2016
Osiyo Citizens and Friends!
WOW, what a great day we had at the Warsaw Heritage Days Celebration!
We would like to thank the Committee for inviting us to participate in their event.
Chief and I would also like to say many WADO"s to our Citizens who helped, Singing Dove, Black Turkey, Grandmother Dove, Silver Cat and Jeff,
Wadaduga and Blue Otter, and Tiger Willow. Wado to Buffalo Sister for bringing her Mom and aunt by and visiting with us.
Special WaDo for White Crow and Waya the Wolf, who the children love.
Also for all the visitors who stopped by and stayed and listened to our Chief, learning something about our history, who we are and where we come from.
The steady stream of people started at 8:00 am and lasted till 4 pm on Saturday, September 15, with many saying they came to see " those Cherokee's" We gave talks on history, medicine, culture, and instructions on blow guns, atlatles, bows and arrows and of course stick ball.
We were also entertained by a give from Creator, a wild tarantula who dropped out of the tree and prowled our tables and became the star of the show! Once again we cannot thank everyone enough for making this a success for all.
WaDo
Chief Kenn Grey Elk and Busy Red Bird.
WOW, what a great day we had at the Warsaw Heritage Days Celebration!
We would like to thank the Committee for inviting us to participate in their event.
Chief and I would also like to say many WADO"s to our Citizens who helped, Singing Dove, Black Turkey, Grandmother Dove, Silver Cat and Jeff,
Wadaduga and Blue Otter, and Tiger Willow. Wado to Buffalo Sister for bringing her Mom and aunt by and visiting with us.
Special WaDo for White Crow and Waya the Wolf, who the children love.
Also for all the visitors who stopped by and stayed and listened to our Chief, learning something about our history, who we are and where we come from.
The steady stream of people started at 8:00 am and lasted till 4 pm on Saturday, September 15, with many saying they came to see " those Cherokee's" We gave talks on history, medicine, culture, and instructions on blow guns, atlatles, bows and arrows and of course stick ball.
We were also entertained by a give from Creator, a wild tarantula who dropped out of the tree and prowled our tables and became the star of the show! Once again we cannot thank everyone enough for making this a success for all.
WaDo
Chief Kenn Grey Elk and Busy Red Bird.
Chief Grey Elk shared stories
and the history of Northern Cherokee Nation
and the history of Northern Cherokee Nation
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Wampum Belt
Made by Gary "Big Standing Bear" Raymo Click here to learn some of the history of the Wampum Belt. |
On Saturday, September 15, my husband, Black Turkey, and I attended the Warsaw Heritage Festival in Warsaw, Missouri with a few citizens from our tribe, the Northern Cherokee Nation. We dressed in regalia and brought items to display and use for educational purposes. As we begin to get set up, I could not have imagined the education I was about to receive.
We had been there about an hour when a lady, who was standing and listening as Chief Kenn Grey Elk DesCombes spoke about our great Nation and some of our history, began to jump up and down and give a little shout out. As it turns out, a creature of Mother Nature had dropped in out of the trees to visit us, the Missouri tarantula. He bounced off this poor lady’s head and shoulders to land on the ground. Chief Grey Elk walked around the display table and began to coax the spider out of the way so no one would step on him and squash him. The lady who had been used as a trampoline was not too happy about the spider and as the spider is moving across the ground, a wind came up and blew a leaf across the lady’s foot. She attempted to climb on top of Chief Grey Elk and let out a curdled scream that could be heard for miles. As Chief Grey Elk is coaxing the spider, he began to climb up the pants of Chief Grey Elk and onto his ribbon shirt. Chief Grey Elk calmly walked over to the display table and allowed the spider to crawl onto the fur covering the table. The spider walked over to one of the fans on display and curled up like he belonged there. Chief Grey Elk then began to explain to people that there have been tarantulas in Missouri for a long time and that they are basically harmless. The bite would cause no more harm than a red hornet or black wasp. He showed everyone how calm the spider was by petting him and handling him in a way that the spider was completely calm.
Grandmother Dove said that we should call him “George” and it stuck. So, George sat on the table for all to see most of the day. Ann Busy Redbird DesCombes took a picture of George and posted it on our NCN Facebook page. As people would show up, they would say they had come to see the spider after seeing him on Facebook. People wanted pictures of George on the table, in people’s hands and on their arms. At one point, it seemed that people were more interested in George and how he came to visit us than learning the history and culture of NCN. Chief Grey Elk put George up a tree after a few hours sitting on the table. George climbed to the top of the tree and all thought that he was gone. After a time, George was crawling up on the display table again. So, he stayed for a few more hours on the display table being petted and photographed.
This was our first year representing the tribe at this event and I feel like it was a learning experience for all involved. One thing that sticks out in my mind is the number of people who come through to check us out. I want to say there were thousands but I am not really sure. We were told that they sold almost 7500 wrist bands last year for the whole weekend and I want to say there were more people this year.
