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| Warren
Skye, Sr. (right) blessed the Sacred Hoop with an
opening prayer at the boundary of the Tonawanda
Seneca land. Foreground, Jamie Jacobs (in vest).
Pictured with the Hoop are community members as
well as participants in the local GCASA alcohol
and drug prevention after school programs. |
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The Hoop Journey visit to "Buffalo, NY"
on May 8 turned into a visit to three separate locations.
One of these is the Tonawanda Indian Nation, located about
30 miles northeast of Buffalo. The Tonawanda Seneca Indian
Community Center was not a scheduled site on the Fourth Journey
of the Sacred Hoop but we're here today because of a letter
from Deanna Homer. Deanna has been working as a prevention
worker for an alcohol and drug agency named GCASA. As part
of this work, for three years she led an after school program
with Seneca children ages 5 years through 15 years. Prior
to our arrival on the land of the Tonawanda Seneca People,
we heard from Deanna that the Daughters of Tradition Program
was being utilized in the after school program. She said,
"The boys keep asking for
a program for themselves and I am waiting for the completion
of the Sons of Tradition program."
The letter was so compelling that of course
we had to find time to bring the Sacred Hoop to the people,
the community, and especially to the children that Deanna's
letter so lovingly spoke about. It's people like Deanna and
her co-coordinators Jean Taradena and Nancy Potter, working
at the grassroots, who are the ones effecting change in their
communities—one child, one person at a time.
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| (Left
to right) Deanna Homer, Jean Taradena and Nancy
Potter shown in front of the Tonawanda Indian Community
Center. |
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There was a strong wind and rain the night before
we were to meet with community members at the boundary line
of their land. By day break the sky had cleared and the Sacred
Hoop was taken out and smudged as part of the preparation
for a Walk toward the Community Center of this Nation. Warren
Skye, Sr. arrived to say a prayer for his people in his Native
tongue. Deanna, Jean, and Nancy arrived with several children
and community members. A few men came out to serve as escorts
and to ensure the safety of the 25 people who were participating
in the Blessing Ceremony and the Walk. Thank you to the Warriors
who came out to protect and serve the children of your community.
You are an inspiration. We need more role models like you!
When we arrived at the Community Center there
was a large awning set up on the lawn. Plenty of fresh water
was made available by the organizers with the assistance and
support of businesses and community members. There were 30
community members already at the center awaiting the arrival
of the Sacred Hoop and the people who had walked with it.
They were seated in chairs underneath the tent and overflowing
out onto the lawn that surrounded the awning.
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| Chester
Mahooty honored us with a Zuni Blessing Song
when the Sacred Hoop arrived. And again he
sang a beautiful song during our closing ceremony.
Beautiful! |
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Chester Mahooty greeted the Community
Members and the Walkers. He offered the Blessing of a Zuni
Prayer Song for the Sacred Hoop and for all of us at the gathering.
After the opening prayers we heard good words from Warren
Skye Sr., Ester Sundown, Jamie Jacobs, and Valerie Staats,
coordinator of the Buffalo, NY visit. Thank you for sharing
from your hearts. Vette Middleton, Hoop Journey documenter,
shared with those present about the Four Gifts of the Sacred
Hoop and the history of the three previous Journeys, as well
as the programs and resources of White Bison. Nancy Potter
created a presentation of White Bison materials used in her
work and did a wonderful job describing the purpose of the
White Bison organization to all.
Teenager Jamie Jacobs (please see the cover
photo) expressed the Hoop Journey theme of Healing Native
Men and Children with heartfelt words before the open mic
during our visit. Jamie spoke words that touched our hearts
and reminded us of what the Ancestors said about "young people
with old spirits."
"First of all, I want to thank my
family. When I was little my family taught what it meant to
be a real human being. They taught me respect. And love. So
out of respect for them, I listened to every word they told
me. I knew the strength I would need to grow up and be somebody,
to be a human being, came from them. When I was little, I
dreamed about something like this because this world is made
up of a lot more than what we see. We're all children from
the same Creator. I was always friends with, and loved everybody
no matter who they were or where they came from because we
all come from the same place. My friends are my family. Everyone
is my family. So I treated everyone with respect, as if they
were my brother or my sister, or my cousin, or any relative.
I always made sure that they were happy."
"There are a lot of things in this world
that put problems in our face so I did everything I could
to turn that around. I tried to make my family proud. I just
wanted them to know that that's who I was. There is no 'just
myself''. Whenever I pray or talk about people I never mention
just myself. Because there is not just 'me' in this worldthere's
everybody. And that's another lesson my family taught me.
So no matter where I go, I look at everyone as being a relative
in some way. It doesn't matter to me whether they're different.
To me, they're not. I hold my head high to let everyone know
that I'm their friend. Being this way, I find that no matter
where I go that is the way people treat me."
"I thank everyone who has given me the
chance to be their friend and for teaching me. For teaching
me that there's a lot more to life than feeling bad or our
troubles. I'd like to thank my family, my Grandmother, and
all of you here because all of you are my friends and my family.
I'd like to thank Creator for all of you. I hope that the
gift of UNITY will heal everyone in this world. I'd like to
thank Creator for giving me a chance and believing in me."
YES!
Tonawanda, you are richly blessed and we were
honored to bring the Sacred Hoop to your community. We, too,
are very proud of Jamie and all of the other Young People
with Old Spirits!
Our time with the Tonawanda Seneca People was
brief, but with great impact on the White Bison Hoop Journey
Crew as well as the community members who were present. We
were very honored to spend this time with you today. Thank
you for welcoming us into your hearts and into to your community
in such a good way. It is wonderful to hear about the Firestarter
Circle, the Daughters of Tradition program, and the desire
for Sons of Tradition and other resources. We'll stay in touch!
Vette Middleton
Richard Simonelli
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