PRESENTATION
Cherokee Family Reunion
START
10.1(A)
10.1(D)
10.2(A)
10.2(B)
standards
10.3
10.4(D)
10.4(E)
10.4(F)
10.5(A)
10.5(C)
10.6(B)
10.9(B)(i)
Language Objective
I will use appropriate academic vocabulary to discuss and present my analysis of the theme, incorporating words such as "cultural identity," "family dynamics," and "theme development."
Learning Intention
Today, we will explore the importance of family and community in Cherokee culture by examining the traditions and significance of Cherokee family reunions.
Success Criteria
- Clearly articulates the theme of family and cultural identity in "Cherokee Family Reunion."
- Uses specific examples from the text to support my analysis.
- Demonstrates effective use of academic vocabulary.
DO NOW
- To the right is an image of an actual Cherokee Family Reunion.
- What are your thoughts on this image?
- Write them in the chat!
Introduction
Larissa FastHorse is an American playwright and choreographer. Born and raised in South Dakota, she is a member of the Lakota Nation’s Rosebud Sioux Tribe. This selection from her play Cherokee Family Reunion introduces the Bearmeat and White families, all of whom have gathered to celebrate the wedding of the mother of the White family, Emma, to the father of the Bearmeat family, John. Members of the Bearmeat family, including Uncle Jasper, Aunt Nell, Aunt Polly, and Granny, look on as the children in both families meet each other for the first time. Christopher of the Whites and Lizzie of the Bearmeats experience an uncomfortable attraction to each other, while the other children—Morgan, Hillary, Dylan, Twodi, and Meli—eye each other with suspicion. *Watch StudySync Video
Background and Context
- Larissa FastHorse is a Native American playwright and choreographer who grew up in South Dakota as part of the Sicangu Lakota tribe.
- FastHorse is deeply involved in advocating for the representation of indigenous people in art. She requires that theatres who produce her plays hire at least one other indigenous artist to work on the play, and feature work from at least one other indigenous artist in the building. She co-founded Indigenous Direction, an organization that, according to its website, supports the creation of accurate work “by, for, and with indigenous peoples.”
- When injuries forced FastHorse to end her career as a ballet dancer, she turned to writing. In an interview, FastHorse said that her writing process begins with reading and talking to people until she has an idea. Then she does extensive research. As characters show up in the world she imagines, she dives into writing.
Vocabulary
smitten
culture
chemistry
hooligan
traditional
relating to beliefs, customs, and practices handed down through generations
the way two individuals relate to each other
a reckless troublemaker
a group's beliefs, customs, social interactions and achievements that separate them from another group
deeply feeling attraction or caring about someone else
Summary
On the day of Emma White and John Bearmeat’s wedding, the members of the two families meet for the first time. At first, Aunt Nell is wary, saying the White kids could be hooligans. To prove her wrong, Christopher White asks her to dance, whisking her around the dance floor. Emma is excited that her children will get to grow up in Cherokee, but they remind her that they’ll soon be off to college. When the White kids put on the silly wedding song the Chicken Dance to unite both families, the Bearmeat think they’re being made fun of because of the song name’s similarity to the traditional Cherokee Quail Dance. Shortly after, Granny Bearmeat ends the festivities. Then Christopher White and Lizzie Bearmeat, who were eyeing each other earlier, bump into each other on the porch and feel attraction. They awkwardly discuss how they are now part of the same family.
FROM SCENE 1: THE WEDDING DAY UNCLE JASPER. This is my favorite part, the reception! Take it away!
WEDDING SINGER. This is a little song I wrote for Emma and John’s first dance.
(The wedding band plays while JOHN and EMMA dance.
*Note: Recorded music can be used when UNCLE JASPER announces the first dance.) UNCLE JASPER. Everyone join in. Bearmeat family, and a White to dance with! Come on, mix it up now.
(The kids awkwardly pair up and dance. CHRISTOPHER and LIZZIE spot each other and walk slowly together, it’s a movie moment. Suddenly AUNT NELL and AUNT POLLY pop up between them. AUNT NELL speaks right in front of CHRISTOPHER.) AUNT NELL. We don’t know anything about these kids. They could be thieves. Hooligans. Hare Krishnas.
AUNT POLLY. Oh, Nell. You’re being dramatic.
AUNT NELL. Am I? (Notices CHRISTOPHER.) What do you want?
CHRISTOPHER. I’d love to have this dance, ma’am. (CHRISTOPHER dramatically sweeps AUNT NELL into his arms and leads her into a dance. LIZZIE and AUNT POLLY are smitten. The dance ends. Whites and Bearmeats can’t get away from each other fast enough.) CHRISTOPHER (cont’d) .If you need anything at all, just ask for Christopher. (Joins his family.)
GRANNY. Clearly a hooligan.
AUNT NELL. It’s the smooth ones you have to watch.
EMMA (to her kids) .It’s so nice of my children to celebrate my wedding in a clump like this. I had a beautiful childhood in hills very like these. I want Cherokee to feel like your home.
