by Amber Schmitz, Sumner Newscow —  In celebration of Native American heritage and culture, the South Haven American Indian Youth Leadership Council held a Pow Wow at South Haven High School on Saturday. Many Native American dancers from Haysville and Wichita joined them. Sandra Mendia of Wellington was the honored elder.

Susan Seal

The purpose of the council is to enhance the culture, academics and successful leadership for future Native American leaders. The club’s membership is open to all high school students at South Haven who are in good standing. Twaila Wiley is the 6th-12th grade Science teacher and JETS sponsor as well. Susan Seal, formerly of South Haven, is the group’s Native American sponsor.

The group has done several things to bring cultural awareness to the school and community by hosting guest speakers, dancers, authentic tee pees, dancing for preschool students and talking to them on Thanksgiving.

They have also danced at the South Haven Fair, bought Native American library books and videos for the school, provided tutoring to increase grades, performed in the Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Pageant twice, and have taken field trips to Etzanoa in Ark City, and the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival in Tushkahomma, Okla. The have also participated in the OSU Native American Student Association PowWow in Stillwater, Okla.

“The AIYLC provides opportunity for students to learn to make jewelry and Indian crafts as well as step out of their comfort zone and develop leadership skills and be ambassadors for their culture and heritage,” Wiley said.

There were some great looking dance clothing at the Pow Wow in South Haven.

This was the first dance for the Title VII program of South Haven to hold a PowWow. The gourd dance began at 2 p.m., with a dinner break at 5 p.m. The evening session was held at 6 p.m. They performed the following types of dancing:  gourd, round, intertribal,  traditional,  fancy (mens),  fancy shawl (womens),  cloth,  jingle,  grass and buckskin.   

“The PowWow we put on was one more attempt to share our culture with everyone,” Wiley said. “Our kids were really excited that so many people showed up to give their support and they had a great time.”

The students and parents make their own regalia, jewelry, breastplate, etc., by learning at a summer sewing class held at the school.

“The kids come in after school,  on weekends,  and in the summer on their own time to learn new skills,” Wiley said. “They also had a table at the back of the gym at the PowWow to sell things they had handcrafted which went over well.”

South Haven’s AIYLC Princess, Cynae Wiley, is now a recognized Choctaw Nation artist. Another one of the AIYLC officers, Summer Moncivias, is the Medicine Lodge Princess.

For all the Sumner Newscow pictures click here. 

Hannah Ramahi of Wichita was dressed with pride.

Follow us on Facebook.

Follow us on Twitter.