Ninepipes holds Round Dance
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CHARLO – Mark your calendars for a special treat at the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana on Thursday, July 26. Leo Charlie and fellow drummers and singers will first offer a Round Dance workshop and demonstration from 1-3 p.m. and will then drum and sing for a Round Dance from 6-9 p.m. The round dance is a traditional Native American dance with a message of friendship and spiritual solidarity; a dance for meeting old friends and for making new friends. Charlie will perform with Jeffery Longman, a member of the Grey Buffalo Singers who is of Cree-Saulteaux ancestry, as well as other performers from Canada and the Northwest. Nancy Vaughan and her crew will sell Indian Tacos and fry bread from 1-8 p.m.
Leo Charlie grew up singing and dancing as far back as he can remember. Born in Tennessee, he is a member of the Thompson River Lower Nicola Band from British Columbia, Canada. His parents, Vernita Charlie and Tony Maier, moved to Montana where Charlie subsequently was raised by Daryl Stenstrom and Vernita and attended school in Ronan. He formed his first drum group while in Ronan Junior High and earned a letterman’s pin for drumming. During his high school years, Charlie drove his group around the Northwest to various powwows. He has recorded five CDs, and most of the songs on the CDs are his original compositions. His latest CD release titled, “Songs From the Road,” contains 18 round dance songs and features Jared Bird, Henry Aleck, Thomas Kicking Woman and eight other performers. Charlie states in his CD insert, “There is nothing more beautiful than to be Native American/First Nations Indian – to be blessed – and still to this day be carrying on our cultural and traditional ways of life.” He loves singing on the big drum, but his passion is round dance and hand drum songs. Charlie is considered by many to be the “song bird of his generation” and resides in Post Falls, Idaho, when he is not traveling and performing across the United States.
There will be limited seating for elders so be sure to bring your own chairs and blankets. This is a free event but a donation to help fund expenses would be appreciated. Call 406-644-3435 or email: info@ninepipesmuseum.org for information.
