On February 13th, some members of the Dance Team performed for the annual Troop 806 Spaghetti Dinner. We danced about once an hour, and when we were not performing, we were answering people’s questions, and explaining who we are and what we do. This event is rapidly growing, and we look forward to next year.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
On January 22nd to the 24th, the Nawakwa Lodge Native American Indian Dance Team returned to Statesville, North Carolina, for their annual Carolina Indian Seminar. On Friday night, we watched the opening pow wow. We were able to watch the other dancers, such as Grass Dancers and Traditional Dancers, which we do not get to do much when we are dancing. On Saturday, we attended classes on everything from basic dance classes to Northern Singing. Saturday night, we participated in the pow wow. This year, the closing pow wow blew me away. Southern Drum played the best that I have ever heard. The whole team was fired up. Around the middle of the pow wow, the other drum, the Muddy Creek Singers, who taught the Northern Singing class, invited all that took the class to come up to the drum and play an intertribal. It was amazing to dance to a song that your friends are playing. We are definitely excited about going back next year.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
On November 6th to 8th, members of the Nawakwa Lodge Native American Indian Dance Team traveled to Blackstone the Indian Lore merit badge. A total of 17 boys got the Indian Lore merit badge that weekend. We taught them about Native American culture, dance, and we also taught them some Native American games. Members of the team that attended this event were Mr. Richards, Nick Richards, Mr. Stallings, Sam Beuglass, and Tommy Poe. We had a great time teaching the scouts Indian Lore. Saturday night, there was a campfire, and we did the Intertribal and Sneak up. We then asked all of the scouts that participated in the merit badge to come on stage and perform a round dance. This was a great event, and we look forward to next year.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
On October 9th to the11th, the Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team attended the Lodge’s Fall Fellowship, which also marks the 90th Anniversary of the Order of the Arrow. For those who have never been to a Fall Fellowship, it is a weekend of fun. There are no Ordeals, no tests, and no ceremonies (except for the awards banquet). We had a great time. This year, there was a dunking booth, a rock climbing wall, and of course, the Slip and Slide of Death. We were also honored to have the National Vice Chief, Dan Higham, attended this lodge event. In the morning, there were classes. Dance was one of these classes. visitors were taught about what we do, Native American Culture, and also, they were taught how to dance at the end. I would like to thank Will Floyd, Jeff Stallings, Guy Allen, and Andrew for teaching the class. After lunch, we could walk around and see what else there was. The dance team also set up the tomahawk stands, and we threw tomahawks for the rest of the day. That evening after dinner, we had the awards. One of our long time dancers, Will Swingle, was awarded the James E. West Fellowship award. Congratulations Will. Also, some lodge members received the Vigil Honor, which is the highest level in the Order of the Arrow. I was honored to be one of the arrowmen to recieve this honor. The Vigil name that I was given is Gentgeen Kiamachpin Miechbowe, which means “Dancer who is a Quiet Feather.” I am so humbled to receive this award this year. I would like to thank the entire team for their support. I would especially like to thank Mr. Richards and Mr. DeHoff. After the awards part, we danced for the Lodge Rededication ceremony. It was a great ceremony this year. We had a great time this weekend. Our next event will be the Camporee, which we will be having the tomahawks set up again.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
On September 7th to the 9th, the Dance team attended the Lodge’s Fall Service Weekend. On Saturday, we went to the Brotherhood Ceremony.
That evening, we danced at the Ordeal ceremonies. There were 5 ceremonies. We had a great time. After the last Ordeal ceremony, we got all members to join us in a Round Dance. Every Service Weekend, the Round Dance gets bigger and bigger. We even had a first time dancer, Andrew.
Also at the Service Weekend, we made announcements about how the Dance Team did at NOAC. Three dancers went to NOAC, Sam Osterhout, Guy Allen, and Baylor Dickerson. Guy Allen made it to the 1st round. Baylor Dickerson made it to the 2nd round, and Sam Osterhout made it to the 2nd round, and then went on to dance on the stage, making him in the top 10 for OA dancers in the entire country. Congratulations guys, and we are very proud of you. Overall, we had a great weekend.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance team Chief
Saturday, July 25th, Buckingham County held it’s first Cowboy Day Event. The Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team was asked to participate in the event. We got there Friday evening in order to set up two tipis. On Saturday, we crafted and spoke to visitors. We were then asked to dance so that PBS could take video of us to show on Virginia Currents, that will are sometime this fall. After being taped, we continued to craft and give tours of our area. Then at 4:15, we performed again for everybody. After that last performance of the day, everybody was ready to get out of regalia. We then took down our area and left. The event was very fun. We were able to teach visitors about what we do, and we were also able to walk around and see some of the other areas, and speak to the people there, including Civil War reenactors, cowboys, and even a TV star from the 60’s. I hope that we are asked to participate again next year, and I look forward to it. I also want to say thanks to the dancers that attended, including Jeff Stallings, Guy Allen, Austin Hines, Sam Osterhout, as well as myself. I would also like to thank the adults that helped us this weekend, including Mr. Richards, Mrs. Allen, Mr. Stallings, Mr. Hines, and Mr. Poe.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
In April every year, the dance team travels to the Order of the Arrow Section SR7A Conclave. This year, it was April 24th to April 26th. It was hosted by Wahunsenakah Lodge in Bayport, Virginia. We got there Friday afternoon, and set up three tipis. On Saturday, we worked on the American Indian Affairs Area. Once it was set up, Dance Competitions began at 1:00. There were competitions for different dance styles, including, Fancy, Old Style, Northern Traditional, and Grass. Competitors from Nawakwa Lodge were Sean Cahoon, Sam Beuglass, Guy Allen, Caleb Denson, Jeff Stallings, and Tommy Poe. All of our dancers did an excellent job. All of them will be great dancers in the very near future. Three of the six dancers from our lodge placed in their competitions. Caleb Denson took First Place in Grass Dance. And for Old Style, Tommy Poe got First Place and Jeff Stallings came in Second Place. Once again, all of the dancers did an excellent job. I hope everyone will attend Conclave next year. It will be hosted by Tutelo Lodge on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation. In 2011, Nawakwa Lodge will host the SR7A Conclave at Camp T. Brady Saunders.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
The Nawakwa Lodge Indian Dance Team performs at the Lodge’s Service Weekends in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. On Saturday, we usually craft. Around 2:00, the Brotherhood members of the team go to perform for the Brotherhood ceremony. After dinner, the whole team performs at the Ordeal ceremony. We have a lot of fun. It is a great time to get some dancing in.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
On January 23rd, the Nawakwa Lodge Native American Dance Team took a trip to the Carolina Indian Seminar in Statesville, North Carolina. Lodges from all over the country came to this event. While there, we went to classes on Saturday. Examples of classes were loom beading, finger weaving, bustle construction, beading, singing, and pretty much any other class about Native American dancing that you can think of. We had a great time. We learned a lot. We also had some first time dancers attend the seminar. Saturday night, everyone participated in a powwow. We had a Grand Entry, and then had several Intertribal. There were also some Honor Dances. We had a great time. We look forward to going next year.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
Throughout the Fall and Winter, the Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team held several crafting weekends. During crafting weekends, we work on our regalia and get ready for Conclave. We craft Friday night, and all day Saturday. The crafting weekends were at Brady Saunders on the Cub Camp side. We stayed in the Mountain Cabins. we are planning to have more crafting weekends during the summer to get extra crafting done. Crafting Weekends are not the only time that we craft. Most dancers craft when there is nothing to do at home. Crafting takes a lot of time, but the results are outstanding. You will not find a dancer that is not proud of his regalia.
Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief
