Raccoon Earns His Stripes

Family Heritage

SOU professor turns American Indian stories from childhood into musical

By Mandy ValenciaWhile Brent Florendo was growing up on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon, his mother would tell stories of their Wasco heritage to help others understand American Indian culture.

Now the Southern Oregon University Native American Studies instructor is continuing that tradition with a musical he's written based on his mother's stories.

Called "Raccoon Earns His Stripes,"the musical will open Friday, Feb. 24, in SOU's Center Square Theatre and continue through March 11.Comment:  For more on Native theater, see Not One More Foot of Land and AIM Play Stirs Controversy.

Below:  "SOU sophomore Godfrey rehearses a scene in the show."