JD Oberklein Was Making Bustles Before You Were Born

By Hank Brightwell

Let’s allow our minds to drift back to the 1960s and imagine what life was like for our camp family during this decade of vast social change. Those of us born in the mid-20th century surely recall the decade, and for you millennials, with modern history being a footnote at most schools, Google the ‘60s and follow along!

While the world was in upheaval, John Holden’s home on Salem Avenue in Cincinnati was a sanctuary for the young men of the Wasaka Boys Club. Virtually every weekday afternoon in the offseason, campers would gather at Holden’s to share stories, practice Witch’s Broom Ride and, under the leadership of a young staff man named JD Oberklein, make and repair Native American bustles and other regalia.

JD is pictured dancing in a 1956 Kooch-i-ching catalog.

Those of us from Cincinnati know of JD’s devotion to camp. His efforts, however, have mostly gone unnoticed until now, so for those who don’t know JD—and you millennials—here’s another history lesson.

Founded by Kooch-i-ching staff man Jim Stone in 1939, the Wasawka Boys Club was run by John Holden from 1953 to 1968. An 8-year-old JD Oberklein joined Wasaka in 1951 and immediately became enamored with the Indian dancing and crafts program. When he attended Kooch-i-ching for the first time in 1956, he had already developed a powerful dancing style under the tutelage of Holden, Bernard Mason and John Grate.

During this time, Wasaka’s best Indian dancers were invited to perform for schools and organizations in Cincinnati. JD humbly proclaims that he and Ralph Patterson were the best young dancers in the troupe, in league with the likes of Les Meek, Tim Heinle, Bill Huenefeld, Tom Morgan, Bob Micknal and Fred Patterson.

At Kooch-i-ching, JD went on to become an Incense Bearer, a Torch Bearer and, eventually, co-head of the Indian Dancing department, where he worked alongside Bob Meek, Ralph Patterson and Dave Knoll, among others. He taught illustrious advanced dancers such as John Jolly, Hugh Haller and yours truly, and inspired less talented dancers like Steve Eha, Tom Pund, John Wildman and Chip Howard.

A staff man ties bells on a Junior camper wearing Incense Bearer bustles made by JD. (Kate Downey)

In 1969, JD took over Wasaka from Holden and ran it until 1975. As director, he emphasized the Native American program to his campers, many of whom followed him to Deer Island in the summer. JD was also on staff at the Kee-Way-Din Ski Club, another offseason outgrowth of Kooch-i-ching. Unfortunately, JD’s skills in the Council Ring did not transfer to the slopes.

JD completed his first set of bustles in fifth grade, and his second set in ninth grade. Since 2009, he has completed 23 full sets.

“John Jolly told me in 2009 that camp had only enough bustle sets to outfit 37 dancers, and that what they had was not in good shape,” JD says. “I remember how proud the dancers in the Junior Camp were to wear a compete set in lieu of only a back bustle. So I started making bustles so that more of the campers could proudly wear a complete set.”

Each set of bustles requires between 35 and 40 hours of labor, and JD uses only the finest and most authentic feathers, fluffs and other materials. Many of these sets are dedicated to our distinguished traditions and alumni, and all are reserved for Kooch-i-ching’s most deserving dancers.

Staff dancers perform the Chippewa Scalp Dance wearing bustles made by JD and Ralph Patterson. (Phary Woods)

Recent examples have been made in honor of Wasaka, the Incense Bearers, living legend John Grate and “elders” who have passed away: Tim Heinle, Gordon Greene, David Knoll and Richard Haller.

JD has also conducted several bustle-making clinics in order to pass along this dying art form. Past participants include Quinn Pinaire, Alex Harrison, JR Verkamp, Phary Woods, Linda Brightwell, Hugh Haller and Ralph Patterson. Quinn, who runs Kooch-i-ching’s Native American program, has been teaching bustle-making to campers for the past few years.

Whether we dance or not, and whatever our affiliation with camp, we owe JD Oberklein a heartfelt thanks. He has dedicated years to preserving our unique Native American traditions and teaching young men at Wasaka and Kooch-i-ching.

These “acts of unbargaining service” epitomize the values we hold dear, and have inspired countless others to always seek the joy of being alive!

This article was originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of the Alumni Newsletter.