Printer-Friendly Version (pdf) of Wellbriety! Special Edition: Issue#15

An Outpouring of Healing in Oklahoma

Welcome to the Wellbriety House of the Citizen Band Potawatomi in Shawnee Oklahoma! The Hoop Carriers are Chris Martin, Wes Tingler, Willie D. Shannon, Sr., and Arthur G. Cody Jr. Following the Hoop Carriers are members of the local Community.

We packed up the Hoop Journey Van on the morning of July 11th and drove northward to Oklahoma. The main event of the next Visit was scheduled for July 12th and 13th in Oklahoma City at the Rose State College. The agenda at the College looked full and exciting.

But some days prior to our arrival we had also received another flyer with a neatly typed agenda:

JOURNEY of the SACRED HOOP
The Healing of a Nation
Dinner and Recognition Gathering
Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) Pow Wow Grounds
Shawnee, Oklahoma - July 11th

The Flyer said, "Arrival 5 PM at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Wellbriety House." We wanted to frame that flyer! We wanted to get it autographed by the people of CPN who helped organize the Wellbriety House and the Wellbriety Pow Wow held here during National Recovery Month last September, 2001. The Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps is much more than a Program here in Shawnee at the Wellbriety House—it's a way of life.

Kim Tunnell, Oklahoma City Coordinator for the Hoop Journey Visit, shows the way as Walkers from the Wellbriety House carry the Sacred Hoop toward the Potawatomi Round House for the July 11th Gathering. Preparing for a Ceremony to Honor the Four Directions at the Round House.

Wellbriety House to Round House
After a brief visit inside the Wellbriety House, Don Coyhis spoke to all of us gathered outside on the porch and scattered across the lawn about the Sacred Hoop. Don then offered the cleansing smoke from the smudge pot to the four people who were chosen to carry the Sacred Hoop on the walk from the Wellbriety House to the CPN Pow Wow Grounds and then to Round House a mile or so down the road. Many of the forty people who were gathered at the Wellbriety House also chose to Walk with the Hoop. They fell into line behind the Carriers of the Sacred Hoop and the procession began. Walking past corn fields and down the main road, they arrived at the Round House just as those who drove over had settled in to greet them.

We were greeted at the Round House by the Chairman of the Potawatomi Nation, Rocky Barrett. It was wonderful to witness Servant Leadership in action as this Tribal Chairman spoke to the crowd of 100 people who gathered into this Circle in Shawnee. The evening's activities at the Round House included Honor Songs from Sizzor Tail Singers Marty Thurman, Steve Byington, and Colton Haney. Mark Ketterman was our Emcee and did an excellent job of facilitating the Honoring of the Four Directions.

Daughters of Tradition Candi Miles, Kecia Byrd, Brandi Orange, and Angie Racelis carry the Sacred Hoop during the entrance at Rose State College on July 13th. The silhouette of Brandy Jo was carried by Nikki Frye. LUNCH at Rose State College. D.J. Battiest, Flutist, played as we enjoyed our meal. He was Followed by Alicia Gonzales, who shared with us the Kiowa Language and Culture.

Max Grayson, Ray Tainpeah, and Kim Tunnell made introductions of White Bison and the Sacred Hoop as well as the many volunteers who not only made this evening such a success, but would also continue this support during the next two days of the Wellbriety Conference in Oklahoma City. Kim offered special appreciation to the ATTC—the Addition Technology Transfer Center—funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). From the creation and printing of the conference brochures, to the overall participation and support, we all extend our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

After a wonderful evening of songs, prayers, and sharing of a delicious meal, we drove off into the night toward Oklahoma City. The walkie-talkies that we use to communicate between the vehicles were buzzing with excitement about this evening and the anticipation of tomorrow's gathering.

Two Days at Rose State College
Next morning, July 12th, we arrived at Rose State College and were greeted at the registration desk by young women wearing Daughters of Tradition shirts. Just when you think it can't get any better, our future generation is welcoming us to the Wellbriety Conference! Seeing them was like that new day of hope feeling you get when you greet the first streams of light at sunrise. Daughters of Tradition carried the Sacred Hoop during the Opening Ceremony on July 13th.

Seated with Forrest Walker on the Drum were his Sister's two Grandsons, Christian A. Tiger and Colton Haney. Their young voices and the way that Forrest gives youth a voice on the Drum was inspiring to everyone. Hoop Carriers on the first day of this Conference were Janet Smith, Leon W. Kaskuske Sr., Samuel Fish, and Tiffany Bull Coming. Also walking with the Hoop on the first day were Elissa Holder, Caley Holder, Marissa, Holder, Kayley Wade and Dava Beartrack. These young women are known as 'Kitikiti'sh' (Little Sisters). They inspired the 250 people who attended this Conference with a beautiful rendition of the Lord's Prayer in American Indian Sign Language.

