Singing with Pride

David LaDeaux and Roger White Eyes. Photo by Sierra Concha '13. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School.

 Singing with Pride

By Phillip Zimiga ‘13

Roger White Eyes teaches a class called Lakota Singing/Lakota IV. The students taking the class include Crystal Bad Wound ‘13, Melinda Bad Wound ‘14, William Belt ‘14, Percival I’Atala ‘15, Falcon Albers ‘13, Andre Starr '13, Joshua Black Feather ‘14 and Floyd Brings Plenty ‘14.

Roger's goal is to enable students to learn and use the Lakota songs. He teaches prayer songs, sweat lodge songs, sundance songs, flag songs, and ceremonial songs. 

“I don’t have any best singers,” said Roger. “They are all improving and taking leads.” He likes teaching because he wants the students to use the Lakota language.

This class is unique is because not many schools have a singing class for students to learn the songs. "I liked taking up the leads and learning how to use my voice in other ways," said senior David LaDeaux, who took the class last fall.