Fancy shawl instructor encourages Bismarck students to let powwow dancing be an ‘interpretation of life’

Wind Spirit Spotted Bear laid down some tobacco and prayed. After careful deliberation, she chose to teach. Not just to demonstrate, but to share her reasons why she loves to dance.

“That’s the joy of it, is that challenge and just being able to spin and twirl, to kick your feet and move –– you feel as light as a feather,” said Spotted Bear.

The dance teacher shared her passion for her chosen craft with students from Bismarck Public Schools on Wed., Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, for a women’s fancy shawl workshop to give students the opportunity to learn the art of the dance at United Tribes Technical College Wellness Center. 

For awhile, she stopped dancing due to a loss in her family and recently giving birth to her youngest daughter. A few weeks ago, Spotted Bear was approached by Donovan Lambert, the BPS Cultural Responsive Coordinator, to lead the women’s fancy shawl workshop. Fancy shawl dancers are known for their athleticism and quick footwork.

Back when Lambert first began his role at BPS five years ago, he and Indian Education Director Sashay Schettler talked with students to get an idea of what programs or activities they were interested in. He said several students wanted to learn how to dance since there weren’t many instructors in the community. From there, he reached out to local residents who’d be able to share their style of dance and show students their regalia. 

“There’s that sense of belonging like they’re connected to something,” said Lambert. “They’re connected to our culture, to song and their dancing. They’re smiling and having fun.”

One of the reasons Lambert reached out to Spotted Bear is because of her skill and dedication to the art. When she was around three years old, she began learning how to dance. She recalled sharing her Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara culture by visiting and performing at different schools since she was a little girl.

“I’ve been dancing since I could walk,” said Spotted Bear. “I remember my mom knew I wanted to dance so she would do her best to take me to every celebration. Even if I had super short hair, she still managed to put them in two tight braids and throw me out there in a shawl. I just loved it.”

Previously when she used to live in Grand Forks, N.D., she taught dance classes for the North Star Council in Grand Forks. They would fuse hip-hop with their style of traditional dancing for one-hour sessions with children in the area. 

While she always knew she’d return to her passion, her kids are the other reason why she finally came back and rejoined the dance circle. Her oldest daughter can now keep up. Eventually, she hopes to pass down her love of dance to her two-month-old daughter. 

Jermaine Bell, a Lakota singer and drummer, advised the participants to feel the beat and get in tune with the music. “Find your own circle, find your own pace,” said Bell. “You don’t have to follow each other.” 

As the workshop progressed, students began to experiment after they learned some of the basic foot movements for the fancy shawl. The hardest part for a few was figuring out how to stay on beat while transitioning to the next move. Between each set, Spotted Bear would encourage the dancers to keep trying. 

“Don’t feel like you have to be the fanciest ones out there,” said Spotted Bear. “Your dance is your interpretation of life.”

Peyton Miner, a 10-year-old who participated in the workshop, began coming to the workshops to learn the butterfly dance. Her favorite part is seeing the different styles of costumes and shawls worn. Her mother, Mandi Hairy Shirt, believed it was important to allow her daughter to learn more about her heritage. “I was really proud that she was dancing because it eased her into the cultural part of it,” said Hairy Shirt. 

The main takeaway from these workshops is for students and community members to learn from each other. “Just be respectful, don’t be boastful,” said Spotted Bear. “Go in there with a good heart, with good energy. Go in there with a prayer for the youth, culture and our way of life.”

In the future, BPS wants to begin a regalia-making class for different dance categories.For now, Lambert said, they’re trying to create workshops for each style of dance demonstrated.

The last round of workshops for the fall will be the Men’s Grass on November 8 and 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. BPS and UTTC will continue hosting dance workshops again after January. 

Dateline:

BISMARCK, N.D.