During a luncheon provided for the Conference attendees we enjoyed beautiful flute music and were also enlightened and entertained by the stories shared of the Kiowa culture and language. During both days of the Visit in Oklahoma City there were opportunities to attend workshops facilitated by women. The workshops included something for everyone so it was difficult to choose. Here's why:

Learning Opportunities in Oklahoma City Workshops Held July 12 and 13th

Wellbriety In Indian Country
Smudging Ceremony
Shirley Arkeeketa Cozad — Wichita Com. Health
Linda Poolaw — Delaware Elder

Youth Workshops
Teen Line — Girl Power
Julie Geddes

Healing Through Art
Dana Tiger — Artist

Empowering our Youth
Paulette Tall Chief — UNITY

Women in Recovery
Kim Sam — Potawatomie Behavioral Health

Life as a Native Woman
Jokay Dowell — Artist and Activist

Talking Stick
Janet Smith — Jack Brown Treatment Center

Daughters of Tradition
Don Coyhis — White Bison

Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps
Connie Falleaf — White Bison

Healing our Native Men
Miller Redcherries

Daughters of Tradition with Dana Tiger (back row), the Oklahoma Artist who created the artwork that graces not only their tee shirts, but all of the products and teaching tools that are associated with this White Bison program for young women. Left to Right. Forrest Walker, Don, Ali El Issa, Dana Tiger behind Ali, and Sonny to the right holding the print Dana gave to them. Ingrid is Pictured to far right. Ali is the husband of Ingrid Washinawatok El Issa, and Maekiw El-Issa is her son. They came to Oklahoma City to honor their wife and mother and to share her heroic life with the Wellbriety Movement.

Friends and Healing Programs
There were so many opportunities to greet old White Bison and Journey I and II friends and to make many new friends and partners during this gathering. Many people stopped by the White Bison product table in order to find out more information about the Daughters of Tradition Program and other Wellbriety tools and resources. They were excited about the one hundred kits of the Daughters of Tradition Program that were distributed during a workshop presented by Don Coyhis. They were also anxious to know more about the Program and the new tools that were to soon be made available to the Daughters and the Facilitators.

These include videos entitled, How to hold a Talking Circle; The Eight Gifts of the Circle; "The Cycle of Life," and Self Talk. The sheets to sign up for information and products related to the Daughters of Tradition Program, The Red Road to Wellbriety Book, and the other programs and products offered by White Bison were quickly filled. It was an awesome sight to see the people with their Healing of a Nation videos and all of the talk about the Wellbriety Movement. And to cap off a wonderful offering of healing resources, it was revealed that plans will be announced for a National Daughters of Tradition, Women Elders, and Role Models Conference to be held in Oklahoma City in 2003!

Honoring Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa
We were honored to have the husband and son of Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa—Flying Eagle Woman—come to Oklahoma City to join us for this Honoring of Women. Ali El-Issa and his son Maekiw El-Issa shared Ingrid's work and life with the people gathered in the gym of Rose State College. (Please see Issue # 3 of this Special Edition of Wellbriety Magazine for more information about Ingrid). A quote from Ingrid that appears in the Flying Eagle Woman Fund Newsletter given to us by Ali speaks volumes about the life of this role model. Ingrid says, "Ultimate peace lies in all of us working together, to make things better for future generations. Unlock the silence, let us speak to the world."

Oklahoma Artist Dana tiger presented Ali and Maekiw with a framed print of the Women who Carry the Sacred Hoop artwork which Dana dedicated to this Journey III for Healing Native Women and Children. Thank you Ali and Maekiw for sharing Ingrid with the world. And thank you for coming to Oklahoma so that we could share in honoring the life and work of a beautiful, strong Native American Woman.

Honoring the Women of the Four Directions. Don Coyhis (left) and the Circle of 23 Women who were being honored, and honoring other women in their lives.

Twenty-Three Women, Twenty-Three Eagle Feathers
Don Coyhis shared the Story of the Sacred Hoop and the purpose of this Third Journey from the time we arrived at the Wellbriety House in Shawnee, Oklahoma, throughout the two days we were at Rose State College in Oklahoma City. We watched the documentary video, Healing of a Nation and much healing came from the Talking Circle that followed. On the last day of the Conference, Don created an opportunity for us to Honor the Women of the Four Directions.

To begin this Ceremony he said, "If you know a woman who has contributed to the well being of her Family, Community, and Nation by being one of those role-models for wellness and healing, then come up here to the microphone and tell us about this woman. And if that woman is here, I'd like for that woman to go and sit in that circle of chairs in the middle of the room. If that woman is not here, then together we will find someone to represent that woman in this circle. There are many women out there, sacrificing for change in themselves and their families and communities. Many of them we've never even heard of: Grandmas and Daughters. Aunties and Neighbors. The unsung heroes. That is who we want to Honor in this Circle today. Those are the ones who we want to hold up in our families and communities and say 'that woman is walking in a real good way', so our daughters will see that woman and want to be like them."

One by one the people came up to name the women they wanted to honor. They named daughters who were raising foster children. They sang the praises of women who were teachers in their lives. They talked about the way our women have held our families and communities together in the dark times of our spirits and this journey. When all of the twenty-three chairs were filled, the Drum began to sing an Honor Song. Just outside the circle of women was a small table covered with red cloth. Don first smudged the circle, and then pulled back the red cloth to reveal twenty-three Eagle Feathers. One by one Don smudged each Feather, and one by one the Feathers were carried by a Grandmother to each of the women and presented to them. Daughters - Aunties - Sisters - Mothers - Grandmothers - Friends - Wives. There were twenty-three Women seated in the circle that day, but this Ceremony was not just about these twenty-three women or this one day in Oklahoma City. This Ceremony was to Honor the Women of the Four Directions: Women Warriors. Life Givers. The Unsung Heroes in our Families, Communities, and Nations.

Strength and Heart in Oklahoma
Our Stop in Oklahoma was such a sharing of strength, hope, and good feelings. From the surprise visit to the Potawatomi Nation, to the powerful workshops at Rose State College, to the presence of Ali and Maekiw El Issa, and finally, to the Honoring Ceremony of twenty-three deserving women—we can only say thank you Oklahoma. Thank you Oklahoma for believing in Wellbriety and following our traditional ways. And thank you for believing in the children.