National Park College (NPC) hosted a Native American Heritage Celebration Friday that
included a traditional pow wow demonstration by the Whirlwind Tails Dance Troupe and
displays of Native American jewelry, apparel and beadwork.
Members of the dance troupe included Steven Scissortail Morales, Hewohwhedus Starr
Robideau, William Morales, Paula Starr, and Chris and Candace Hixenbaugh of the Apache
tribe.
Steven is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and of Sioux and Kaqchikel decent.
He is a retired Army Staff Sergeant, the current Commander of the Cherokee Nation
Color Guard and co-chair of the American Indian Center of Arkansas. He is an accomplished
silversmith and basket weaver.
Hewohwhedus Starr Robideau Morales is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho
tribes in Oklahoma on her maternal side. Paternally she is a descendant of the Turtle
Mountain and White Earth Chippewa and Sissiton Sioux tribes. She is a direct descendant
of Chief Black Kettle, niece of Leonard Peltier, a political prisoner and Robert Robideau,
an American Indian movement activist. She has more than 20 years of experience serving
on nonprofit boards. Morales has been dancing since she could walk and has held several
prestigious titles. She sews and beads to create the regalia worn by her family.
William Morales is the son of Steven and Hewohwhedus Starr and the youngest of three
siblings. He is a second grader who is passionate about history and playing army.
He enjoys sharing his culture and is the family’s next generation of storytellers.
Paula Starr, Hewohwhedus Starr’s mother is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes
in Oklahoma and is a direct descendant of Chief Black Kettle. She is an Advocate for
Native Americans, an educator and activist.
Hewohwhedus Starr, William and Paula presented an intertribal dance demonstration
that featured dance elements from various tribes. The event began with a grand entry
featuring a flag song where the colors of the flag were presented and a victory song
was performed to honor veterans. The group then performed a four direction song and
opened the pow wow with a prayer.
View our picture album of the event.
