Walking in Many Worlds (Part 2), Corrin LaMere, Pretty Mountain Sheep

Editor’s Note:  This article, Part 2 about a very successful Native teen, Corrin LaMere, Sheridan, WY was nearly the victim the covid-19 virus frenzy.  Part 1 was printed just before the NSNT closed for several weeks; and then many of us, including Corrin were nearly impossible to contact during the quarantine, etc.  But, as things get back to normal here is the west, we pick up “the rest of the story….”

SHERIDAN, WY –    May 2020 should have been the time for Corrin LaMere (a beautiful Native woman of Crow, Chippewa and Pueblo heritage) to shine in Sheridan, WY at the Shriffler Public High School graduation.  As the only Native American in her class, she earned the honor of Valedictorian and was also to be recognized as a member of the State Honor Band and Chorus, an extremely completive process.  She is still disappointed about not being able to play a personally composed classical composition at the State Music Festival.  “Music is my passion,” she smiles, self-taught to play an amazing variety of instruments (trumpet, French horn, melliphone, saxophone, obo, percussion, piano, guitar and ukulele) currently mastering the baritone (a small tuba), but her favorite is the guitar, especially classical music. All of this with only the benefit of 6 months of formal musical instruction.  “Because of my Grandpa, the late John Whiteman, I know lots of old country western, too,” she giggles.

Weeks in the making, her Valedictorian speech will now only go into the family scrapbook.  It makes several important points:  Native Americans are still here; we are resilient, strong and capable and don’t look for us to go away or tolerate narrow stereotypes.  Important to her are younger sisters: Cayla, Kira and Adrianna.  “I want them to continue being confident, follow a sober lifestyle as taught by our parents and learn our traditions.  They all dance, Crow style and jingle dress,” she proudly noted.

Although Corrin has been accepted to Kansas State University, three other colleges and submitted applications to several other institutions of higher learning, she is now considering a unique profession: becoming a mortician. This came as a result of two internships with Sheridan-area mortuaries and Corrin is drawn to that. “I like to help people and when they are grieving, everyone needs help,” she says.  “Especially our Native people, because we have such a high mortality rate, often the very young.”

“I think about my family and ancestors.  I’m graduating for them.  In memory, I think they would be proud.  That means a lot to me.  White people didn’t think that Indians were of any worth.  But, we are still here, strong and resilient.  We are thriving in this colonized world.”  Corrin LaMere can be reached at corrinelizlamere@icloud.com

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com)

Visit Original Source