Susan
It was rainy and cold (50 degrees) as we started our day
with cereal, coffee, and Ben’s journal entry and James’ thought. A rainbow and
glimpses of sunshine accompanied us to Chewing Blackbones Campground, as well
as Phoebe’s excitement about Oreo cows.
The campground, almost empty when we arrived probably would have
disappointed Chewing Blackbones himself (an elder who died in 1963 at the age
of 104).
We hung out at the playground and in the van until others
arrived. Then a spirited soccer game involved most of us and Browning kids and
adults. James was even seen kicking the ball in from the sidelines and Carter
and Ben did some good goalie work.
Ellie met up with 3 girls from the Boys and Girls Club and
they picked wildflowers.
After our picnic lunch planned by Ann, Carter and Ellie, we
met 8th grade teacher and Reservation guide Jim. He passed on
Blackfeet history and the practical skills learned through traditional games
such as Spear and Hoop and Scare the Buffalo, some of our group from the
shorter to the taller did well yelling and running across the field on only one
breath. They also played Double Ball and Shinny, during this game Ann scored a
goal. The games used natural materials and most were carved and then painted,
red paint means “holy” and black means “war”. Feathers added decoration and
meaning.
We waited while the wind picked up and sprinkles began again
for the teepee building, featuring 21 carefully measured, cut, and prepared
poles from the lodge-pole pine tree.
It took a lot of muscles- just ask Tyler and Chad – to get the poles
up correctly after the first 4
were tied together precisely. The canvas enclosed the teepee and so we were
done. We headed back to Browning with an assortment of Blackfeet traditions.
The day, which began with a group of tired volunteers and
cranky weather following us to an underused park, picked up and was a lot of
fun. Can’t say I worked very hard but I really enjoyed talking with community
people and being in the Montana beauty all day.
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