Drum and dance group keeps youth off the streets

RAPID CITY – Following a long break after the death of its founder, Daron White Eagle, the Wambli Ska Drum & Dance Society has resumed its weekly practices.

The longtime dance group based in Rapid City lost some of its momentum after founder Daron White Eagle passed away on July 20, 2018. White Eagle founded the group nearly ten years ago after having a vision during a ceremony in which he was directed to start a group to bring traditional practices to the youth of Rapid City. This in turn would help to bring the children into the powwow circle and away from the bad influences in the homes and on the streets of the Black Hills town.

Now after nearly a year, Wambli Ska (White Eagle in the Lakota language) has been hosting dance and drum practice at the Club For Boys near downtown Rapid City. Before practice, a small meal is provided for the families in attendance.

Daron’s son, Chris White Eagle, has taken over to lead the group into its next generation. He plans to carry on the legacy of his father and lead the youth down a positive path into Lakota ways. White Eagle has picked up the pace where his father left off last year. He continues to provide a small stipend for dancers and singers, and believes in bringing drum and dance to the youth.

Both father and son know the challenges of living in North Rapid City. They have built their cultural home the high risk neighborhood; not every wanting to take the group to another area in Rapid City. The drum and dance group have held practices at the Woyatan Church, Mother Butler, Oyate Community Center, and now at the Club For Boys. Each time they changed facilities was due to outgrowing the maximum capacity allowed for each venue.

Over the past ten years, Wambli Ska has been helping children become familiar with the powwow songs, both in singing and dancing. They have had many dancers who have gone on to become champion dancers in their categories at many powwows across the region. They have had participants become princesses and over the past few years have hosted a New Years powwow which drew in hundreds for a sober experience; more importantly kept children safe during this holiday often celebrated through the use of alcohol and other high risk activities.

During an event held in spring of 2019 in which Wambli Ska brought their drum outside of Pennington County Jail to sing some prayer songs for the inmates, Chris White Eagle was able to talk to State’s Attorney Mark Vargo.

The two met for the first time and talked about the work of Wambli Ska and Vargo was able to reach out to him regarding the Juvenile Diversion Program. The program has been designed to keep youth and young adult offenders out of the judicial system and detention facilities. This program has strict rules, but once passed successfully the young person shall have the tools needed to make healthier decisions in their lives.

White Eagle and Wambli Ska has become a part of the Juvenile Diversion Program. White Eagle says he has several students who come to the weekly practices. The youth help in setting up the gym for practice, serve meals if needed, sing and dance during the practices, and help with any needs associated with the events. The new leader of the groups says he is grateful for the help of the young persons and for the support of Mark Vargo and the Juvenile Diversion Program.

Through the JDP, White Eagle has been able to host other events including a basketball tournament recently and the county program has purchased a brand new drum for Wambli Ska to use at practices and area powwows.

White Eagle was at first shocked at the support he has gained from Mark Vargo and the Juvenile Diversion Program, but stated, “Mark is a good guy. He bought us this drum. He has helped us with food and the basketball tournament,” said White Eagle.

Both programs are helping students who struggle in school, at home, and/or have problems in their peer groups. Both programs have helped youth make good decision and remind them of the positive consequences to making positive decisions.

Wambli Ska Drum & Dance Society has helped hundreds of youth over the past decade. They helped in getting their regalia put together, teaching drum songs, feeding the people, and keeping youth off of the streets. For one night per week over the last decade, children and families have a safe place to play, dance and learn. Chris White Eagle wants to continue this legacy.

During the event held at the jail this past spring, Wambli Ska took their drum to the entrance of the jail to sing two prayer songs for the men and women locked up. The drum echoed between the buildings and powerful moment was capped off when the inmates began to war hoop and pound on the thick windows above. One face in the window was seeing crying. This is the impact his drum group has had on the community of Rapid City.

Chris White Eagle would like to invite everyone to come down and be a part of the drum and dance group. He understands the loyalty that people in the powwow community had towards his father, but wants them to come be a part of this next generation of Wambli Ska Drum & Dance Society. Practice is held on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., with “Grand Entry” happening at 6:00 p.m.

The dance and drum group will celebrate their culture at the Days of ’76 in Deadwood later in the summer.

(Contact Native Sun News Today Correspondent Richie Richards at richie4175@gmail.com)

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