1950: [Munsee Indian Dancers] .."not long ago probably fought for the cowboy position in playing "cowboys and Indians" prefer now to take the role of the savage? "

Scouts Interpret Indian Dances

by John P Kline 

1950, June 18 The Morning Call 

The low, mystic beat of the tom tom, the soft rhythmic shuffling of moccasined feet on a giant thunder drum, and the plaintive chanting of a group of young "braves" in voicing thanks to "Woconda," constitutes a typical Indian dance as performed by the Munsee Indian dancers of Troop 22, Boy Scouts of America. 

     Since last September, when these Allentown Scouts began to perform Indian dances before the public after a year's training, thousands of Americans have come to realize, through the dance and accompanying narrations, that the American Indian was indeed, not only remarkable but decidedly "typically American" in most of his ways. He was a good sport, good neighbor, good husband and father; loved life, hated injustice, and respected authority. 

     Rev Charles J Harris, pastor of St Michael's Evangelical Lutheran church, declared that the dances performed by this group of boys constitute one of the most unique presentations of Indian folklore he had ever seen.

Tell Indian Devotion 

     The outstanding characteristic of the dances, according to Rev Harris, is the "insight they give to the devotional attitude of the Indian."
     But greater things loom ahead for the young interpreters of the way of the Indian. This group is said to be the only one that interprets certain dances in the East. The steps, the rhythms, costumes and routines all are authentic, learned from authorities on Indian lore, including several full-blooded Indians in person.
     Why do these boys, who not long ago probably fought for the cowboy position in playing "cowboys and Indians" prefer now to take the role of the savage? 

     The boys themselves will tell you, in all earnestness and truth, that their own impressions of the Indians have changed from bad to good. It is with genuine respect and admiration that the enlightened person regards the American redman. It is regretful,the scouts declare, that the white man generally did not earn a mutual respect.
     The scouts, in seeking means to practice their craftsmanship and study of Indian lore, discovered that the Indian was really a man of more than passing ingenuity and skill as applied to everyday living. The Indian was discovered to have been a man who believed in a hereafter and a man who worshipped his God. Furthermore he believed in a coming Messiah, a white one too.
     Since most Scout troops are fathered by religious organizations it was no wonder that this blending of the manly arts and religion became attractive to those who guide the youngsters in their preparation for Life and in their play.

     The Scouts will quickly explain, and with pride, that during the times of Indian-whiteman warfare it was the men of Christian principles and practice that fared well in their dealings with the tormented Redman. 

Dances Are Arduous 

     The dances done by these youths are colorful, rhythmic and athletic. A person addicted to an easy chair could not well participate, nor could he take part in the more than the first one or two dances in the routine, for it take something of a young brave to accomplish the intricate and arduous movements of legs, back, head and shoulders and arms.
     The eagle must fly, must be snared and killed; the buffalo must roam, must feed, flee, be speared, before his dance is completed. The happy warriors must gather their hunting equipment, leave camp, encounter swift water, smooth water, stalk the prey, make the kill, give thanks to Woconda, and return, to end the "Happy Warrior Returns" dance. This takes skill and stamina. 

Authentic Interpretation

     The scouts perform the dances with accuracy and authenticity never getting "out of character" during the performance. They know that the Redman had a time for fun, a time for work and a time for prayer. It was during the dancing that prayer, as the Indian knew it, was offered via costume, beads, tomahawk, song, motion and tomtom or drum. These are the qualities so realistically portrayed to the amazement of the audiences....

1950, June 18 The Morning Call 

1950, June 18 The Morning Call