The following is a newspaper article from the Oshkosh Northwestern...Sounds of a drum reverberated Tuesday afternoon at St. John Neumann Middle School in Oshkosh. There was an educational theme for the noise during a one-hour drum circle and Jingle Dress Dance demonstration in the school gym as part of Native American Heritage Month.
Margaret Berger, a sixth grader at Neumann and her sister, Anna, a third grader at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Elementary School, were among the star attractions. The two wore American Indian regalia as they performed the Jingle Dress Dance, which is a ceremonial healing dance where participants focus on a family member or friend who is ailing. "It's fun because I put on an outfit and dance," Margaret Berger said.
Their regalia included 80 to 90 small tobacco can lids curled up in the shape of cones and attached to their dress. The jingle creates noise for healing and prayer. "The sound of the jingle is good medicine," said Margaret and Anna's mother, Dana Berger, who helped arrange the demonstration at St. John Neumann.
The demonstration was presented through the Fox Valley Men's Circle in partnership with American Indian Services of the Fox Valley. Berger said her daughters have been practicing the Jingle Dress Dance since this summer after the family found out they have American Indian relatives. She said the great-grandmother of her husband, Paul, spent part of her life in the Bad River Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Reservation in northern Wisconsin.
Berger said the demonstration, where her daughters did the Jingle Dress Dance around the drum circle, was a good cultural experience for St. John Neumann students. "They learn about Native Americans in their history books, but don't get to experience it first hand, so this is a good way to introduce them to it," she said.
The demonstration included the opportunity for St. John Neumann students to join in on the fun with a two-step to end the gathering. Students formed pairs for the dance. Sixth grader Riley Edwards said he enjoyed the experience. "I think it was pretty fun to dance with all of my friends," he said.
Dana Berger said the drum circle was presented free of charge at St. John Neumann. She said The Oneida Nation has provided a grant for presentations this month at Seton, including lessons last week in how to play lacrosse and an upcoming session on drumming, singing and dancing on November 28. "Any school can apply for a grant to have performers come through the Oneida tribe," Dana Berger said.
