Kyle Robinson isn’t Native American by bloodline or any other standards drawn up by governments throughout the years.

But an adoption of sorts means the 20-year-old is a staple at powwows across Kansas, the Mirror of Tonganoxie, Kan. reports.

Robinson said he had a smattering of Native American blood in his family tree, as do many Americans whose ancestry stretches back through multiple generations. His seven-year interest in Indian dance and culture stemmed from his Boy Scout days and his association with the Mike Henre family of Tonganoxie.

The Henre’s helped Robinson create his regalia and taught him the traditional dances. Robinson now has some of the most intricate and colorful regalia in the powwows and intends to continue learning about the culture as he dances in more and more powwows.

Henre said his son Chester (who rarely dances now because of an injury) taught Robinson the intricacies of the traditional dance performed at powwows.

“Kyle was working to join the Order of the Arrow,” he said. “He asked Chester if he could teach him traditional dance. Chester said he would but that he would have to practice and do what he said.”

. . .

In addition to the powwows, Robinson attended the Indian Council of Many Nation’s seminars in the spring, which he recommended to others interested in learning more about Native American culture.

Jenna Cederberg