Friday, October 14, 2011
Tori, Albert Gray Eagle, the photographer
This morning I was invited to join my friends Albert Gray Eagle and his niece Tori who went to a event called Completing the Circle which was held in Oklahoma City, OK, at Camp Dakani. This is a program for American Indian foster children and their foster parents to inform them about their culture and to give them contact information for their tribes because most of the children are in non-American Indian foster care. It’s a program program sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Children and Family Services to offer cultural and heritage resources. Photo Album from Completing the Circle.
At this event, Albert played the National Anthem on the flute while Rachel Scott, 2011 Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City Princess, who was about 8 years old performed the National Anthem in sign language. It was really heart touching to watch and listen to this joint performance.
Albert and Rachel
There were activities such as finger weaving, ribbon work, making baby moccasins, flute lessons (with flutes made and donated to each child by Tori), storytelling, and books telling stories about Native American folklore. Woodson Whitebird made some buttons with Alberts and his photo and name which were given out to the children.
There was also a basket weaving class, that not only was for the children, but adults and teens were also able to make baskets. So, of course, I made my first basket which is a small round one with stripes of purple, navy blue, and green. I will have to take a picture and upload it later on. Since the teachers already did the bottom of the baskets, it was pretty easy for everyone to weave and complete a basket in about half hour. We were all so proud of our work!
At about noon, we all had lunch which consisted of soup, fry bread, hotdogs, soda, and cupcakes. Then Albert told a story to the children and played the Native American flute for everyone. Earlier in the morning Tori and Albert gave all the children a river cane flute that Tori made and she and Albert taught them how to play Mary Had A Little Lamb on the flutes. Some of the children picked it up pretty good.
Tori giving flute lessons
I was very honored to be invited to this event and even earned a BRIGHT ORANGE t-shirt with the a Medicine Wheel graphic on the back of the shirt. Since there are two colleges in Oklahoma City, and rival colors are either orange, or crimson and cream, there were some cheers and geers about the orange t-shirts, it was all done in fun and with humor.
Woodson Whitebird who is a Cheyenne elder and Albert connected with a young Cheyenne boy who wants to learn to dance his traditional dances. So, they offered to help him with his regalia and teach him how to dance in order to keep the traditions alive.
Albert and Woodson
For dinner tonight, Albert’s sister Cathy made us the most delicious and wonderful chicken enchiladas… all from scratch, including the enchilada sauce!!! It was one of the best meals I have had in a long, long time!!!