Chief Grey Elk did an awesome job educating. He spoke about the Northern Cherokee Nation history and how we came to be in Missouri. He spoke about Dragging Canoe and how we are labeled Chicamaugua, because of those who lived along the Chicamaugua river in Tennessee before crossing the Big Muddy, (Mississippi), into Missouri. He explained all of the items that were on display and gave the same stories all day long so that each crowd got the same information. He would go through each item and then he would start over with a great stamina most people could not match. Chief Grey Elk explained the atlatl. He demonstrated how to hold it and how it is used. He gave an example of what types of animals were killed and the distance in which this weapon could be used. Next he would discuss what he called the “skull cracker”. There were three or four “skull crackers” for people to handle and examine.
Chief Grey Elk explained that way back before black powder, the Cherokee had wars among themselves and with other tribes. It must have been short in time and bloody because of the weapons that were used. While speaking about the weapons, Chief Grey Elk included the game of stick ball. He explained that when one clan or tribe would steal a woman from the other then one of two things would happen. There would either be a war or there would be a game of stick ball. With the game of stick ball, there are basically no rules. There were ten to thirty players representing each side. Before the game would begin, the holy men would scrape the skins of the players until they bled making them slick and difficult to hold onto. The game included a ball that they would throw to each other and attempt to score points. The object was to score points or keep the other team from scoring points. This was known as the bloodiest, most dangerous sport ever played because both sides would generally have many injuries and sometimes dead players. The game was over when there were no players left on one side to defend the scoring. Then, the woman either stayed with the side that had stolen her in the first place because they won the game or she was returned back to her home. Either way, it was done. There was no more discussion about it and the matter was settled according to all involved. Chief Grey Elk believes we now have stick ball only in the form of LaCrosse.
Chief Grey Elk spoke about how ancient Cherokees hunted for food and hides. He displayed the bow and arrow, blow gun, and arrowheads used. He also showed the crowd how to flint knap so as to make an arrowhead used for the end of the arrows and spears. Most of the arrowheads people find now were actually used for spears because of their size. He said the bow he had on display was made from hickory tree and it had about 50 pounds of pressure. A deer or small animal such as rabbit and squirrel were killed with this weapon.
The last thing I want to mention about the teaching of my Chief is the education he supplied about our Gourd Clan Society. Chief Grey Elk explained the history of the Gourd Clan Society and what they represent. He explained how they represent our warriors and we do a special dance each gathering to rid our warriors of the bad spirits they carry with them from battle. He used my regalia as a Gourd Clan Society member to show to the public as an example of the items worn and why they are worn during our dance. This is very important to me because I was inducted just this year to the Gourd Clan Society with the Northern Cherokee Nation. This is unusual because we are the only tribe, as far as I know, that allow women to be inducted into this Society. Chief Grey Elk’s reasoning is that if our women can fight next to the men, then they should be allowed to dance away those demons with the men. I am honored to be a part of this group of men and women, as I am not the first woman to be inducted, and I am thankful that Creator allows us to send our demons up to be rid of.
I am thankful to have been a part of such an event and can only pray to the Creator that my Chief touched the lives of those who were listening in such a way to open the eyes of those who would not approve of our actions. I want to mention that Chief Grey Elk was not the only educator there yesterday representing our tribe. Kathy “Silver Cat” taught the children a couple of Cherokee songs and also would help us sing as we learned to drum. Jeff Milam, Lee “Black Turkey”, Mitzi “Wadaduga” and I learned some basic drumming techniques from Chief Grey Elk. Daniel “White Crow” brought Waya to get to know the kids and people. Daniel is also a great educator to the public as he has done this for years. Waya educates the public by showing how graceful and gentle a wolf can be if treated properly.
A great big Wado to all our citizens who showed up to represent our great Nation. I am so happy that you were able to attend and show off some of our regalia. I want to add that I am very happy with how we were received by the public in Warsaw. We were welcomed and made to feel at home. The people were very nice to us and I look forward to going back next year.
By Jenni “Singing Dove” Strickler
We had been there about an hour when a lady, who was standing and listening as Chief Kenn Grey Elk DesCombes spoke about our great Nation and some of our history, began to jump up and down and give a little shout out. As it turns out, a creature of Mother Nature had dropped in out of the trees to visit us, the Missouri tarantula. He bounced off this poor lady’s head and shoulders to land on the ground. Chief Grey Elk walked around the display table and began to coax the spider out of the way so no one would step on him and squash him. The lady who had been used as a trampoline was not too happy about the spider and as the spider is moving across the ground, a wind came up and blew a leaf across the lady’s foot. She attempted to climb on top of Chief Grey Elk and let out a curdled scream that could be heard for miles. As Chief Grey Elk is coaxing the spider, he began to climb up the pants of Chief Grey Elk and onto his ribbon shirt. Chief Grey Elk calmly walked over to the display table and allowed the spider to crawl onto the fur covering the table. The spider walked over to one of the fans on display and curled up like he belonged there. Chief Grey Elk then began to explain to people that there have been tarantulas in Missouri for a long time and that they are basically harmless. The bite would cause no more harm than a red hornet or black wasp. He showed everyone how calm the spider was by petting him and handling him in a way that the spider was completely calm.
