This is gonna move in "no longer a matter of concern" quickly in my opinion.
Howard is a well known singer. Currently he sets up as Heartbeat Singers and he composed The Denver March Song (the first song to open grand entry every year at Denver March Powwow). Formerly his drum was named Red Leaf Takoja, but he changed the name sometime after moving to Colorado. Howard's brother Pat currently sings with the Red Leaf Singers (from Rosebud) as well as Howard on occasion.
Howard has a long history. One of the first students at Dartmouth College in the 70's when the college recommitted to its original charter of education for Native Americans. He does things a little differently sometimes...one thing I can think of is his relationship with Tom Teegarten (a non-native) who also sings with his drum group and even composes songs in Lakota, but they've been friends since Dartmouth. The fact that he incorporates I Ching readings isn't necessarily odd for Howard as he is kind of known as a deep thinker. The other names I saw associated with this sun dance also don't ring any alarm bells for me. Howard is very involved with the NDN communities at large in Colorado and other portions of the southwest and also still very involved at Rosebud as well as with other family members.
Here's a short write up on the Red Leaf Singers:
http://www.dogsoldierpress.com/rls_warrior.htmlTraditional and historical warrior society and victory songs. Sung by a group known through four generations as traditional songkeepers for the Sicangu (Rosebud Sioux) Tribe. Lakota words to each song, with English translations, on the insert. Extended play.
The Red Leaf Singers are a well-known traditional singing group from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, South Dakota. The four brothers, Percy, Roy, William, and Burgess, have developed a distinct vocal and drumming style that is the product of a lifetime of singing together. As the third generation of singers to carry the Red Leaf name, the brothers’ reputation and popularity is based on their extensive repertoire of social, secular, and sacred music, their capabilities as song composers, and their role as teachers of singing traditions to young, aspiring singers.
"Songs of the Warrior" represents the Red Leaf Singers’ first-ever commercial recording. The Veterans’ and Soldier songs on this album belong to a rich legacy of music composed to honor the continuing Warrior Tradition of the Lakota People.
Due to space limitations, historical and compositional information have been omitted, but are available upon request from High Star Productions.
Singers: Percy, Roy, and Willie Bad Hand. Burgess Yellow Cloud, and Leo Chasing In Timber, Sr.
Assisted in this recording by Red Leaf Takoja Members Alphonso, Pat, and Howard Bad Hand.
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Superdog
