Public Invited to Artist Presentation October 11
Springs Area Council of the Arts (SACOTA) and the South Dakota Arts Council is sponsoring an Artist in residence at Wessington Springs Elementary School this month. Starr Chief Eagle, Lakota Culture Interpreter and Hoop Dancer will begin a residency next week, kicked off by a presentation for students and the community on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 8:15 a.m. in the elementary school gym.
The public is encouraged and invited to attend.
The rest of the week, Starr will focus her time with 5th and 6th grade students, working with them in the gym and in their social studies classroom.
The residency will offer students a glimpse into Lakota Culture, exploring the language, art and stories of the Lakota people in a fun, educational way.
Hoop Dance encourages the use of important values including respect, creativity, determination and selfbalance.
Starr Chief Eagle is an enrolled member of the Sicangu (Rosebud) Lakota Sioux Tribe. She was born with the Lakota name Wichahpi Tokahe (First Star) and was later given the Lakota name Wichahpi Ohitika Winyan (Brave Star Woman) as she entered into adulthood. She grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota including Rapid City and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and started hoop dancing before she could walk. Since then, she has been practicing to perfect her techniques and skills. Starr was raised up in hoop dancing by her father Dallas Chief Eagle and continues to carry on his teachings with a combination of her own.
