In response to concerns about African American cultural appropriation and after extensive discussions were held in recent months regarding that title and several others, Springfield College in Massachusetts does name an outdoor structure called the Pueblo of the Seven Fires.
While school leaders said they will also visit the 92- year- ancient building the” Pueblo”, it will no apply its traditional” Pueblo of the Seven Fires” moniker.
According to the university’s historical files, the main building on Springfield College’s East Campus, which is located on about 80 acres of forested land, is called” The Pueblo of the Seven Fires” and supports the college’s recreation and trekking programs as well as providing experiential learning opportunities for the community. It was dedicated in 1932 and is” the only authentic southwestern pueblo structure east of the Mississippi,” according to the school’s historical files.
However, the name” Seven Fires” will no longer remain used while Pueblo may be kept, according to President Mary- Beth Cooper’s message to students and faculty on Wednesday, the Springfield Student reported.
In this instance, Pueblo is named for its Southwestern-inspired architecture. You will see that when we do keep a name, we provide some context on the meaning of it, and that will be added to the building and materials about the East Campus, she wrote,” I agree with the [ Renaming ] Committee.”
According to the Renaming Committee’s overview,” Council Ring and Sti-Yu-Ka will no longer be used and we will be formally adopting new titles in the coming days,” Cooper said.
According to the school’s webpage, the 4, 4000- flat- base Pueblo features seven fireplace places, and the” seven fires refer to the seven fires of youngsters: self- expression, universality, ruggedness, regret/humility, truth, comradeship and beauty”.
” … In 1950, the Pueblo was officially designated the E. M. Robinson Pueblo of the Seven Fires, in honor of Edgar Monroe Robinson. The Pueblo is still used as it was intended, opening groups, camp parties, and serving as a unique performance hall for students now.
An Acoma Pueblo activist from Kansas who reported to New England Public Radio said the recent decision disturbed him because he thought it was “weird how they’re using that name and applying it to a developing when we’re a individuals, there’s some Pueblo nations out it.” It’s not just architecture. And to use this term in their own way is cultural appropriation”.
While some Springfield College names were tossed, others were saved: any name with Massasoit.
Cooper, in her email to the campus community, stated:” Camp Massasoit is held in enormous affection by alumni, by camp staff and in the memories of past campers. Massasoit Hall is renowned for the many of our alumni because it is where they first encountered life in Springfield and where many of them first met the people who later became their lifelong friends. Students from Springfield have spent the next three years living in that structure. They are n’t going to call it something else, and personally, I do n’t think they need to”.
” We are aware that the name Massasoit, which refers to a Wampanoag tribal chief, is freely used throughout this state. Massasoit is used daily without any reservations or controversy in the area where the Wampanoag lived and still do so. Both Massasoit Hall and Camp Massasoit hold cherished memories. I’ve never seen any proof Massasoit is insulting or degrading. In fact, it helps us remember that we are Native Americans, as one of our community members asserted in a public forum.
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IMAGE: Springfield College
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