| |
Kansas City—Visiting
the Heart of America
| Sacred
Hoop Carriers- from the Four Directions.
Penny Postoak, Choctaw-Red Direction; Joann
Stovall-Black Direction; Nguyet Thu Ha-Yellow
Direction; Grace Littleagle-White Direction;
and the Kansas City Warriors Society Color
Guard. |
|
|
"See
you again." "Safe Journey." "See you at
the Conference in September." "We'll be in touch."
"This has been so exciting and inspiring, thank you for
coming and bringing that Sacred Hoop..."
Those
are the words we heard as we shook hands, hugged, and prepared
to leave Oklahoma City. In Indian Country there is a saying
that people should never truly say "good-bye," because
our paths will cross again. So we just waved and shouted Later!
and began the drive North to Kansas City, Missouri.
| The
Heart of America Indian Center in Kansas City had
been busy making plans for our arrival and for the Gathering
to take place July 15th and 16th. |
The
Heart of America
The Heart of America Indian Center in Kansas City had
been busy making plans for our arrival and for the Gathering
to take place July 15th and 16th. Gayl Edmunds, the Kansas
City Coordinator, gave us directions to the Pierson Community
Center. During our pre-conference planning meeting with Gayl,
his excitement and good energy immediately erased the "tired
feeling" you get from miles of traveling. We were energized
and looking forward to meeting the people of the local community.
On
the evening of July 15th over 200 People filled the
main hall of the Pierson Community Center. Pastor Richard
B. Hubbard, Spiritual Leader with the Inter-Tribal Ministries
of Kansas City, offered purification with cedar and sweetgrass
for all of those who wished to participate prior to the start
of the evening's activities. Max Noear, Ponca, was the Lead
Singer for the Drum—The Red Hawk Singers. The
Honor Songs were clear and beautiful. When Flo Noear joined
him for several songs, there was perfect harmony of male and
female voices carrying the message of healing women and children.
As the sound of the Drum's first beats filled the main hall,
the Kansas City Warriors Society Color Guard began
the procession for the Entrance of the Sacred Hoop.
| The
Sacred Hoop was brought into the Circle that first evening,
and again on the following morning, in the same way—with
great respect. |
The
Warrior Society members who carried the Staffs and Flags during
the Grand Entry of the Hoop in Kansas City were Ken Dagenett,
Miami; Al Midkiff , Oglala Lakota ; Michael Campbell, Cherokee;
Dick Porch, Choctaw; and Jerry Bry Ka, Cherokee.
The
Sacred Hoop was brought into the Circle that first evening,
and again on the following morning, in the same way—with
great respect. It was carried with a reverence for life and
with a sense of not just the local community, but with the
presence of the global community, too, as Women representing
the Four Directions—Red, Yellow, Black, and White—carried
it in.
| The
People who gathered at the Pierson Community
Center stand to show their respect during
the Honor Songs, Entrance of the Sacred Hoop,
and posting of the Flags. |
|
|
On
that first evening Don Coyhis shared the Story of the Hoop
and told of the Vision of the Coming Together Time
represented by the Sacred Hoop of 100 Eagle Feathers, wrapped
in the Four Colors. Don touched briefly on the Gatherings
that had been held around that Sacred Hoop, beginning with
the Elder's Gathering in July, 1995, through the first Journey
in 1999 to the American Indian Colleges. He then let the documentary
video take the story the rest of the way from Los Angeles,
to Washington, DC, in the Spring of 2000. Then came the opportunity
for a Talking Circle so that People could express their feelings
and connect with one another in a good way. The Circle lasted
until late in the evening.
A
Very Full Day
The Opening Ceremony on July 16th again offered an opportunity
for purification with the smoke of sacred plants—sage,
cedar, and sweetgrass. The Red Hawk Singers did a wonderful
job during Opening Ceremony, and throughout the day, for the
Entrance of the Sacred Hoop, Posting of the Flags, Honoring
of Ingrid (Flying Eagle Woman), The Traditional Dancing of
the Youth, and for the Closing Ceremony.
| The
local community created a Sacred Hoop Journey III Medallion
to be presented to the children and honored guests of
the Gathering that day. One side of the brass coin commemorates
the coming of the Sacred Hoop, and on the other side is
written part of The Prayer to the Great Spirit. |
Following
an overview by Don Coyhis of the purpose of the Journey III—Healing
Native Women and Children—the local community began their
day of speakers & activities:
Events
and Activities in Kansas City During the Visit of Hoop Journey
III
Children's Breakout Session
Dee White Eye Brook-Chippewa, Teacher
Talking
Leaves
Shelia Watts-Blackfeet
Lori Russell-Lakota (Rogue River)
Sharing
of the Sacred Way.
