Wolf Cry Singers bring Native American traditions
Arielle Burstein '10
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Features
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These women, who as Hannah Gavalis '10 noted were "spirited" and "energetic," seek to maintain their culture through song.
Group member Dee Ko explained, "Our mission is to bring back who we are."
At a time when Native American cultural practices were forbidden, song and chant allowed for the secretive proliferation of tradition and language.
The group sees this oral practice as a way to bring back "pride," says member Mary Jeppe.
Dressed in customary Ribbon shirts and skirts, the seven group members performed both traditional and contemporary Native American songs and chants from the northeast.
Intact for 5 years, the singers represent many Native American groups such as the Navajo, Cherokee, and Blackfoot, which span from the New England area up into Canada.
They sang songs of their own composition in Native languages and English. The songs were about customary Native American elements such as the eagle and "creator." Hand drums, each decorated with Native American symbols, were the main instrumental accompaniment.
The performance also included the flute, shakers and a rain stick.
The group gave a contextual story for each song or chant illustrating the modern relevance, such as the song for Mother Earth that called for us to respect the planet and the women's honor song that praised the role of women in society.
Several of their pieces illustrated the amalgamation of Native American and European influences, such as "Amazing Grace" which was sung by the Cherokee to commemorate those who died on the trail of tears.
At the end of the performance the women playfully encouraged the audience to form a circle with them and perform the "Friendship Song." Wheaton students and faculty did their best to keep up with the rhythm and lyrics, some were also handed
instruments to play.
"They did not succeed," says Jeppe of the painful history of attempted eradication of Native American culture. The performance of the Wolf Cry Singers certainly attested to this.
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