Powwow Spreads Awareness Of Native American Plight

By Larissa Lytwyn

Last November, Reed Intermediate and St Rose were among the East Coast schools that hosted Deer Chaser, a Lakota dance troupe from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in western South Dakota.

Deer Chaser is comprised of children and young adults ages 4 to 19. Most of its members live on Pine Ridge, which is among the poorest Native American communities in the country today.

On February 6, Trinity Episcopal Church hosted the Red Tail Dancers and Company, founded by longtime Newtown resident Chip Hendrickson.

Mr Hendrickson’s wife, Fran Hendrickson, and son, Robert Hendrickson, currently head the group, which seeks to educate the community on Native American life past and present.

Though not Native American himself, Mr Hendrickson’s longtime passion for Native American customs and traditions has been a clear influence on the entire family, including his daughter, Sue Vogelman.

Ms Vogelman is currently Trinity’s minister of children’s education. This past summer, Ms Vogelman organized Trinity’s youth group’s trip near Pine Ridge.

“The [teens] were able to see firsthand the conditions that exist there,” said Ms Vogelman.

Over the past few months, Ms Vogelman has been working with Trinity’s youngest parishioners in order for them to better understand the vitality of Native American culture, as well as the many tribulations the people have faced over the past 200 hundred-plus years.

Many of Trinity’s youth have learned how to make Native American-style jewelry and even know some of the language and symbols of its tribes, including the Lakota.

The appearance by the Red Tail Dancers and Company marked Trinity’s annual Intergenerational Sunday. The powwow, which directly followed 9:45 am services, allowed adults and children to come together in unity and celebration.

The Red Tail Company includes numerous participants, many of who became interested in the group through such charitable and youth-oriented groups as the Boy Scouts of America. Members hail from all over Connecticut.

The dancers attending the Trinity appearance included Dan Velazquez, Bill Shackford, and Val LaRose of New Haven and Chris Marston of Branford. Mr Marston is currently a member of the US Coast Guard and stationed in New London.

During the performance, several of the Red Tail members wore sunglasses to increase awareness of the rampant diabetes problem among many Native American communities. Diabetes, if not effectively monitored, can lead to blindness.

Mr Hendrickson also told the audience about the alarmingly high rates of alcoholism and other substance abuse issues many Native Americans face.

During the “fancy dance” portion of the powwow, in which the Red Tail dancers performed dances representing various aspects of Native American spirituality, nearly the entire audience got involved.

First, the youth were invited to partake in a line dance that wound in and around the church’s recreation room. Shortly thereafter, the adults joined in for a “couples’ dance,” in which pairs performed a special line dance while holding hands.

The event concluded with a spiritually rejuvenating drum chant. Children and their families gathered around the drum to thank God for their success in coming together in peace and unity.

“Over the next few weeks, we’ll be holding a fund drive for the people of Pine Ridge,” said Ms Vogelman. “This event helped us further increase awareness.”

Ms Hendrickson, who has been involved in powwows and other Native American ceremonies since meeting Chip Hendrickson in the 1970s, said she felt fortunate to have been able to come to Trinity.

“It’s about coming together, as one, across all backgrounds,” she said, “knowing the problems that are out there [in Native American communities] and working together to solve them.”