By STACY MILLBERG
Staff Writer
smillberg@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON - - Area children got a taste of the Native American heritage, Tuesday at Henderson Memorial Public Library's Native American Celebration.
White Buffalo Woman, Silent Coyote, Bear Spirit and Winter Hawk, of the Rapid Rivers Drum Circle of the United Eastern Lenape Nation, educated children on the customs and practices of Native Americans. Children listened to the drum circle and even got to try it out themselves. Native American foods were served and Nicole Petric delivered an oral and visual presentation that won her a trip to the Ohio State Fair competition. The presentation was of her Cherokee Heritage Living History 4-H project.
White Buffalo Woman talked with children about various clothing Native American's wear and make.
"Whatever animal is sacrificed for whatever we are making, we do not waste any of the animal," she said.
Bone is used to sew with and husks are used for making knives, she said. White Buffalo Woman had samples for children to view including a medicine bag and various feathers from animals.
"We usually do not share what is in our (medicine) bags," she said. "It is our own personal medicine. Anything personal to us we put in our medicine bags and we wear it and carry it with us. It's not something we go around showing people."
When Native Americans make their dream catchers, they generally put something that is very important to them on it, White Buffalo Woman said.
Native Americans also have many things that are sacred to them. She said it is very disrespectful for people to touch the regalia Native Americans wear and also their hair, without asking them first.
"Our hair is a very sacred part of us," she said. "A lot of our energy is in our hair."
White Buffalo Woman said chances are if a person asks to touch the regalia or hair, Native Americans will generally not have a problem with it.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 11/12/2006
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