Family Shares Talents During Performance At Poplar School
Poplar students were treated to the entertainment and valuable words from a special family during a presentation in conjunction with the school’s Native American Week on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Opie Day Sr. along with his wife, Desirae Desnomie, and their children Aiyama Desnomie and “baby Opie” Opichee Day-Desnomie were featured in the Poplar High School gym.
Opie Day Sr. is the lead singer for Midnite Express, which performs at many of the country’s larger powwows.
During the presentation, Aiyama, who is a college freshman, explained how important it is for her to express the importance of her dress. “It means a lot to me to show the significance of the outfit,” she said.
Aiyama added that she is blessed to have parents who raised her with the heritage and tradition of Native Americans.
The family performs throughout the United States and Canada.
The parents said that Aiyama takes care of her dresses, cleans the clothes and prays for the dresses.
She danced to two songs in the performance.
Baby Opie, who is a first-grade student, then performed a dance for the audience. The family said he sang and danced almost before he walked.
“He just does it naturally,” his mother said. “We’re really proud of him. He gives 100 percent.”
Desirae urged students to let their talents shine in their lives.
“All of you have gifts,” she said. She added those gifts may be in crafts, basketball, medical or other areas. “It’s important to know when you’re young of what is your purpose.”
Day thanked the students for their attention and enthusiasm. “We love what we do and that our children are learning the ways that will get passed down.”
He shared that he visited some of his relatives while in Poplar. Some of his relatives in the area aren’t doing as well as possible, and everybody should remember that others are worse off than themselves.
“As Indian people, we’re taught to love one another and think of one another,” Day said. “Things will get better as long as you have faith.”
