The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-12-18

Kenel Indtan; School, ( Standing
Rock Reservation One 3ofi the rar-
est opportunities for experience and
service came the other day when
the Hunkpap'Sioux in this vicinity
celebrated the old time Victory-dance
in honor of our recent national sue
cess over the Central Powers. The
people were gathering for several
days at the home of one Of the most
hospitable Sioux families with this
festivity in prospect. On the eve of
Dec. II, as a fitting preliminary, a
Red Cross meeting was held among
the Indians. no white person in any
wise directing. Many gave generous
ly for the Red, Cross both in money
and in livestock. This latter must of
necessity be disposed Of through the
United States Indian agent.
The next day was a freefor-all in
merry-making. The kaiser was hung
in effigy, discovered by scouts dds
ability discharged recruits), duly shot
and enthusiastically cremated. The
thing of greatest significance and i'm
portance was the Victory dance. The
last execution of 1t was in the far.
off days when these people celebrat-
ed the victory of Sitting Bull and Gall
over Custer on that tragic field in
Montana. Today they celebrate it in
unison with the white citizens and
we'll do they have q right to. They
have as willingly and as generously
contributed to the Allied cause as
have we OF the white race. - o..
Late in the afternoon of Dec. IL
found that l would be q welcome Wis
itor so arranged to go to represent
lied Cross interests and to witness
this aboriginal dance which will prob.
ably never be given again. Our mail.
carrier is. an educated, progressive
full-blood. He gave me instant co.
operation, took me there, arranged
with the master. OF ceremonies for me
to address the people and later to
have reproduced the salient features
OF the occasion. 81 49,
As we approached the scene we
were greeted by T. CHEEKY glow. This
was from a large fire Of full.length
cordwood. Near by stood the pole
from which the kaiser had been cut
down and upon which had been hoist
ed a United States flag Behind this
stood the dance hall. This was q
building tightly boarded on the sides,
with an arbor roof of branches whose
leaves were brown and sere. There
was no floor but no one seemed to
mind 1t. Here and there were kettles
OF wellcooked meat which was serv-
ed at intervals. stood In the rear
end Of the building. Behind me were
ranged some OF the men and digni-
taries. Before me in the center was
the big tom-tom % huge drum made
OF the skin of a young animal stretch
ed tight over an ash sapling formed
into q circle.) Around 1t sat some
eight or more men, young and old
the players. ALI was perfect order
and attention.
The Interpreter. half Sioux and half
Irish, towering head and shoulders
above me was rarely gifted. No mat
ter how lengthy might be my periods
he could unhesitatfngiy pick them up
and deliver them .and the pathos or
fire which put into my utterances !
could feel again 10 his repetition. AZ
first the response from the men '5e-
hind me was tbs Characteristic How!
How" but when told them that the
struggle Just closed wa& my night ana
their fight, that this vas my victory
and their victory. and that IN verify
they had put down the terrible wick
sdnsss and basbarism In ESrope. this
unAemonstratfys psOpls burst forth N
hand ciappiag. while on my sAf0nlsh'
II ears broke The SNffie ~ ehA drum
|-4hs misunderstanding ApA fhro,.
biag and reyeSbekntiag the victory q
tho race,
Imm4listely spoa ths s1css Of my
ssDess1 ~ tS14S0 AsOne teSses