MORGAN. Hillary and I are only here for the summer, Mom. DYLAN. Christopher and I only got two years of high school, then we’re going back to civilization. They roasted a whole pig. It’s got a face.
JOHN. Twodi, Meli you are the grown-ups, act like it. This is your turf so it’s up to yuns to make the first move. MELI. Dad, this isn’t the first Thanksgiving.
TWODI. Well, their last name is White and they are ... white.
JOHN. Not funny, Twodi. You want your old dad happy, right? Emma and I want you kids to have this summer together to become a family. By fall half of you will be gone to college.
MELI. I’m not going anywhere.
JOHN. I know, Meli.
EMMA. Can you try to mingle a little? Make like it’s a party?
HILLARY. Sure, Mom.
(EMMA goes to mingle. HILLARY gets an idea.)
HILLARY. Hey guys, this is a wedding right? What dance does EVERY wedding need? DYLAN. Yes! Perfect! HILLARY. Get my iPod.
(DYLAN goes.)
JOHN. How about a Friendship Dance? To share the culture you are proud of with your new step siblings. Go share. Now.
MELI. Come on guys. Let’s share. Twodi, you sing. We’ll dance.
(The kids gather onstage. DYLAN returns and gives JUSTIN the iPod. The White kids circle up. Bearmeats are unsure.)
HILLARY (to MELI). It’s silly, but it’s not a wedding without the “Chicken Dance,” right?
MELI. Do you mean the Quail Dance?
HILLARY. What?
MELI. The traditional Cherokee Quail Dance?
HILLARY. Whatever. Come on, join the circle. Hit it! (JUSTIN hits the music, the “Chicken Dance.” The White kids enthusiastically do the “Chicken Dance” in all its glorious, accordion stupidity.
The Bearmeats have clearly never seen anything like it. They are horrified or laughing heartily.)
LIZZIE. What kind of dance is that?
MELI. Are they making fun of us?
MORGAN. It’s the “Chicken Dance,” it’s stupid but you have to do it.
TWODI. No, we don’t.
MORGAN. Oh, you’re too cool for the “Chicken Dance”?
TWODI. Yes.
UNCLE JASPER jumps in. JUSTIN cuts the music.) UNCLE JASPER. Okie dokie. I think that’s enough dancing.
GRANNY. Thank you for coming to celebrate my son and my new daughter-in-law, but I am sure they would like some time alone. Let’s get this place cleaned up.
(Everyone cleans. TWODI and MORGAN toss a couple glares at each other. CHRISTOPHER and LIZZIE bump into each other on the porch. It’s instant chemistry. )
CHRISTOPHER. Sorry.
LIZZIE. I’m a klutz. You’re totally cute. (Horrified.) I mean it was cute what you did with Aunt Nell. You’re not cute. I mean you are but—Hi.
CHRISTOPHER. You’re cute too, roomie.
LIZZIE. Roomie?
CHRISTOPHER. We’re living together now, Brady Bunch style. LIZZIE. Yeah, right. Welcome to the family.
(LIZZIE flees. CHRISTOPHER smiles.)
Drag and Drop
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Cherokee Family Reunion
Ashley Campion
Created on December 18, 2023
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Transcript
PRESENTATION
Cherokee Family Reunion
START
10.1(A)
10.1(D)
10.2(A)
10.2(B)
standards
10.3
10.4(D)
10.4(E)
10.4(F)
10.5(A)
10.5(C)
10.6(B)
10.9(B)(i)
Language Objective
I will use appropriate academic vocabulary to discuss and present my analysis of the theme, incorporating words such as "cultural identity," "family dynamics," and "theme development."
Learning Intention
Today, we will explore the importance of family and community in Cherokee culture by examining the traditions and significance of Cherokee family reunions.
Success Criteria
DO NOW
Introduction
Larissa FastHorse is an American playwright and choreographer. Born and raised in South Dakota, she is a member of the Lakota Nation’s Rosebud Sioux Tribe. This selection from her play Cherokee Family Reunion introduces the Bearmeat and White families, all of whom have gathered to celebrate the wedding of the mother of the White family, Emma, to the father of the Bearmeat family, John. Members of the Bearmeat family, including Uncle Jasper, Aunt Nell, Aunt Polly, and Granny, look on as the children in both families meet each other for the first time. Christopher of the Whites and Lizzie of the Bearmeats experience an uncomfortable attraction to each other, while the other children—Morgan, Hillary, Dylan, Twodi, and Meli—eye each other with suspicion. *Watch StudySync Video
Background and Context
Vocabulary
smitten
culture
chemistry
hooligan
traditional
relating to beliefs, customs, and practices handed down through generations
the way two individuals relate to each other
a reckless troublemaker
a group's beliefs, customs, social interactions and achievements that separate them from another group
deeply feeling attraction or caring about someone else
Summary
On the day of Emma White and John Bearmeat’s wedding, the members of the two families meet for the first time. At first, Aunt Nell is wary, saying the White kids could be hooligans. To prove her wrong, Christopher White asks her to dance, whisking her around the dance floor. Emma is excited that her children will get to grow up in Cherokee, but they remind her that they’ll soon be off to college. When the White kids put on the silly wedding song the Chicken Dance to unite both families, the Bearmeat think they’re being made fun of because of the song name’s similarity to the traditional Cherokee Quail Dance. Shortly after, Granny Bearmeat ends the festivities. Then Christopher White and Lizzie Bearmeat, who were eyeing each other earlier, bump into each other on the porch and feel attraction. They awkwardly discuss how they are now part of the same family.