The Women and Elders of the local Community
gift a Sacred Hoop Journey III coin to the
Children. |
|
|
Traditional
Dancing
Haygah Noear-Tohono-O'Odham, Hopi, Ponca
Sacajawea Gaines-Wyandotte, Cherokee, Shawnee, Delaware, Peorie
Traditional
Native Feast—Heart of America Indian Center
Pam Slade-Cherokee
Justin P. Orr-Cowlitz
Butch Nelson-Standing Rock Sioux
Gayl Edmunds-Sicangu Lakota
Volunteers and Supporters, including ATTC
Echoes
of Wisdom
Dr. Dee Ann DeRoin-Ioway of Kansas and SE Nebraska
Virginia Eaves-Creek of Oklahoma
Wayne Johnson-Creek
Sharing
of the Sacred Way
Children/Youth/ and Women Elders
| Sacred
Hoop Journey III - Medallion
Given
to the Children by the Women and Elders
during the Sharing of the Sacred Way Ceremony.
Inscribed on the opposite side of this medallion
is:
Great
Spirit - whose voice I hear in the wind,Whose
breath gives life to the world, Hear me.
I come to you as one of your many children.I
am small and weak. I need your strength
and wisdom. May I walk in beauty.
|
|
|
The
Sharing of the Sacred Way
The Sharing of the Sacred Way Gifting Ceremony was a highlight
of our Visit in Kansas City and a very special effort by the
People. The local community created a Sacred Hoop Journey
III Medallion to be presented to the children and honored
guests of the Gathering that day. One side of the brass coin
commemorates the coming of the Sacred Hoop, and on the other
side is written part of The Prayer to the Great Spirit.
During
the Closing Ceremony, after we had an opportunity to offer
tobacco and prayers into the Sacred Hoop, the People gathered
into a large Circle. Pastor Hubbard offered a Closing Prayer
asking Creator to bless this Community and the Journey of
the Sacred Hoop as the healing continues throughout the land.
| During
the Closing Ceremony, all of those who chose
to do so were invited to offer their prayers
using the tobacco provided. Some use their
own Medicine. These prayers then travel from
community to community throughout this Journey
of the Sacred Hoop.
|
|
|
Thanks
From White Bison
Our thanks go out to The Heart of America Indian Center,
Hoop Journey Coordinator Gayl Edmunds, and all the volunteers
who made our Visit possible. Gayl did not hesitate to bring
in all of the people working so hard in the kitchen—the
people who served us traditional foods, such as bison roasts,
grape dumplings, and many other dishes during this Gathering.
The American Indian Council members and volunteers were there
for any and every job that needed to be done. And the ATTC
(Addiction Technology Transfer Center), which had been so
supportive and helpful in Oklahoma City, continued their tremendous
spirit of support for the Native American Communities at this
event. The ATTC Youth Project was also a supportive partner
of the Heart of America Indian Center and this Wellbriety
Conference. Gayl Edmunds and others were in the original White
Bison Firestarter Groups. The result of their efforts showed
in the depth and richness of the Wellbriety Movement in the
Kansas City Native Community.
| Our
final activity together was to join hands and enjoy a
Round Dance as the Red Hawk Singers gifted us with the
last song of this event in Kansas City. |
To
all of the organizations and volunteers who took care of everything
from registration to sweeping up, we thank you all for your
assistance and want you to know that we recognize and appreciate
all of the effort and hard work that goes on behind the scenes
to make everything so nice for the people when they are gathered
in these circles. Thanks!
| Don
Coyhis of White Bison gifts the Kansas City
Coordinator, Gayl Edmunds, with a copy of
the Children of Alcoholics video series, a
Dreamcatcher, and a Certificate of Appreciation.
|
|
|
We
had a full day of activities and sharing at the Community
Center. There was so much good information available at the
tables, from the panels as well as the speakers. The voices
of the children as they sang the songs taught to them by Dee
White Eye Brook—everything was so wonderful. It's difficult
to end a day together when it has such a good feeling. Everyone
is tired, but no one wants it to be over. Our final activity
together was to join hands and enjoy a Round Dance as the
Red Hawk Singers gifted us with the last song of this event
in Kansas City.
|
