories, events, and solutions to problems, the less isolated our lives are, which I believe is one of the goals of the pageant directors.

I know any of them would love to get more ideas from you, as the script is “a work in progress.” Their names and phone # are listed on the pageant blog.
As far as your daughter playing a Navajo, I see it as one of those “walk in my shoes” experiences, that we all need more of. In school programs that is often a planned “switching of parts” to give students a look at the world through another person’s eyes. How great that she had that opportunity.

By: Patricia Karamesines

Patricia Karamesines — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:01:02 +0000

Jack, I will. In the meantime, you might find interesting Part III of “This Question of Audience”. It addresses the matter of trusting audiences and understanding if not meeting their needs.

It’s an older piece and makes for awkward reading in places. But you’ll get the point.

http://www.motleyvision.org/2006/this-question-of-audience-part-three/

By: Patricia Karamesines

Patricia Karamesines — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:44:02 +0000

Neal, I just finished reading your mother’s pageant script. Anyone interested in Parley P. Pratt would find it intriguing and inspiring, and I imagine a lot of people would be interested as he seems to have had copious offspring. I remember a RS teacher asking a Payson UT RS class if anybody could claim Parley P. as a forebear and several people raised their hands.

I asked this question over on your blog, but I’ll repeat it here: In your experience with pageants, have you seen any that depended on such complex dialogue and narrative development?

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:17:06 +0000

Ah, I think I just read the dating incorrectly–that’s all.

By: William Morris

William Morris — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:54:44 +0000

Actually, Jack it wasn’t started over a year ago. It was posted just last month. AMV seems to be having some template issues that I’m looking into. :-)

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:14:35 +0000

Oh! I see that this thread was started over a year ago–so maybe I’ve already missed some related posts.

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:09:02 +0000

That’s a great comment(#20), Patricia. One of the most frustrating things (for me) about most LDS art is that it doesn’t entrust the audience (readers) with their own responses. I hope you share more of your thoughts on this–soon!