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Minneapolis Minnesota—Traditional Women's Roles and Responsibilities
| Mercedes'
dance was a gift to the Hoop and an inspiration to all
of us as we watched our future honor the Ancestors. |
The
Minneapolis American Indian Center has an active Youth
Group led by caring adults and supported by members of the
local community. This Youth Program is named Ginew Golden
Eagle, and the young people were there both days of the
Wellbriety Conference, helping out and listening to the words
of their Elders.
The
mission of the Youth program is To help American Indian
Youth strengthen and develop life skills which will give them
the knowledge to make healthy choices. White Bison would
like to commend the program directors, parents,
community, sponsors and the youth in this program. Keep doing
what you're doing! It's working!
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| Natives
Inc. Drum Group
sings Flag Song and Honor Song as the Veteran, Charlie
Johnson and the Hoop Carriers circle the gymnasium
with the Sacred Hoop. |
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This
was a perfect location for the Daughters of Tradition Program
and other teaching tools such as the Children of Alcoholics
Video Series. And many people said, "When are
you going to come out with a program for Sons of Tradition?"
We could only advise people to keep watching the website for
the latest information, or call the White Bison office. "Soon
we hope," is our reply. People stopped by the White
Bison product table, even before we got it set up on the first
day, to ask about the Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps and
the Red Road to Wellbriety Book that will be coming
out soon. The first 5,000 copies of this book will be given
away and the sign-up sheets for the book were filling quickly
as 80 people filed past the table and into the gymnasium
of the Center for the evening's activities.
A
Gift to the Hoop
Our evening in Minneapolis began as The Drum, Natives Inc,
began an Honor Song. Veteran Charlie Johnson carried the Flag
into the Gathering, followed by the people carrying the Sacred
Hoop. Colin Novach, Travis Decosi, and Jesse Big Bear sat
at the Drum as Joe Rainey, Kristina Graves, Mercedes Morris,
and Kandy Pamonicutt brought in the Hoop. Everyone stood to
honor the Flag and the Sacred Hoop of 100 Eagle Feathers as
the procession circled the entire room before placing the
Hoop on the Stand. The beat of the Drum echoed throughout
the gymnasium.
Mercedes
Morris is the young girl in the yellow jingle dress that you
see in the picture, barely able to reach high enough to 'carry
the hoop.' But after the Hoop was set on the stand she began
to dance as the Drum continued to sing. Mercedes' dance was
a "gift to the Hoop" and an inspiration to all of
us as we watched our future honor the Ancestors.
| Unknown
to us at the time was the fact that one of Ingrid's cousins
and another woman who was a childhood friend of Ingrid's
were in the audience. They came up to us afterward to
tell us how much the words and the song meant to them. |
Hope
Flanagan was the Emcee for this Wellbriety Conference and
she introduced Don Coyhis and the White Bison Staff. Following
the introduction, Don shared with all of those gathered about
the Story of the Sacred Hoop and the purpose of White Bison.
He also told the story of Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa and
the Drum followed his story with an Honor Song for this fallen
warrior. Unknown to us at the time was the fact that one of
Ingrid's cousins and another woman who was a childhood friend
of Ingrid's were in the audience. They came up to us afterward
to tell us how much the words and the song meant to them.
Not just that we would honor Ingrid, but that we would honor
a woman as a warrior—a peacemaker—an agent of change.
Ingrid's husband shared with us that he once asked his wife,
"Ingrid, what will happen to your work if something
happens to you?" And that Ingrid had quickly replied,
"Oh, my Spirit will continue after my body is gone."
Ingrid was right. Her spirit continues to touch lives.
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| Hoop
Carriers on the evening of July 19 include Joe Rainey,
Kristina Graves, Mercedes Morris, and Kandy Pamonicutt.
as well as Mercedes Morris in her Jingle Dress,
at eye level with the Hoop, encircled by the adults.
