Hoop, there it is
Students at Polson Middle School master - or try to master - the intricacies of the hoop dance. Dallas Chief Eagle, a member of the Rosebud Lakota tribe, visited numerous schools during Red Ribbon Week to pass on his skill and his message of equality, and harmony. Photo by Jessica Waters
Erin Scott, Leader Staff
Students at Linderman Elementary School, gathered for a kick-off assembley of Red Ribbon Week on Monday morning
The school partnered with the Coalition For Kids, tribal health council, Kelogg Foundation and Janett Suka, to bring Dallas Chief Eagle to Linderman and surrounding schools. Dallas Chief Eagle is a member of the Rosebud Lakota (Suix) Nation and master of the Hoop Dance, and said his performances help show the balance between the earth and sky, through the connecting of hoops.
At the beginning of the assembly Dallas Chief Eagle described the circle of life as the line of the horizon that is seen 360 degrees around everyone.
"Wherever you go, the circle of life will follow you," he said. "Many tribes see that circle of life."
He told the children about the equal importance of men and women, referencing father sky and mother earth. He said the tree could not live without the sky, and said the same is true of the relationship between men and women and all of creation.
"They have power when they come together," he said. "Half the wisdom comes from the men and half the wisdom comes from the women."
The tribal hoop dance assembly was about gender equality and the connectivity of all things in the universe. Dallas Chief Eagle demonstrated these concepts through his intricate dance with the intertwined and spinning hoops.
As he jumped into and danced with the hoops - made by his deceased son - they seemed to become a part of him. An otherwise repetitive dance was given life and beauty: transformed by the philosophies he professed throughout the dance.
About 20 students were asked to come on the gymnasium floor and mimic his movements with the hoops. He said warriors in his tribe were picked by their skill and dexterity in motion, as seen in the hoop dance. Two winners of the hoop dance - one boy, and one girl - were given peace medals; the medals are replications of the same ones given to Native Americans in 1889 by fur traders, he said.
Dallas Chief Eagle closed the assembly by paying respect to his son who was tragically killed in a car crash, tying that incident into the drug-free message of red week.
"He never drank or did drugs," he said, "and he never saw his mom or dad drink or do drugs either."
Hoop dancing has had a long life, and can be seen on cave drawings in South Dakota, he said. Dallas Chief Eagle also said there is an annual hoop dancing contest, which brings more than 10,000 people from around the world to showcase their art. He has been touring schools since the '80's he said, spreading his harmonious views to all who will listen.
Linderman counselor, Chris McElwee, said he enjoyed Dallas Chief Eagle's presentation. Students at Linderman have decorated doors to promote alcohol and drug-free lifestyles and healthy living, and will walk on the track Thursday, wear red on Friday and run/walk the Polson Pirates' Monster Mash on Saturday for this cause.
"We have different things going on in the classrooms," he said. "We're trying to get more community members involved too."
McElwee said that in the faculty's attempt to push healthy living - on top of staying away from drugs and alcohol - they invited several members of the community to talk about their exemplary daily habits. The speakers have presented their stories to various classrooms and will continue to do so throughout the week.