Tuesday, July 25, 2006
"Sunshine this, Sunshine that!" We moved Holli from East Central University to Cameron University in Lawton, where Nathan had been there 2 years and was heavily involved in Cameron Campus Ministries. The university had a huge Southern Baptist presence on campus, and CCM was a service for others who wanted fellowship, who attended other churches. Nathan was president and also in charge of building the organization's web presence. 
The year before, Nathan was elected president as well, and he also joined the American Indian Club, to reinvigorate it. Maybe he met Sunshine there, or maybe she just started attending CCM. Suddenly our Cameron students had another mother, and we had another daughter. Sunshine's mother had terminal brain cancer. Without tribal help, their family finances would have been disasterous, ... and we had a wedding to plan for, knowing that Sunshine's mother would need plenty of help. Only the flowers for the altar were professionally supplied. The rest of the wedding would have to be catered by friends, and as we drove down, I had no idea just how much of an intregal part our family would be.
As an Oklahoma Licensed Beautician, Drema was in charge of all the brides' maids' hair, which included Holli and herself. Do they look ready for an ensemble of maids?
It didn't take me long to realize that I was totally in charge of the photography and with digital technology, a wedding can save a bundle on professional pictures. How about, "Zilcho!" - with an instant choice of pictures for the wedding book and a wedding CD that can be reproduced and sent to as many cousins, aunts, in-laws and out-laws as desired.
This becomes a community and congregational project. Here, Marcella takes on, yet, another hat as she helps decorate the reception room for the bride and groom, Don and Sunshine. The help was sparse, though, so double and triple hats are part of the deal when you take part in a small society, like Cache, which is about the same size of Newkirk. Ask A.Cec what that means.
The punch table needs some attention. Non-alcohol, of course. Even though you see no hats on Marcella, believe me, they are there, and she is a professional hat wearer. Notice that Sunshine's mother is not shown. Cancer treatments take a toll on ones ability to do much in a given day. Everyone is well aware of the fact that Sunshine's mother's cancer is terminal.
The amazing thing about this wedding, was that I knew the groom's mother very, very well. I had grown a beard, and she didn't recognize me at all; but I knew her.
"I cannot believe this!" I said, as her and her, new husband came in. This was just before the above picture was taken.
I didn't give her a chance to say anything, and proceeded to give her a big, looong, shoulder to shoulder hug. Now, though she looks Caucasion, LaDonna is Choctaw, and, as the District Wide Drug Grant Coordinator, I had hired her personally to do drug counseling and programming for our students in the high school, which lasted 3 years.
LaDonna was wonderful. The students loved her, and she loved the students. She saw me as her boss and would write up a report at the end of each year.
I could feel her pull away, as I hugged her, and, then, ... and, then, ... LaDonna realized who I was. It hadn't been 2 years before when she came back up to the high school and had me sign some papers so she would qualify as a Certified Public Counselor. Goes to prove, you just never know who you are helping, when you are a part of a community.
Notice that Nathan is sitting there with a friend. Even though, American Indians and African Americans, generally, choose to worship in separate buildings, weddings and funerals bring commonality to human beings.
Notice Sunshine's maids-in-waiting, all appear to be Caucasians. She is the only Indian there. Could be wrong, but I know the last young lady, and the second young lady have no American Indian blood running through their veins, and they consider Sunshine as a sister!! Our kids have always chosen good friends.It's time for a wedding, don't you think?
The entire court. This was my time to shine. For the next 20 minutes, I had the full and undivided attention, as we took picture after picture of what each side of the family would need.
The guests, waited in the educational wing, which was decorated with the WEDDING CAKE and the groom's cake, a tradition that holds in most of our US weddings. Can you guess what the grooms' cake represents?
It's a basketball in school colors. While Sunshine is from Cache, he graduated from Indiahoma, a hop-skip and a jump to the north. After the cut, they feed each other, and then, ... and then the toast.
Once done, everyone else is served, and no one has left yet, and you will see why.
Now, this part of the wedding is over. The wedding now becomes a celebration of community. The worship center has been quickly transformed into a serving area and food is brought in by all those who are attending. Much of the food is specially prepared, Indian recipes, passed down from generation to generation. And look who is doing all the serving. You guessed it. Marcella took care of the whole thing. She made sure all got what they wanted and everyone had plenty to eat. She is a professional at this part. I even got to eat.
To make it a done-deal, the minister has to have the Certificate of Marriage signed, and then needs a witness to sign it.
An important tradition! She, who catches the bridal bouqet will be the next to wed. The bride turns around backwards and tosses the flowers over her head, where all the non-married, eligible young ladies have an opportunity to catch it.
Sunshine no longer has her old name. She now has a new name, and Don has a new wife. But wait, what is that written on the front of the car. Maybe they ran out of white Sparky. FUMBI??? Maybe it should have been FUMBLE? You think?
Of course there are cans behind the car as they head out to their destination. But there is one more thing to take care of.
Now it is time for The Indian Way. Marcella is honored for all her work, with an Indian blanket. No one else at the wedding received one. Of course, Marcella didn't expect anything, but that is THE INDIAN WAY, a tradition that is passed on at pow wows, Indian gatherings, and, of course, weddings. Is this cool or what, to live in INDIAN COUNTRY, AMERICA? And we are thankful that Sunshine's mother is smiling down from heaven on the new relationship.
(c) Dale Hill (2006)
I'm standing behind the pulpit. You can see Sunshine's father and mother, at the far left. Her mother has a nice hat on, to cover her hairless head from her fight against cancer. What a precious opportunity we have to make a difference in someones life.
