The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-06-13
JOIN IN INDIAN DANCES

.HE-
That the work OF a field represeD-
tative of the bureau of civilian relief
of the northern division of the Red
Cross is not all serious discussions
and meetings is attestcd by the latest
report Of Miss Louise pye, who has
just returned from a trip to Rosebud
chapter on the Rosebud Indian reser-
walton in South Dakota. To quote
from her report:
"When l was told that we were go
ing to a dance at Two Strike camp. I
had a vision of d cowboy affair with
sombreros and spurs in evidence. and
the music of a fiddle or two. 1t was
not until we were we'll on the way that
l knew I was to see a real Indian
pow-wow.
"Just at dark we drove up to a
large cabin and heard the tom-toms
and the weird f~alsetto singing. As
we stepped up to the door a gaily
painted and CARRIED warrior ended his
dance with a whoop and came for
ward to greet us.
"There were fully a hundred Sioux
present, and all of the older ones were
in full holiday regalia. Paint, feath-
ers, and bright colored garments were
the rule, and most of the men had
bands Of bells around their ankles and
knees, and carried gay tobacco pouch
es heavily beaded and trimmed with
%porcupine quill embroidery. The wo-
men were in darker colors but had
capes and bands of tiny bones and elk
teeth sewed to their dresses. A few
had bright beaded pieces and one wore
around her neck a wide ribbon made
Of flags which hung to the floor.
"They were sitting around at the
end of the room when we entered,
but when the rhythmic beating of the
tom-toms began they stood around
the edge and did a queer little dance,
standing in one place, and moving
mostly from the knees. One woman
carried a service flag on a long staff
which she displayed with great pride
as she danced. 1t was pretty siren
uous knee action for them, while the
braves were doing wonderful steps
in the center of the room. Leading
Horse, Bull Eye, and Omaha Boy are
among the best dancers at this camp,
and they put a great deal of variety,
pep and real grace into their steps.
CAT the conclusion of the dance I
was asked to make a speech, which l
did, through an interpreter, Of course.
The Incidents l was able to tell of
the care Of the Red Cross had given
to the soldiers and war tortured CT
villains, as well as those affected by
disasters in this country were met
with grunts of approval.
81 was barely through when l no.
ticed a group across the room gestic-
ulating and pointing at me with tur-
key wing fans. Mrs. Bob Tail Boat,
who sat next to me, made me under
stand that they wished me to come
over. l went, and a dear little girl
about four years old, called Agnes
Eagle Road, bashfully shook hands
with me and presented some money
for the Red Cross.
"They showed their friendliness by
inviting US pale faces to join in their
circle dances. The squaws, and we,
danced slowly around in a circle while
a few of the men did special "~stunts"
within the circle. They laughed and
called "washte-lela washte" (good)
as we tried to get the proper knee ac-
ton. My knees were rather lame the
next day, but [ got the step so that
the next time I can join in the dance
quite as though l belonged.
at was a wonderful experience. l
think with real pleasure of the big
hearted, friendly people who have been
so loyal to the country that was theirs
so long before it was ours, and in Of
fering their money, both through the
government and the Red Cross. They
have given money-well, really until
it hurts-in some cases until they
were hungry. | vas proud to repre-
sent to them an organization which
has brought together people Of all
races and creeds to work for the in