FROM SCENE 1: THE WEDDING DAY UNCLE JASPER. This is my favorite part, the reception! Take it away! WEDDING SINGER. This is a little song I wrote for Emma and John’s first dance. (The wedding band plays while JOHN and EMMA dance. *Note: Recorded music can be used when UNCLE JASPER announces the first dance.) UNCLE JASPER. Everyone join in. Bearmeat family, and a White to dance with! Come on, mix it up now. (The kids awkwardly pair up and dance. CHRISTOPHER and LIZZIE spot each other and walk slowly together, it’s a movie moment. Suddenly AUNT NELL and AUNT POLLY pop up between them. AUNT NELL speaks right in front of CHRISTOPHER.) AUNT NELL. We don’t know anything about these kids. They could be thieves. Hooligans. Hare Krishnas. AUNT POLLY. Oh, Nell. You’re being dramatic. AUNT NELL. Am I? (Notices CHRISTOPHER.) What do you want?
CHRISTOPHER. I’d love to have this dance, ma’am. (CHRISTOPHER dramatically sweeps AUNT NELL into his arms and leads her into a dance. LIZZIE and AUNT POLLY are smitten. The dance ends. Whites and Bearmeats can’t get away from each other fast enough.) CHRISTOPHER (cont’d) .If you need anything at all, just ask for Christopher. (Joins his family.) GRANNY. Clearly a hooligan. AUNT NELL. It’s the smooth ones you have to watch. EMMA (to her kids) .It’s so nice of my children to celebrate my wedding in a clump like this. I had a beautiful childhood in hills very like these. I want Cherokee to feel like your home. MORGAN. Hillary and I are only here for the summer, Mom. DYLAN. Christopher and I only got two years of high school, then we’re going back to civilization. They roasted a whole pig. It’s got a face.
JOHN. Twodi, Meli you are the grown-ups, act like it. This is your turf so it’s up to yuns to make the first move. MELI. Dad, this isn’t the first Thanksgiving. TWODI. Well, their last name is White and they are ... white. JOHN. Not funny, Twodi. You want your old dad happy, right? Emma and I want you kids to have this summer together to become a family. By fall half of you will be gone to college. MELI. I’m not going anywhere. JOHN. I know, Meli. EMMA. Can you try to mingle a little? Make like it’s a party? HILLARY. Sure, Mom. (EMMA goes to mingle. HILLARY gets an idea.)
HILLARY. Hey guys, this is a wedding right? What dance does EVERY wedding need? DYLAN. Yes! Perfect! HILLARY. Get my iPod. (DYLAN goes.) JOHN. How about a Friendship Dance? To share the culture you are proud of with your new step siblings. Go share. Now. MELI. Come on guys. Let’s share. Twodi, you sing. We’ll dance. (The kids gather onstage. DYLAN returns and gives JUSTIN the iPod. The White kids circle up. Bearmeats are unsure.) HILLARY (to MELI). It’s silly, but it’s not a wedding without the “Chicken Dance,” right? MELI. Do you mean the Quail Dance? HILLARY. What? MELI. The traditional Cherokee Quail Dance?
HILLARY. Whatever. Come on, join the circle. Hit it! (JUSTIN hits the music, the “Chicken Dance.” The White kids enthusiastically do the “Chicken Dance” in all its glorious, accordion stupidity. The Bearmeats have clearly never seen anything like it. They are horrified or laughing heartily.) LIZZIE. What kind of dance is that? MELI. Are they making fun of us? MORGAN. It’s the “Chicken Dance,” it’s stupid but you have to do it. TWODI. No, we don’t. MORGAN. Oh, you’re too cool for the “Chicken Dance”? TWODI. Yes.
UNCLE JASPER jumps in. JUSTIN cuts the music.) UNCLE JASPER. Okie dokie. I think that’s enough dancing. GRANNY. Thank you for coming to celebrate my son and my new daughter-in-law, but I am sure they would like some time alone. Let’s get this place cleaned up. (Everyone cleans. TWODI and MORGAN toss a couple glares at each other. CHRISTOPHER and LIZZIE bump into each other on the porch. It’s instant chemistry. ) CHRISTOPHER. Sorry. LIZZIE. I’m a klutz. You’re totally cute. (Horrified.) I mean it was cute what you did with Aunt Nell. You’re not cute. I mean you are but—Hi. CHRISTOPHER. You’re cute too, roomie. LIZZIE. Roomie?
CHRISTOPHER. We’re living together now, Brady Bunch style. LIZZIE. Yeah, right. Welcome to the family. (LIZZIE flees. CHRISTOPHER smiles.)
Drag and Drop
THANKS!
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