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The Dropped Feather,
from Powwow
Tales, by Joe Liles |
The powwow at the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham was underway. Eddie Benton-Banai, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe from Wisconsin, was the Master of Ceremonies. Sallie Jacobs from Greensboro and of the Lumbee-Cheraw tribe, was the Head Lady dancer. Alex Ross, also of the Lumbee-Cheraw tribe from Penbroke was Head Man dancer.
Eddie was carrying out the wishes of the Powwow Committee: lots of intertribals, a few exhibitions to feature different styles of dancing, and no breaks. No one was complaining. A good time was being had by all.
During one of the dances, Eddie noticed a young Cherokee dancer standing in place in the arena. He called this to the attention of the Arena Director. Raymond Grant from Cherokee, NC, was summoned from his frybread stand. The song ended and the dance arena was cleared. An eagle feather had been dropped. |
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Raymond assembled a group of three more veterans and they took their places around the feather. Stoney Creek Drum was called on to sing a feather pick up song.
While all this was happening, Eddie told a story to the people:
In the traditions of my Ojibwe people, it is said that many years ago, four young warriors left their village on a journey. On this expedition, they were attacked by the enemy. The warriors fought bravely, but one of their number was killed. The other three warriors were able to escape, but the battle was so fierce that they were unable to retrieve the body of their fallen brother.
When they returned to their village, the elders noticed that one of the four was missing. The grandmothers met the returning warriors and asked: "Where is your brother?"
The three warriors explained all that had happened. The elders consulted among themselves and announced: "This is wrong. Your brother has sacrificed his life for his people. He does not belong alone on the battlefield. He belongs with his people. You must return to that place and retrieve your brother. You must bring him back to his people." |
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The three warriors returned to the battlefield and did as the elders had instructed. When they returned to their village, there was a great trilling of voices, a great salute to this fallen warrior. The warrior who had given his life for his people was honored and his body was taken care of in the traditional way.
The elders made sure that this would be remembered and that no warrior would ever be forgotten. Eddie continued: "The feather that has been dropped here today is an eagle feather. It comes from the bird that flies closest to the Creator. It comes from the bird who talks to the Creator on the behalf of the earth's Original People. The feather that has been dropped is said to represent that fallen warrior of many years ago. We will take care of this feather in the same way. The dancer who dropped this feather should not be ashamed. These things happen from time to time. This dancer has given us an opportunity to learn how we should handle ourselves in the traditional way. This dancer has given us an opportunity to teach our young ones about the lessons that come from long ago." |
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At this time, Stoney Creek started the song. The veterans who had surrounded the feather started dancing. On the honor beats of the song, one of the veterans would dance in to the feather and pay tribute to it. After the fourth set of honor beats, Raymond Grant danced up to the feather. He was carrying a large wing feather fan in one hand and a single eagle tail feather in the other. On one knee, Raymond sprinkled tobacco on the fallen feather, on the fan, and on the feather he was carrying. He used the tail feather to gently place the fallen feather on the fan. Raymond stood and the four warriors danced the fallen feather out of the arena. All of the people in the gymnasium were standing. Men and women who were wearing hats were holding them in their hands. No words were spoken as the veterans left the arena. |
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Copyright ® by Joe Liles |
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