Chiefly Thoughts

Brothers,

Indian Summer has flown by so fast. I guess it's true, time flies when you are having fun. For the past few days, we have been so busy learning, sharing, and developing new ideas to better improve the Native American culture of the Order of the Arrow. We have done this through our various training seminars under the American Indian Activities Committee, and the ceremonial development and improvement classes. The Inductions Management Seminar of the ICE committee is an absolutely phenomenal training tool. An abundance of resources are located here at Ridgecrest this week, and we are utilizing these resources. When we are not learning or developing new ideas, you may find us in the craft rooms, where we can make and design various clubs, steel work, beadwork, etc. When we are not there, most likely we are out talking with each other, enjoying the thing that makes this program so special--Brotherhood.

Cheerful Service is another huge part of the Order of the Arrow. We have asked Ridgecrest, if we could be of service to their facility. Surprisingly, we are the first organization to ask what we could give back Ridgecrest. We helped the maintenance staff build a retaining wall, as well as make some new trails for them. It was an overwhelming experience seeing about fifty Arrowmen giving service to the facility. The work site was very wet and muddy and the weather wasn’t great either. However, several 80’s songs, as well as serving with our fellows, was enough to keep our spirits high, and maintain our tradition of cheerful service.

After we worked hard, it was time to play hard. On Tuesday, we held the Mountain Man Rendezvous. This event was an amazing taste of Appalachian culture, including blue grass music, old Indian games, and black powder shooting and knife throwing. We were truly able to experience a part of life for a mountain man. After we were done being mountain men, it was time to dance. The southern style pow-wow was right down the road, and was another culture enriching experience. Many Arrowmen and special guests danced and enjoyed the culture that is a significant part of our program.

Wednesday will be a sad day, it is the last day. However, we will not let that bring us down. We will rise to the occasion and make it the best day of Indian Summer. We will continue to share our ideas and methods. We will join in the fellowship of our brothers. The final gathering will summarize and conclude our journey this past week. Even though we start to gather our things from here and head back to our home towns, we must remember why we came here in the first place; we came to gain knowledge, and to take that knowledge back to our home lodges. We must share with others what we have learned, gained, and experienced here. He who follows such a pathway, is unwavering in cheerful service, will be seen by many others, and by inspiration lead them.

In Brotherhood,

Rich Moore
National Vice Chief

Revised 08/06/2003.