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Don
told the story of Hoop Journey I and let the video conclude
with the Story of Hoop Journey II—The Wiping of the Tears.
After the video, all those who chose moved the chairs around
to create a circle and began to share with one another in
this Sacred Talking Circle until late into the evening. The
smell of sage filled the gymnasium as this Medicine cleansed
the Circle.
The
Clan Mothers Speak
The following morning—July 20th —there were about
one hundred People at the Center for the Entrance of
the Sacred Hoop and the events planned for this day. Kandy
Pamonicutt, Lillian Stand, Arnold Stand, and Kristina Graves
carried the Sacred Hoop into the circle. Don Coyhis spoke
this day about some of the Teachings of the Elders and Prophecy.
| Thank
you to the Clan Mothers. You honored us and you honored
yourselves with the Teachings and Traditions you shared
with us on this day. |
A
highlight of the Hoop's Visit to Minneapolis was a panel consisting
of Doreen Day, Dorothy Sam, Agnes Wakefield, Delores Wakefield,
and Juanita Walker, which took its place at the front of the
room. These local Women spoke to us on Clan Mothers.
They began by pointing out that in their respective Tribes there
was not the exact title "Clan Mother," but there certainly
were the roles and responsibility of a Clan Mother. We heard
a clear message from these women: To be an Elder, to be a "Clan
Mother," is to be a role model. To be a woman who is responsible.
To be a nurturer to the family and the community.
The
women spoke until time for the lunch break. But it was more
than just a lunch break. Feast would be a better word
to describe the buffet set before us. And many of us could
not help but notice that the women on the Panel who were speaking
that day were "taken care of." Their food and drink
was prepared and brought to them. To do this is a sign of
respect for the women and for tradition.
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| Don
tells the story of Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa.
The Drum Group, Natives Inc., sang an honor
song for her. The spirit of the warrior continues
to live when she is remembered in a good way. |
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When
the panel reconvened after lunch, respect was one of the teachings
they stressed. Respect for self, respect for Elders, and
respect for Traditions. They spoke about personal responsibility
as well. Several stressed that responsibility is not being
taught in our families and schools as it should be—that
we are failing in our roles as parents and family when we
are not teaching responsibility. There was a question and
answer session following the last of the contributions from
the panel. And I must say, some of the questions were difficult
to answer. Yet not one of these women avoided the issues or
the questions. Thank you to the "Clan Mothers."
You honored us and you honored yourselves with the Teachings
and Traditions you shared with us on this day.
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| Emcee
Hope Flanagan (right) introduces the Women's
Panel who spoke so well on the Roles and Responsibilities
of Women in their Respective Traditions. |
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Don
Coyhis gifted Rob Stately, the Minneapolis American Indian Center
Coordinator for this Wellbriety Conference, with a bundle of
Medicine, a dreamcatcher, and a copy of the video series Children
of Alcoholics. The instruction Don gave to Rob for the video
tapes was, "If someone comes to the Center and wants
a copy, make them a copy and give it to them." Rob
nodded enthusiastically. The Center would surely do that. Rob
also made sure that all of the people who had assisted him with
the preparations for the Conference were acknowledged. From
the red, yellow, black and white balloons—gathered in ribbons
and decorating the entire Center—to the delicious meals
we enjoyed both days of the gathering. This is a community on
the path to Wellbriety. Baby-Youth-Adult-Elder, the entire cycle
of life, they were all there at the Minneapolis American Indian
Center—together—offering tobacco and other Medicines
into the Sacred Hoop, and adding their prayers for the Healing
of the Nation to continue as the Journey continues.
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| Don
Coyhis gives tokens of appreciation from White Bison
to the Minneapolis American Indian Center
Coordinator, Rob Stately. |
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Thank
you to the entire Community! Thank you for the prayers, the
food and the inspiration. And to all of you who told us about
your plans to attend the National Wellbriety Conference,
September 26th - 29th in Billings, Montana—Travel
safe! We look forward to seeing you again in Billings.
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