Rescuing Our Native American Culture

Celebrating the Diversity of Indigenous Nations

Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe, is a Native American educational and performance group. Our members are from many different Native heritages. They are historians, drummers, dancers, storytellers, flute players and educators of the Native American culture. We have done many schools, colleges and public events here on Staten Island as well as the New York area, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Our mission is to share the beauty and history of our culture with the general public.

On May 14th and 15th of 2005 Red Storm hosted a pow-wow in conjunction with the Staten Island Children Museum. The two-day event was very well received by those who attended. This pow-wow was also made possible with a grant from COAHSI. Many small Staten Island businesses donated food and equipment needed to run the pow-wow. There were approximately fifteen (15) vendors who came from all over the country. Because it was a two-day event the vendors stayed overnight on the grounds by their vending booths. There were no complaints or problems so far as the vendors staying overnight, or the pow-wow event itself.


In October 2005 Red Storm and the Staten Island Children Museum, had started planning a second pow-wow for May 20th and 21st, 2006. At this time, we also applied for a grant from COAHSI, which we did receive. Sometime in January Red Storm received a call from the Staten Island Children Museum, telling us we had to change the dates because Snug Harbor was having their Neptune Ball. Red Storm agreed and changed the dates to May 13th and 14th 2006. Then we received a call from Nichole Libby of Snug Harbor. Nichole asked if we could come in to their office and speak about Snug Harbor also being apart of the pow-wow. Margie Boldeagle and Robert Boldeagle from Red Storm met with Nichole Libby, JoAnn Mardikos and Fran Hueber of Snug Harbor. This meeting was mainly Snug Harbor stating what the Staten Island Children’s Museum did wrong with last years pow-wow. Especially having the vendors stay overnight.


Fran Hueber expressed that we would need permission from city parks, for vendors to stay overnight. While we were there Fran tried to contact the City Parks Commissioner. But was unable to reach him. At this point Margie Boldeagle stated that there are concessions made for multiple day event for owners of equipment to stay overnight to guard their equipment as well as Native American events. The following day Nichole Libby called to let us know that the City Parks Commissioner will not allow vendors to stay overnight. Margie Boldeagle then tried to contact the City Parks Commissioner (Thomas Paulo), only to find out he was Fran Hueber’s brother. For approximately a month Margie Boldeagle tried reaching City Park Commissioner. Thomas Paulo never returned her calls. The Childrens Museum finally was able to put Margie in contact with Christine Rumbf Deputy Chief of Operations with City Parks Department.


On March 7th, 2006 Margie and Robert Boldeagle met with Christine Rumbf. Margie and Robert provided Christine with information on the pow-wow and how all the vendors come from out state and need to stay with their vending supplies overnight. Christine gave Red Storm a application and said she would get back to us. The next day Christine Rumbf called and stated the City Parks will not give permission for vendors to stay overnight. When Margie Boldeagle asked why, she was told it came from their legal department. When asked who was their legal department Margie was told they are in the city, when again asked who they were Margie was told she did not need to know. When we asked to talk to Thomas Paulo, Christine Rumbf stated he would not talk to us. Because of this situation we had to cancel this years pow-wow.  We are contacting you in the hopes that you can help us resolve this issue. So in the years to come we can have a traditional pow-wow here on Staten Island.   Thank you.Red Storm Drum and Dance TroupePromoter, Organizer Margie Boldeaglerboldeagle@si.rr.com 


     We the people from Staten Island in all the New York City area would like to see more Native American Pow-Wows, educational events and programs that last for a number of days instead of this "few hour gathering." It has been raining off and on for the past few days and because of the weather in these few brief hours when this event does take place, the turn out will not nor cannot be expected to be high. A Pow-Wow is an important part of the Native American tradition. The Staten Island community needs and wants to see more of these indigenous legacies come to fruition instead of being cut back and is now being blocked in an extremely limited time. These blocks are a disgrace and an insult to all that live in this N.Y.C. Region. Please help the Native American Culture stay alive so that the past will be a part of Staten Island forever.
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