As a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow, I find the information that Nicolai Brown put forth to the community as inaccurate and demoralizing to members of our Order.

I can confidently say that the majority of the brothers who attended did not act in the manner as set forth by Mr. Brown. Iowa State is all college students, yet they had riots at Veishea last year.

Does that mean all of Iowa State’s students were involved in the riots?

The statement that I found most offensive though was Brown’s quote, “The image of white boy scouts walking around campus in brightly colored, mass-produced Native American garb.” The Order has been studying and practicing many Native American traditions since its founding in 1915. As a member of the Order, I have taken part in Native American styles of dancing. The bright colors are the same that many tribes use in the dances themselves, and our regalia is not mass produced.

I spent literally hundreds of hours making my regalia and learning the proper techniques of Native American dancing. My porky quill roach itself took nearly 36 hours of careful work and precision to make sure it was of the quality to wear with pride. I have danced in Order of the Arrow Powwows, but more importantly I have danced in Tribal Powwows all over this country with no problems.

As far as homosexuality in the Boy Scouts, the BSA doesn’t discriminate against homosexual youth wanting to take part in the program. The only measures that are taken are with adult leaders. This is for the safety and well being of the youth taking part in events and activities, and as a private organization they have the right to do so.

Overall, the youth involved in the Order of the Arrow are among the best youth leaders we have in this country, and slanderous and stereotypical statements like those made by Mr. Brown are not appreciated by our members.

Stephen Lusch

Freshman

Pre-Business