Once the sun has descended behind the towering pines, the Indian chant calls the Braves of the Great Kawaga Nation to the Council Ring for the Sunday evening Big Pow-wow.  Chiefs and tribal officers don their headdresses, attire, and paint their faces, while braves wear their Indian headbands, showing off their Mawanda and Sachem feathers - a symbol of their achievement.  Kawagians know the tremendous tradition involved in this solemn and treasured council meeting, which has kept the Nation strong.  Once all members of the Oneida, Mohawk, Sioux, and Chippewa tribes have taken their places in the council ring, the Special Runner circles the unlit fireplace and cries, “Hail all tribesmen!  By the power of the shining heavens, I announce the Great Chief of the Kawaga Nation, Scotozie Kenoshay the Elder, the Chief of Sachem, the Chief of Mawanda, and the Chief of Ojista.”  All eyes fix upon the Great Chief as he enters; his red and black, eagle feathered headdress trailing down his back, symbolizing his leadership.  He leads the Supreme Council, torch in hand, around the fireplace and kindles the fire, repeating the words which have guided the Kawaga Nation for nearly a century:

                      “AS GOD GAVE US THE FIRE, SO GAVE HE US THE WARMTH OF FRIENDSHIP.”  
                                                                                  

            The fire dancers shout “YIP” and proceed to dance around the fire, voicing their wishes one by one.  “Burn Brightly,” states the Chippewa dancer.  “Burn Warmly,” cries the Sioux.  “Burn Cheerfully,” announces the Mohawk.  “Burn Strongly,” wishes the Oneida.  The assembly around the council fire then pledges unity, in a song, with: THUS WE, THUS WE, THE NIGHT ALONG, WITH HAPPY HEARTS, WISH WELL ONE ANOTHER.

            The runners of the various tribes then announce their respective chiefs.  The Chippewa Runner circles the fire and raises his right hand, announcing:  “Hail all tribesmen!  By the power of the shining heavens, I announce Machoninie, Chief of the Chippewa.”  The Sioux follows, announcing Wakonta.  Then the Mohawk introduces Scotozie Kenoshay, followed by the Oneida announcing his Chief, Macha Muckwa.  Each tribal chief follows their introduction with their traditional speech.  Then the Great Chief addresses the Kawaga Nation with an Indian story relating to camp.  The moral of the story touches upon one of the five parts of camp:  Tradition, Sportsmanship, Fellowship, Achievement, and Leadership.  The Great Chief’s speech is concluded with the singing of Kawaga’s challenge song:  COMRADES, KINSMEN, NOW HAVE I SPOKEN THUS: THE EARTH IS MINE, ‘TIS MY DOMAIN.  THUS DO I EXERT ME.

            At this point in the ceremony, sacrifices of magic dust are made by the tribal Medicine Men to the Great Spirit, Gitchy Manitou.  The Chippewa medicine man makes his sacrifice for a Sturdy Body, the Sioux for a Brave Heart, the Mohawk for a Clean Mind, and the Oneida for a Strong Character.

            The Chiefs and their Wachi Counzas then gather around the blazing fire for the traditional peace pipe ceremony.  Each Chief blesses one of the four winds.  The pipe is handed to the Oneida who states his blessing first:  “To the West Wind, where the sun goes at evening so that the Indian may have his rest - we ask thy blessing.”  The Chippewa then blesses:  “To the South Wind, where stands the sun at noon tide so that the Indians’ corn may grow - we ask thy blessing.”  Then the Sioux delivers his:  “To the East Wind, whence comes the sun in the morning to herald the Indians’ day - we ask thy blessing.”  The Mohawk states:  “To the North Wind, great cold maker, who shows the Indian that he is not the master of the elements - we ask thy blessing.”  The peace pipe is then passed to the Chief of Sachem who says: “To Gitchy Manitou, the Great One, we ask thy blessing on this camping season, its campers, and their families.”  The peace pipe ceremony is completed with Scotozie Kenoshay the Elder’s blessing:  “To the Mother Earth, from where the Indian came and whether he shall return - we ask thy blessing.”  The entire Kawaga Nation then sings a prayer for peace:  PEACE I ASK OF THEE, O RIVER, PEACE, PEACE, PEACE.  FROM THE HILLS I GATHER COURAGE, VISIONS OF THE DAYS TO BE:  PEACE I ASK OF THEE, O RIVER, PEACE, PEACE, PEACE.

            As the prayer for peace fades into the night, an elder brave steps forward to recite an Indian Prayer:  WAKONDA THE THU WAH PAH THIN A TON HE: WAKONDA THE THU WAH PAH THIN A TON HE:  GREAT SPIRIT, WE THE NEEDY ONE STAND BEFORE THEE:  GREAT SPIRIT, WE THE NEEDY ONE ASK FOR THEY HELP.

            The peace pipe is entrusted to the tribe of Oneida as the Kawaga tribesmen sing:  WHEN THE CURTAINS OF NIGHT ARE PINNED BACK BY THE STARS AND THE BEAUTIFUL MOON LEAPS THE SKY, I’LL REMEMBER YOU, KAWAGA, IN MY PRAYERS.  Then, in the stillness of dusk, the Sage of the Oneida tribe recites the Kawaga Ideal.  The words of the Ideal help serve as a goal for every member of the Nation, and offers tribesmen an example of how to improve as a person.

            After Kawaga’s men pledge each other’s friendship with the singing of “’Round the Campfire,” the honorary oaths of Ojista, Mawanda, and Sachem are bestowed upon those braves who are worthy of induction.  All braves who have entered the tribe of Sachem then stand and recite their Sachem name.

            The revered ceremony ends with a prayer from the Great Chief:  “May the road rise up to meet you.  May the wind always be at your back.  May the sun shine warmly upon your face.  May the rain fall gently upon your fields.  And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

            Following the singing of “Marcheta” and “Taps,” all braves of the Kawaga Nation solemnly return to their resting places as the great campfire is reduced to embers and darkness envelops the Council Ring once again.

Kawaga Alumni Association