S Only Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata World Premiere Friday, November 4, 2016— 7pm Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, Composer Comissioned by Hildegard Center for the Arts The Lied Center’s Johnny Carson Theater Special thanks to the Great Plains Art Museum for hosting the premiere’s pre-reception as part of the museum’s bi-annual Contemporary Indigeniety Art Exhibition— “Spiritual Borderlands.” This evening’s performance is being live-streamed and recorded via NET (Nebraska Educational Telecommunications) Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata In Eight Tableaux for Solo Baritone, Piano and String Sextet Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, Composer Grant Youngblood, Solo Baritone Rangbrook Ensemble Dr. Ken Hoppmann, Pianist/ Artistic Director With Sponsoring Partner, Southeast Community College Division of Humanities Thank you to our Project Sponsors Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata is supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment and the following project sponsors; Southeast Community College Division of Humanities, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation, the Great Plains Art Museum and the Center for Civic Engagement—University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this program through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.nebraskaartscouncil.org for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization, or how you can support the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Introduction – by Anne Woita At a time in our world that is punctuated by racial tension commissioned Oklahoma Chickasaw classical composer and discord, religious intolerance and political division, we Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate to create Standing Bear: A need to find ways to embrace our commonality and set Ponca Indian Cantata. With sponsoring partner Southeast aside our differences. Incredibly, it is the plea of a gentle and Community College Division of Humanities and the support courageous leader from the mid-1800’s that is more relevant of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, and with utmost respect, today than ever as it reminds us that we are all one people— Hildegard Center is honored to immortalize and bring the one race—the human race. In 1879, Eighty-four years before story of Chief Standing Bear to a new generation with this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech, fresh and exciting vehicle. Standing Bear will take the Ponca Chief Standing Bear stood before U.S. District Court audience on a journey of this great man whose love for his Judge Elmer S. Dundy to petition for recognition of those people and courage to stand up for their rights not only rights of freedom guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. As the impacted American Indians but an entire nation. Standing trial of the case United States ex rel. Standing Bear v Crook Bear’s legacy, that transcends all cultures and generations, was drawing to a close, Judge Dundy allowed the Ponca will be artistically immortalized in this historic work. Under Chief to make a speech on his own behalf. Raising his right the “Bridges” theme, the Cantata will build a metaphorical hand, Standing Bear spoke: and literal bridge between Native American Tribes, between Nebraska and Oklahoma and between cultures That hand is not the color of yours, and generations. but if I prick it, the blood will flow and I shall feel pain. As Nebraska looks ahead to celebrate its 150th Birthday, all The blood is of the same color as yours. are invited to apply the lessons learned from Chief Standing God made me, and I am a man.” Bear’s timeless story to our 21st Century circumstances as we celebrate his life and the determination and resilience of Inspired by the life and legacy of Ponca Chief Standing Bear the Ponca people. Their courage and spirit of freedom is an as it dovetailed with its three-year programming theme of inspiration to us all! “Bridges”, Hildegard Center for the Arts Resolution 16-53 from the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s Tribal Council WHEREAS: The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally WHEREAS: The Hildegard Center has requested support from recognized Indian Tribe (P.L. 101-484) whose business affairs the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska for their project “Standing Bear: are conducted by the Ponca Tribal Council as defined in the A Ponca Indian Cantata” to be presented on November 4, Constitution approved July 22, 1994 by the Acting Deputy 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Commissioner of Indian Affairs; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT in celebration of the WHEREAS: Pursuant to the Constitution of the Ponca Tribe life and legacy of our ancestor, Chief Standing Bear, the Ponca of Nebraska the Ponca Tribal Council shall exercise legislative Tribe of Nebraska Tribal Council hereby issues this Resolution powers to enact and promulgate resolutions