Meet Some Trainers

This week, Indian Summer boasted a diverse and well qualified staff of trainers in the American Indian Activities. They were able to teach everything from silver crafting to straight dancing. The trainers were both youth and adult, and the combination complemented one another. On Wednesday we were able to catch up with some of the staff members to learn more about their backgrounds and how they feel about Indian Summer:

Name: Joe Cranford
Age: 19
Lodge: Occoneechee
Hometown: Wake Forrest, North Carolina

How long have you been involved in Native American Indian culture?
"Almost six years."

How did you get involved in this cultural learning?
"It would have been my brother who was also in the Order."

What part of Indian culture are you teaching in your area?
"Northern Traditional Dancing."

How do you approach the Order's celebration of American Indian culture?
"I think it's great. I think obviously you have to step outside of the Order if you really want to embrace the whole culture, but the OA is a great starting place."

How has your experience been at Indian Summer?
"Very good. I just wish more people from my lodge could have come."

Name: Travis W.
Age: 16
Lodge: Colonneh
Hometown: Houston, Texas

How long have you been involved in Native American Indian culture?
"About three years."

How did you get involved in this cultural learning?
"My father started dancing when he was in the Order as a kid."

What part of Indian culture are you teaching in your area?
"Northern Plains Traditional Dance."

How do you approach the Order's celebration of American Indian culture?
"I think it's a great way to honor Native American culture..."

How has your experience been at Indian Summer?
"It has been awesome. I wish it was more [often] instead of every twenty-five years or something like that. I wish it was every other year in between NOACs."

Name: Rob Tyler
Age: 30
Lodge: Ha-Kin-Skay-A-Ki
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

How long have you been involved in Native American Indian culture?
"Since I was three (twenty-seven years)."

How did you get involved in this cultural learning?
"Through my family."

What part of Indian culture are you teaching in your area?
"I'm doing inductions and ceremonial events."

How do you approach the Order's celebration of American Indian culture?
"I approach it as being one of the things people want to continue because it is a rich culture. I want to help preserve the tradition."

How has your experience been at Indian Summer?
"I had a blast and would most definitely want to have this program again."

Name: Carolyn Bartlett
Lodge: Ku-Ni-Eh
Location: Middletown, Ohio

How long have you been involved in Native American Indian culture?
"Since 1989."

How did you get involved in this cultural learning?
"Through the boy scouts. My husband has been in the order since he was about sixteen."

What part of Indian culture are you teaching in your area?
"Ladies. Outfits dance styles, beadwork."

How do you approach the Order's celebration of American Indian culture?
"Teaching the correct way to do things."

How has your experience been at Indian Summer?
"This has been fabulous. It's wonderful working with the young men and seeing the improvement and the enthusiasm."

Revised 08/06/2003.