Article Misrepresented Program

To the Editor:

Thank you to Trinity Church for continuing interest and activities which will help the Indians who live in the poorest counties in America, the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and to Sue Vogelman for carrying on her family’s tradition of educating others through her ministry at Trinity.

The Red Tail Dancers were honored to be invited to participate in raising awareness of current day Native American culture through dance and music on February 6 at Trinity.

I need to clarify and correct some statements printed in Larissa Lytwyn’s article about the above event printed in the February 11 Newtown Bee.

1. The Red Tail Dancers focus entirely on social dances of the modern-day Pow Wow or celebration, related culture, and history. They do not perform any spiritual dances as stated in the article.

2. The caption under one photo says the couples are “. . . performing a couples’ spiritual dance.” The dance pictured is actually a social dance for couples called a Two-Step, popular throughout the country.

3. The next picture is of a Round Dance.

4. The third picture is of Bob Hendrickson and Russ Olson in an intertribal dance, not a fancy dance.

5. In the article Ms Lytwyn refers to “The fancy dance portion of the Pow Wow.” The Fancy Dance is a style of dance that is very energetic with a set of appropriate ornate dance cloths.

6. Where it is indicated in the article that the group dances “various styles,” that means the dancing was “intertribal” where each person dances to the style dictation by their clothing and tradition. It is not “ . . . various aspects of Native American spirituality . . .”

It is imperative to set these facts straight. When representing a living culture, a race of people, it is necessary to do so with respect and honor. The Red Tail Dancers and Company do this according to lessons from their Native teachers. Mitakuye Oyasin — We are all related.

Sincerely,

Fran Hendrickson

Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook                          February 16, 2005