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| First
Lady of the State of Ohio, Hope Taft, is honored
for her work and efforts in alcohol and other drug
use treatment and prevention at the Wellbriety Day
festivities in Dayton, Ohio |
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The
Diversity of Wellbriety in Dayton
We arrived in Dayton, Ohio on May 11, just as
the last session of a three-day Firestarter Training facilitated
by Blaine "Woody" Wood was ending. The Hoop Crew was greeted
by Lori Bakara of the Medicine Wheel Healing House. Lori is
the Coordinator for this Wellbriety event in Dayton, held
on May12th at the University of Dayton.
Lori was accompanied by Woody and several other
people from the Firestarter Training. Among the group that
welcomed us were some old friends and supporters of Wellbriety—like
Ron Bryant and Vickie Whitewolf. Back in Cleveland we heard
several people tell us that the first time they opened up
and became aware of White Bison was when they attended a Dayton
Pow-Wow and met Ron Bryant at the booth he set up to share
the White Bison resources and to tell about the Journeys and
Conferences. There were also many new friends. Some we had
just met on Hoop Journey IV at previous sites—North Carolina
and Cleveland. It's wonderful to see you again!!!
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| Blaine
'Woody' Wood (front/center) is surrounded by many
of the people who attended the Firestarter Training
in Dayton. This 3-day Training ended on the day
we arrived and the Wellbriety Gathering took place
the following day. |
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We formed a caravan on the edge of the
city and were escorted to the guest house on the campus of
the University where we would be staying. When we arrived
at the guest house we were greeted by Mary Ann Angel with
the Circle of Light Initiative at the Dayton University. Mary
Ann is the Co-Coordinator for the Wellbriety Gathering. She
and several volunteers were setting up our accommodations
as well as the adjoining Guest House where the feast would
be held following the Wellbriety Event.
Manny and Melody Two Feathers and their
nephew were guests of the Coordinators as well and were staying
in the adjoining house. It felt good there. Woody joined us
in the guest house, and some of the White Bison people who
work "remotely"—i.e., away from the main White Bison office
in Colorado Springs—had an opportunity to spend time together
and learn how our hard work and efforts are inter-connected
to achieve the goals and mission of the White Bison organization.
Much goes on that is not readily apparent during a Wellbriety
Event. The work of dedicated volunteers and coordinators throughout
the years the Sacred Hoop has been on these Journeys goes
on behind the scenes. All of us are inter-connected because
we believe in the Gifts of the Hoop—Healing, Hope, Unity,
and Forgiving the Unforgivable.
Wellbriety Day in Dayton
The Entrance of the Sacred Hoop into the Kennedy Union Ballroom
of the University of Dayton was accompanied by the beat of
a hand-drum as Raymond A. Roach offered an honoring song.
The Hoop was carried by a man and three children, representing
well the Healing of Native Men and Children, focus of this
year's Journey. Following the Hoop's entry we were blessed
with a prayer delivered by Manny Two Feathers. We remained
standing as Don Coyhis, Founder of White Bison, asked that
we take the time to honor "Lori Pi." Raymond A. Roach sang
a beautiful memorial song as we stood to honor Pi and our
other veterans.
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 U.S.
Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, Hopi, is the first Native American
woman to be killed in combat as a member of the American
forces in US history. She was also the first woman in
the US military to die since World War II. She was a
single mother and leaves behind a four year-old boy
and a three year-old girl. Lori Pi, 23, a lifelong Tuba
City, Arizona resident, (Navajo Nation) was a member
of the 507th Maintenance Company based in Fort Bliss,
Texas, and was killed in an ambush near Nasiriyah, Iraq
in late March.
Raymond Maxx, her Navajo Nation
Council Delegate from Tuba City, spoke these honoring
words. "She defended the nation
and paid the ultimate price," he said. "She
brought everybody together, from Canada, east, west,
south and north. She belongs to the nation and all tribes
now."
A Memorial Fund has been created
for the Piestewa children. Those wishing to contribute
to the fund, which will be used to raise the children
and for their future educational needs, can enquire
at any Wells Fargo bank. Addresses for Wells Fargo can
be found at http://www.wellsfargo.com.
Click on the "Locations" link at http://www.wellsfargo.com/help/find_us.jhtml
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| The
Entrance of the Sacred Hoop at the University of
Dayton Kennedy Union Ballroom. |
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Following the opening ceremony, Don Coyhis was
introduced and shared the Story of the Sacred Hoop and the
Journeys and Conferences that have been a part of the sharing
of the Gifts of the Hoop since 1995.
Lori Bakara then asked Hope Taft, wife of Governor
Bob Taft of Ohio, to come to the stage. While presenting her
with a miniature of the Sacred Hoop of 100 Eagle Feathers,
Lori said to Mrs. Taft, "We honor
you on behalf of the Wellbriety Movement and the Indian Nations,
because we know the work that you do in treatment and prevention
and how strongly you support recovery. Thank you for joining
us today."
As Hope Taft accepted the token of appreciation,
there was a great deal of applause from the Dayton community
and the attendees at the event. After the applause died down
a bit, Mrs. Taft spoke in a quiet voice . "This
is a symbol of what people can do when they come together.