Grandmother Dove said that we should call him “George” and it stuck. So, George sat on the table for all to see most of the day. Ann Busy Redbird DesCombes took a picture of George and posted it on our NCN Facebook page. As people would show up, they would say they had come to see the spider after seeing him on Facebook. People wanted pictures of George on the table, in people’s hands and on their arms. At one point, it seemed that people were more interested in George and how he came to visit us than learning the history and culture of NCN. Chief Grey Elk put George up a tree after a few hours sitting on the table. George climbed to the top of the tree and all thought that he was gone. After a time, George was crawling up on the display table again. So, he stayed for a few more hours on the display table being petted and photographed.
This was our first year representing the tribe at this event and I feel like it was a learning experience for all involved. One thing that sticks out in my mind is the number of people who come through to check us out. I want to say there were thousands but I am not really sure. We were told that they sold almost 7500 wrist bands last year for the whole weekend and I want to say there were more people this year.
Chief Grey Elk did an awesome job educating. He spoke about the Northern Cherokee Nation history and how we came to be in Missouri. He spoke about Dragging Canoe and how we are labeled Chicamaugua, because of those who lived along the Chicamaugua river in Tennessee before crossing the Big Muddy, (Mississippi), into Missouri. He explained all of the items that were on display and gave the same stories all day long so that each crowd got the same information. He would go through each item and then he would start over with a great stamina most people could not match. Chief Grey Elk explained the atlatl. He demonstrated how to hold it and how it is used. He gave an example of what types of animals were killed and the distance in which this weapon could be used. Next he would discuss what he called the “skull cracker”. There were three or four “skull crackers” for people to handle and examine.
Chief Grey Elk explained that way back before black powder, the Cherokee had wars among themselves and with other tribes. It must have been short in time and bloody because of the weapons that were used. While speaking about the weapons, Chief Grey Elk included the game of stick ball. He explained that when one clan or tribe would steal a woman from the other then one of two things would happen. There would either be a war or there would be a game of stick ball. With the game of stick ball, there are basically no rules. There were ten to thirty players representing each side. Before the game would begin, the holy men would scrape the skins of the players until they bled making them slick and difficult to hold onto. The game included a ball that they would throw to each other and attempt to score points. The object was to score points or keep the other team from scoring points. This was known as the bloodiest, most dangerous sport ever played because both sides would generally have many injuries and sometimes dead players. The game was over when there were no players left on one side to defend the scoring. Then, the woman either stayed with the side that had stolen her in the first place because they won the game or she was returned back to her home. Either way, it was done. There was no more discussion about it and the matter was settled according to all involved. Chief Grey Elk believes we now have stick ball only in the form of LaCrosse.
Chief Grey Elk spoke about how ancient Cherokees hunted for food and hides. He displayed the bow and arrow, blow gun, and arrowheads used. He also showed the crowd how to flint knap so as to make an arrowhead used for the end of the arrows and spears. Most of the arrowheads people find now were actually used for spears because of their size. He said the bow he had on display was made from hickory tree and it had about 50 pounds of pressure. A deer or small animal such as rabbit and squirrel were killed with this weapon.
The last thing I want to mention about the teaching of my Chief is the education he supplied about our Gourd Clan Society. Chief Grey Elk explained the history of the Gourd Clan Society and what they represent. He explained how they represent our warriors and we do a special dance each gathering to rid our warriors of the bad spirits they carry with them from battle. He used my regalia as a Gourd Clan Society member to show to the public as an example of the items worn and why they are worn during our dance. This is very important to me because I was inducted just this year to the Gourd Clan Society with the Northern Cherokee Nation. This is unusual because we are the only tribe, as far as I know, that allow women to be inducted into this Society. Chief Grey Elk’s reasoning is that if our women can fight next to the men, then they should be allowed to dance away those demons with the men. I am honored to be a part of this group of men and women, as I am not the first woman to be inducted, and I am thankful that Creator allows us to send our demons up to be rid of.
I am thankful to have been a part of such an event and can only pray to the Creator that my Chief touched the lives of those who were listening in such a way to open the eyes of those who would not approve of our actions. I want to mention that Chief Grey Elk was not the only educator there yesterday representing our tribe. Kathy “Silver Cat” taught the children a couple of Cherokee songs and also would help us sing as we learned to drum. Jeff Milam, Lee “Black Turkey”, Mitzi “Wadaduga” and I learned some basic drumming techniques from Chief Grey Elk. Daniel “White Crow” brought Waya to get to know the kids and people. Daniel is also a great educator to the public as he has done this for years. Waya educates the public by showing how graceful and gentle a wolf can be if treated properly.
A great big Wado to all our citizens who showed up to represent our great Nation. I am so happy that you were able to attend and show off some of our regalia. I want to add that I am very happy with how we were received by the public in Warsaw. We were welcomed and made to feel at home. The people were very nice to us and I look forward to going back next year.
By Jenni “Singing Dove” Strickler
