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The
Yarn Exercise shows the old traditional ways where men
form a protective circle around the women and children.
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The Lincoln Park Community Center in Rockville,
Maryland, a neighborhood close to Washington, was the location
for our next stop on this Journey. Over 150 people joined
us to celebrate Wellbriety on a sunny day in the land of cherry
blossoms. Every visit on a Hoop Journey is different because
every community we stop at is different. The DC Indian community
is one peopled by Natives who work in the many government
agencies that serve Indian interests across the country. There
were people from some of the local tribes also present at
the Wellbriety Day gathering.
Don Coyhis shared the Gifts
of the Sacred Hoop and highlights of the Journeys of the Wellbriety
Movement. There was a video presentation of "Healing
Native Women and Children"— the 2002 Journey West
of the Mississippi. That's the way our Journey visits always
start. The Gifts of the Hoop seem to manifest and wind like
a spiritual thread thru the tapestry of an agenda or gathering.
As the day progressed, it became clear that the gift that
would touch us and help us to heal today was UNITY. We came
together from all nations, genders, ages, and job descriptions
to share a common desire. To focus on the Healing of our Men
and Children.
| "In
the old Ways, and in the new Ways that are now coming
again, Native men form a protective circle around the
community. They can do this once they are connected in
their own positive warrior's circle of men." |
The DC Hoop Journey visit
offered a half-day of ceremony, good eating, and panel discussions,
followed by another half day of powwow, more ceremony and
more feasting. The government agencies, people and tribes
represented include:
- Duane Birdbear (Hidatsa/Mandan) BIA Division
of Tribal Government
- Chet Eagleman, (Assiniboine), BIA Division
of Human services
- Walter Lamar (Blackfeet/Wichita), BIA Office
of Law Enforcement
- Dalton Henry (Choctaw) BIA Office of Indian
Education Programs
- Amos Goodfox (Pawnee/Osage), DoEd Office
of Indian Education
- Roger Iron Cloud (Oglala Sioux), Indian Headstart
Program, ACF
- Kenneth Ryan (Assiniboine), ANA
- Daniel Echohawk (Pawnee/Otoe), IHS Div. of
Health Professionals Support
- Frank Canizales (Miwak), IHS Behavioral
Health Program
- Jim Cussen, Director, National Indian Urban
Program
- Anselem Davis, (Navajo) National Science
Foundation
Hoop Journey IV is about healing our men and
children. But the way to healing Native men and children is
to have the men connect as a men's circle. Then they can welcome
the community into their own sacred strength and wellness.
The yarn circle at the close of the powwow brought this home
to everybody present in such a moving way.
The men formed a circle around the Sacred Hoop.
The women and children then circled up on the outside of the
men's circle. One man was given a ball of yellow yarn. Holding
one end of the yarn, he threw the ball to another man. Then
that man held onto the yarn and threw the ball to still another
member of the circle. Round and around the ball of yarn flew
until every man was connected in the spiderweb of yellow.
They could all feel their connectedness in this men's circle.
If one man pulled on his piece of yarn, another could feel
it. If still another backed up a few steps, everybody could
feel it through the pull in the yarn. So the men felt their
interconnectedness as men in the circle.
When each man knew his place in the circle of
men, Don Coyhis then gave the instruction for the men to all
raise the spider web up high. He asked the women and children
to enter the web and take their places. When the men lowered
the yarn the picture was complete. In the old Ways, and in
the new Ways that are now coming again, Native men form a
protective circle around the community. They can do this once
they are connected in their own positive warrior's circle
of men. What a visual, tactile, and feeling way to learn about
Healing Men and Children.
Our appreciation is extended to the coordinators,
the community members, and the many representatives of government
agencies and departments whose presence and participation
demonstrated their united desire for Wellbriety. From the
welcoming introduction by Jerry Gidner, Chief of Staff to
Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, to the honored speakers
and panelists, and to the volunteers who served us the wonderful
feast, it was all noticed and appreciated not only by White
Bison, but by all of those who were fortunate to join together
for this day of celebration and healing.
White Bison is especially grateful for the help
of Daphne Berwalk, Alberta Joseph and Dr. Velma Mason of the
BIA as coordinators of the Hoop Journey visit to Washington,
DC. Without their commitment the visit would not have been
possible.
Vette Middleton
Richard Simonelli
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Hoop
Carriers Rico Newman, M. Savoy, Jamil Newman, and Linda
Proctor prepare to enter the Lincoln Park Community
Center in Rockville, MD to begin Wellbriety Day on the
Washington, DC visit of Hoop Journey IV
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Clarence
and J. Standsblack
Clarance
Standsblack said, "I talk to my child—sing to her—play
the flute for her while she is in the womb. My thoughts
go on and on about what I want to say to her. My wishes
are endless and simple: 'Don't forget who you are when
the circle and the Drums call'."
Healing
Native Men and Children—Healing the People.
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Wellbriety
Pow-Wow Grand Entry
Dancing
at the powwow during the Washington, DC Wellbriety Day
in Rockville, MD
(Left
to Right) Head Dancer - Jay Hill White Bison Founder
Don Coyhis MC - Mel Whitebird
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