And they not only do something that helps the individual,
but helps the whole community. I encourage these movements
and these circles because they can help us to move forward
as a community and a nation, to a better place. Thank you."
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 First
Lady Hope Taft is a strong supporter of children growing
up drug and alcohol free and promoting positive youth
development in Ohio communities. She is a nationally
recognized figure in the fight against drug and alcohol
abuse and currently serves as:
• Advisory Commission
member for the Drug-Free Communities Support Program
• Center for Substance
Abuse Treatment's National Advisory Council member
• Co-chair of Leadership
to Keep Children Alcohol Free, and
• Governor's Spouses'
Great Start Program to reduce smoking during pregnancy.
First Lady Hope Taft serves as
the co chair of the advisory board for the President's
Commission for Drug Free Communities, along with Henry
Lozano, who also serves on the White bison Board of
Directors and is President of Californians for a Drug
Free Youth.
More about Hope Taft's work can
be found on the internet at www.hopetaft.org
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| Hope
Taft, wife of Governor Bob Taft of Ohio, is presented
with a miniature of the Sacred Hoop by Don Coyhis
of White Bison and the Coordinators of today's Wellbriety
Event. Left to Right - Don Coyhis, Hope Taft, Mary
Ann Angel and Lori K. Bakara. |
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Following the presentation to Hope Taft, Don
returned to the stage and said, "There
was a time when there wasn't any funding for Indian Alcohol
Problems. People like Bill Iron Moccasin and Ozzie Williamson
would use their own money and go around in their cars on their
own time and own money trying to help our people. Bill would
get on a bus to Washington D.C., taking his own food in his
suitcase, sleeping in a bus depot, and he would have an appointment
with a Senator or some other official there and sometimes
they would see him and sometimes they wouldn't even be there
like they said they would to meet with him. He'd get back
on the bus and ride it all the way back to South Dakota."
"Those are the Warriors
that we have to not forget, those of us who are doing this
work today. They really sacrificed a lot of their time and
their dreams. There wasn't a lot of support or awareness back
then. I have to say that because I'm just a little dot in
the universe like everyone else. Just trying to keep my Rez
Car going—got a supply of duct tape and hoping our van makes
it back. But there is an army of people that is making this
movement work. We estimate it takes nearly 700 volunteers
to make this Journey possible—and some of them you don't
ever see, they work behind the scenes. This movement would
not be possible without them."
Many, Many Thanks
Then Don continued with his presentation of the White Bison
organization and the teachings he has received from the Elders.
Following the presentation, Mr. Coyhis played part of the
documentary video Healing Native Women and Children, which
was followed by an open mic sharing. Our appreciation to all
of those who stood to share with those of us gathered in this
circle:
Julius ‘Dutch' Mader
Pam Ferguson
Ron Bryant
Alisa R. Bonecutter
Dennis Stewart, P.H.D.
Larry S. Beckner
Judy Beckner
Leon Briggs
Raymond A. Roach
Mary Ann Angel
Lawrence Anthony
Joey Hall
During our lunch break we were honored to have
Douglas Blue Feather, a Native American Music Award Winner
provide us with beautiful music. Douglas has tremendous talent
and quite a following, not just in his hometown of Dayton,
Ohio but across the country as the latest awards attest. His
way with the Native American Flute is a gift. We enjoyed our
time with you and appreciate your taking the time to come
and be with us today.
The afternoon was filled with wonderful insight
and lessons beginning with Dr. Robin Herman of the Miami Valley
Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, and the "associates" who came
with him to share his presentation, "Creating a Sense of Belonging."
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Dr.
Robin Herman (left) of the Miami Valley
Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, accompanied
by several of his "associates" who shared
teachings with us during the afternoon session.
Powerful lessons.
Thank
you to "The Doctors." We learned a great
deal.
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The
closing circle on this site of the Wellbriety
Movement. The sharing of the role of men
as protectors of their families and community
was followed by prayers.
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Also sharing during the afternoon were:
Rev. Shianne Eagleheart of the Red Bird Center
The Wounded Bear
Rudy Casias MALAC, Wilton C. ‘Cork' Bomberry
spoke on behalf of the Medicine Wheel Healing House Youth
and Addictions.
Vickie White Wolf University of Cincinnati
Professor of Native Studies "Men and Abuse Healing
the Circle"
Donna Conley Ohio Citizen Advocacy
Mary Ann Angel Professor at the University
of Dayton Circle of Light Initiative.
From the time we were greeted and welcomed at the edge of
Dayton, throughout the Wellbriety Event on the 12th and even
the day after the event, when White Bison and the Two Feathers
Family were treated to a meal by the Coordinators and were
given another escort to see us safely back on the interstate
to our next destination—from that first contact to the
last parting wave we saw in our rear view mirrors—we
were welcomed as 'family' to the Dayton Community.
Mvto megwetch wado pila miya woliwon-
a-ho many thanks.
The coordinators, volunteers, attendees and
White Bison would like to extend our appreciation to:
University of Dayton
Alumni Chair in the Humanities
The Committee for Diversity in Community
Office of Diverse Student Populations
Honors and Scholars Program
Office of Printing and Design
The Program for Christian Leadership
Office of the Provost
The Women's Center
Miami Valley Council for Native Americans
Moon over Water Catering
Vette Middleton
Richard Simonelli
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