Native American Singers and Dancers 'Texas Connection' Returns to Scout-O-Rama 2017 This Saturday

The Texas Connection of Houston, Texas are returning to host the Native American events area for Scout-O-Rama 2017. The Texas Connection is well known and respected throughout the United States in Native American dance competitions and craft.

Scout-O-Rama Director of Program, Richard Sexton, said, “We are so excited to have this group back for 2017. The dancing and singing and Native American educational opportunities they bring to our Scout show is fantastic.”

The Texas Connection Singers are a Southern Indian singing group who perform at Pow Wows throughout Texas and Oklahoma, and make their expertise available in training and crafts to Boy Scout Order of the Arrow (OA) Lodges and Councils across the country. They have traveled to OA Conclaves throughout Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, and New York. Last fall, they visited our very own Akela Wahinapay OA Lodge 232 at Camp Preston Hunt for a training session and demonstration. Their services are offered at minimal cost to their hosts for housing, meals, and a stipend to defray expenses.

The group provides music as well as instruction in various Indian crafts and lore:

Southern Singing
Dance Styles
Drum Stick Making
Finger Weaving
Beadwork (Lazy Stitch, Gourd Stitch, Edge Beading, Loom Beading)
Moccasin Making
Medicine Bags
Rosettes
Pow Wow Etiquette
Drum Etiquette

Drum Chief, Eloy Solis, organized Texas Connection Singers primarily to support, promote, and provide service to Sections’ and Lodges’ American Indian Activities programs. The group has been called upon to perform nationally at Indian Summer and National Order of the Arrow Conferences. They also host Southern Drum at Native American sponsored Pow Wows several times each year.

Scout-O-Rama Public Information Director Jim Standridge had this to say about Texas Connection; " I missed them at Scout-O-Rama last year but we had them come back in October to teach our Order of the Arrow Lodge new dance information, drumming techniques and Pow-Wow etiquette. What an experience, we all learned a lot from this group, it was a great day."

All members of the group have ties to Scouting. Many of them have been recognized by youth as Vigil Honor Members in the Order of the Arrow. Most of the men and youth are Eagle Scouts and several of the adults are Silver Beaver Award recipients.

Come sharpen your dancing skills or learn for the first time about Native American craft. It will be a colorful activity and the air will be filled with the sound of drum and singing. Watch for their performances between the hours of 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 22. It is free to all dancers and there will be something for all ages to enjoy.

If you have questions about Scout-O-Rama please call our Scout Service Center at 903-793-2179 or visit us online at 4statessor.com, or our Facebook page, facebook.com/CaddoSOR.