Wado for your patience.
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Our clan, (five of us, including three teen girls) arrived at Gabe and Emmette’s home Friday night,
as most of the guests were asleep in their tipis. We estimated sixty people at one time, over the
weekend. Chet set up our “nylon tipi” in the dark, while the girls and I absorbed the family
welcome of our honored couple in their farm kitchen. Bouts of laughing outside the window tickled
my ears from Emmette’s niece, Diana and Nancy, who were gabbing on the back deck, a favorite
area to visit, cups of coffee in hand.
Saturday dawned, unveiling the new working outhouse sculpture, several paces from our “tipi”. It
had a mirror and touch light inside, with a shelf with hand sanitizer outside, (did anyone snap a
picture of this?) September 19 was this day, Gabe’s birthday and their 6th Wedding Anniversary.
Where was my memory? This gathering was more than a meeting of the Texas Cherokee, it was
honoring Emmette and Gabe. Visitors from North Carolina, Texas and the deep South
emphasized the significance of this special gathering. I was unprepared, in my mind, not bringing
gifts, not planning, leaving the family dog in care of a neighbor, and I was just there.
It was good, meeting the lady with the purple hummingbird shirt from Cherokee N.C., --it matched
mine! Being there meant offering my aching heart and prayers for the paralyzed dog, and the
baby crying in at night, waking me as my babies used to do (all of them are late 20’s and 30’s
presently). It honored me to see my husband, wearing his ribbon-decked “manly” hat decorated
by Olivia… Kimberly shared a flute song at the flag ceremony. I loved watching Chet play his flute,
proud for the tribe.
Our girl, Shenina, had an enriching weekend with two of her friends from the Snoqualmie Canoe
Family. Each one learned something about other tribes. Walks in Water explained the history of
the old beads display to Justina. Constanza was enthralled with the amazing art studio tour. Yes,
we all are. The girls amazed others with their own talents in beading.
Being at the Idaho gathering inspired us more than anything else to use more of our creativity.
Everyone has talents, like Judy’s cooking and Pats' zucchini bread, Before we headed home
Sunday, my last “see you again” was from a very endearing Grandma Red Leaf.
To all, Wado.
Jean McVay
Selu - Wisdom of the Corn Mother
by Marilou Awiakta
Toddler, Young Children, Teen-agers, Young Adults, Elders.
We came to Restore Community to our Pacific N.W. District of Cherokee Relatives.
The Drum and Sacred Fire carried our Voices of Gratitude and Praise to Great Spirit.
Shared Stories traveled through laughter and tears to Gladden our Ancestors Spirit
Mother Earth received us, welcomed us to Rest, Renew our Physical Beings through
Her Beauty and Peace.
The Sacred Pipes sent our prayers to Great Spirit on the Wings of Wind and
Welcomed the Ancient ones to come join us and on the Wind they Blew into and
across our Sacred Lodge adding their Love, Healing, Guidance to weary,
questioning
hearts.
By Gatherings end a fracture lost circle was well on its way to RESTORATION, to
a Strength perhaps stronger than ever before experienced by the Pacific N.W.
District
and our Distinguished Guests from other States.
The Challenge was laid before us by GREAT SPIRIT to go forth and take the Love,
Healing, Community we all had experienced upon this SACRED GROUND to our
Citys', Families, Communities where we live, breathe, walk! To Walk Softly,
To Love Unconditionally, to RESPECT all things and people as our Relatives, to
live humbly and at peace with all!
Brother, Sister, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Mother, Father, Grandmother, Grandfather,
Grandchildren, or not even related, ONE FAMILY, ONE TRIBE, A UNITED PEOPLE,
and We Say THANK YOU Emmette and Gabe for Hosting us, WADO Great
Spirit, Ancestors! Aho (Eaglewings)
