Bryant School Celebrates Native Americans in Song, Stories and Dance
Video Adventure by Jeff Johll Article by Gary Olsen

ounding drums echoed from the Bryant Elementary School gymnasium which was magically transformed into a tribal council area. External light sources such as windows were completely blocked out. The footlights, ingeniously rigged from those quartz construction job lights one sees at a Lowe's Home Improvement, created an ethereal glow as they illuminated the performers faces. It gave the appearance of firelight. It was a fantastic scene, especially when the authentically dressed Indian dancers took to the floor.

It was a fitting follow-up to last year's Bryant School extravaganza musical, Lewis & Clark. You might recall that the Native American's didn't fare too well following Lewis & Clark's opening of the West to white settlement. You might say that this year, Bryant chose to tell the story from the Indian's point of view, culturally speaking.

"American History is an extremely important curriculum of study by the time students reach 5th grade," says Bev Graves, one of the organizers of the show. "And when you study American history, you must start with the Native Americans."

Helping the students on their expedition of discovery were real Native Americans from Eastern Iowa. Indian drummers from Davenport, Iowa, brought up their huge ceremonial drum for the performances, and Loras College's Dr. Denise Henning, herself a Native American, helped producers of the show with factual information and guidance to give proper respect to the material.

Students were made up to appear as animals or as spirits of nature in Native American stories and legends.

An exciting aspect of the show were the authentic Indian regalia (don't call them "costumes," were were admonished). According to Dr. Henning, these were the real deal ceremonial clothing. All aspects of the clothing and adornment had a purpose, either to enhance the rhythm of the music (the jingle dress was covered with hundreds of little silver bells), or to make the dancer appear as an animal such as a ruffled grouse or a great bird.

Thanks to Bev Graves, Barb Egan and the staff at Bryant for inviting us to a wonderful event.

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