and ordinances of Support for Hildegard Center for the Arts’ endeavor, subject to all express restrictions upon such powers contained “Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata.” in the constitution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT we come together with WHEREAS: The Hildegard Center for the Arts is a 501(c)3 Hildegard Center in friendship to join in the mission to help non-profit arts organization whose mission is to unite people a new generation remember and learn from the past as we of all beliefs, cultures and traditions to inspire humanity move forward together, hand in hand into the future. through the arts; and Program Welcome Kim Einspahr ..................................................... President/Co-founder, Hildegard Center for the Arts Guest Presenters Larry Wright Jr ................................................... Chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Judi gaiashkibos ................................................ Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs Anne Woita ........................................................ Vice President/Co-founder, Hildegard Center for the Arts Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate ......................... Composer Joe Starita ......................................................... Professor, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, UNL Premiere Performance Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata In Eight Tableaux Grant Youngblood ............................................. Solo Baritone Rangbrook Ensemble ........................................ String Sextet William Wolcott, violin Mason Hangen, violin Jesse Griggs, viola Sarah Curley, viola Sophia Potter, cello Jessica Dussault, cello Dr. Ken Hoppmann ............................................ Pianist/ Artistic Director Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate ......................... Composer/Conductor Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata In Eight Tableaux for Solo Baritone, Piano and String Sextet Tableau I: Prelude I accept this challenge. I was loved, I was free. Nighoŋ, wathoŋ thanoŋkoŋ? Enah thithita ati’ giga axa. Inaha pe uzhoŋpi zaza. My son, do you hear them singing? Your mother calls you home. My mother cradled me. Nexekuge utha’ga’e we’boŋ apithe. Nika shiŋga ati’ giga hta niŋke. Inaha pe waaoŋ pi. Echoes of drums calling us. Your people call you home. My mother sang to me. Nighoŋ thidonbe! ti aŋka’the ankai. Pahe the e’kikoŋegoŋ i moŋxe apa. Weaki shnoŋ. Kithi’ye zhhuba shnoŋ. Look son! We are going home. The hills ask to be one with you. I gave thanks. I gave respect. Nuda’ the bthlize min’ke. Moŋchu Nauŋzhiŋ egoŋ ahi’. Tableau II: Migration I accept this competition. I became Moŋchu Nauŋzhiŋ. Standing Bear. Wathoŋ thanoŋkoŋ? Wizhiŋ ebe’ a zhiŋ uŋxti’ the ma zhiŋ Do you hear them sing? hta miŋke. Tableau V: The Hunt Tade’ giga niŋge axa. No one can stop me from honoring my son. Donba gaspe abliŋ minge. Athu blage Wind beckons. Ebe’ a zhiŋ amoŋthiŋ zhiŋ. abliŋ minge. Egoŋxti wita atha nauŋzhiŋ athiŋbe. No one can stop me. I am focused. I am calm. I will keep my promise to you. Te’ethe’ Shoŋ gaxe atoŋhe. Uthi’ age bthliŋ egoŋ uthi doŋbe Tableau III: Echo I am ready for the kill. bthli shtoŋ. Nighoŋ, wathoŋ thanoŋkoŋ? Ake’ toŋpe angkai, azhu kigthe pe angkai. I am headstrong and determined. My son, do you hear them singing? We are centered, unified. Nuxe the tho’adi shoŋ gaxe wi ma zhi Nexekuge utha’ga’e we’boŋ apithe. We athe iŋda angkai. No ice can stop me. Echos of drums calling us. We have found them. Noŋpehi’t’e the tho’adi shoŋ gaxe wi Nighoŋ thidonbe! ti aŋka’the ankai. Wi’bthaho te nuga, Wi’bthaho! ma zhi. Look son! We are going home. Thank you buffalo bull, thank you. Starvation can’t stop me. Wanoŋxe wita xa ti wita axa tande Tade sage toŋga the tho’adi shoŋ gaxe wi Tableau IV: Childhood athiŋ axa. ma zhi. Nu zhiŋnga pi. The wind carried my soul to home. Tornados can’t stop me. Once I was a boy. Nita wita i e’ noŋ xithe i kiku’ be. Nuda’ the bthlize min’ke. Xja’kithe pi, wa zhiŋi’ta athin pi. This chase will give us our lives. Wamiŋ waho athiŋ axa. Moŋthiŋ ga! Moŋthiŋ ga! Uthu’doŋbe bthiŋ shtoŋ. Blood is coursing. Go Now! Leave now! I am determined. Ti uzhiŋ iwathi shi pe, Waŋoxe iwathiŋ Moŋshoŋ aŋkotha sigthe she’ monŋthiŋ. Wanoŋxe wi bthiŋ shtoŋ. shi pe. Walking to our new land, our exile. I am a ghost. Feed our families, feed our souls. Wokŋda izhiŋge waga’xthoŋ ana’oŋ Nuda’hoŋga wi bthiŋ shtoŋ. Niniba athiŋ athe’ the, shoŋge theita athinŋkshe. I am a leader. athe’the. We heard the angels. Hoŋbthe abliŋ miŋkshe. Send the pipe keeper, send His horse. Wagiga pi. I have a vision. We athe iŋda angkai. They are summoning us. Egthoŋge wi bthiŋ shtoŋ. We have found them. Moŋze gamoŋthe atiŋ. I am a husband. Donba gaspe abliŋ minge. Athu blage They strike the bell. Izhiŋge wi bthiŋ shtoŋ. abliŋ minge. Wagigapi. I am a son. I am focused. I am calm. They beacon us. Iŋda’thi wi bthiŋ shtoŋ. Te’ethe’ Shoŋ gaxe atoŋhe. Wanoŋxe shoŋka ithawa axa. I am a father.