The entire court. This was my time to shine. For the next 20 minutes, I had the full and undivided attention, as we took picture after picture of what each side of the family would need.
The guests, waited in the educational wing, which was decorated with the WEDDING CAKE and the groom's cake, a tradition that holds in most of our US weddings. Can you guess what the grooms' cake represents?
It's a basketball in school colors. While Sunshine is from Cache, he graduated from Indiahoma, a hop-skip and a jump to the north. After the cut, they feed each other, and then, ... and then the toast. Once done, everyone else is served, and no one has left yet, and you will see why.
Now, this part of the wedding is over. The wedding now becomes a celebration of community. The worship center has been quickly transformed into a serving area and food is brought in by all those who are attending. Much of the food is specially prepared, Indian recipes, passed down from generation to generation. And look who is doing all the serving. You guessed it. Marcella took care of the whole thing. She made sure all got what they wanted and everyone had plenty to eat. She is a professional at this part. I even got to eat.
To make it a done-deal, the minister has to have the Certificate of Marriage signed, and then needs a witness to sign it.
An important tradition! She, who catches the bridal bouqet will be the next to wed. The bride turns around backwards and tosses the flowers over her head, where all the non-married, eligible young ladies have an opportunity to catch it.
Sunshine no longer has her old name. She now has a new name, and Don has a new wife. But wait, what is that written on the front of the car. Maybe they ran out of white Sparky. FUMBI??? Maybe it should have been FUMBLE? You think?
Of course there are cans behind the car as they head out to their destination. But there is one more thing to take care of.
Now it is time for The Indian Way. Marcella is honored for all her work, with an Indian blanket. No one else at the wedding received one. Of course, Marcella didn't expect anything, but that is THE INDIAN WAY, a tradition that is passed on at pow wows, Indian gatherings, and, of course, weddings. Is this cool or what, to live in INDIAN COUNTRY, AMERICA? And we are thankful that Sunshine's mother is smiling down from heaven on the new relationship.
(c) Dale Hill (2006)
# posted by Papa Dale @ 7:46 AM 
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The traditional food for most Indian gathering is the "Indian Frie Bread' and, "an Indian Taco."
Specially prepared dough, when thrown into boiling hot grease, cause the bread to rise up with little and big bubbles.
Then they put fried meat on top of it, with cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes... .
Lettuce
The name Indian lettuce has been used to refer to a number of plants used as leaf vegetables used by Native American or Indian people, including but likely not limited to:
* Lactuca indica [1]
* Claytonia perfoliata (miner's lettuce) [2] [3]
* Claytonia sibirica (candy flower) [4]
* Chenopodium californicum [5]
Tomato
Yet another fruit used by American Indians and was introduced to the new colonist.
For years, the tomato was considered poisonous, until one man dared to a half dozen of them at once and walked away to tell about it. From there, it became on of the favorite fruits of the Americas and is now a staple in hamburgers and Mexican food.
So, an Indian Taco contains all Indian ingredients.
Specially prepared dough, when thrown into boiling hot grease, cause the bread to rise up with little and big bubbles.
Then they put fried meat on top of it, with cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes... .
Lettuce
The name Indian lettuce has been used to refer to a number of plants used as leaf vegetables used by Native American or Indian people, including but likely not limited to:
* Lactuca indica [1]
* Claytonia perfoliata (miner's lettuce) [2] [3]
* Claytonia sibirica (candy flower) [4]
* Chenopodium californicum [5]
Tomato
Yet another fruit used by American Indians and was introduced to the new colonist.
For years, the tomato was considered poisonous, until one man dared to a half dozen of them at once and walked away to tell about it. From there, it became on of the favorite fruits of the Americas and is now a staple in hamburgers and Mexican food.
So, an Indian Taco contains all Indian ingredients.
http://www.aaanativearts.com
Piyapat, the food thing, would be a good addition to this website. I am going to get help locally, but go to the above. It is an incredible American Indian resource.
I live on the Washita River. Go to the questions and pour over them. The Washita River is very important in American Indian history, and Custer, who lead a segment of the Cavalry to some historic events - still talked about today.
I've even have written a song about Custer.
Papa Dale
Piyapat, the food thing, would be a good addition to this website. I am going to get help locally, but go to the above. It is an incredible American Indian resource.
I live on the Washita River. Go to the questions and pour over them. The Washita River is very important in American Indian history, and Custer, who lead a segment of the Cavalry to some historic events - still talked about today.
I've even have written a song about Custer.
Papa Dale
Miss Ya,
Try this page.
//www.thegutsygourmet.net/indian.html
Funny thing is that you are going to hear what sounds like Indian music. Listen to the drum Compare that to The Drum you hear on the QFPDIndian page.
Only Hollywood dreamed up that American Indian beat. No Indians have a rhythm drum like - BOOM, boom, boom, BOOM, boom, boom.
YOu have a chance to really hear the difference. The Indian flute sounds somewhat on target, except I would like to hear more back flute. Hit the note then lift off while blowing, hold for a second and then press back down.
Let me find a page. I am still working on the page I mentioned. Lots of foods on that page, including, Indian Fried Green Tomatoes.
Try this page.
//www.thegutsygourmet.net/indian.html
Funny thing is that you are going to hear what sounds like Indian music. Listen to the drum Compare that to The Drum you hear on the QFPDIndian page.
Only Hollywood dreamed up that American Indian beat. No Indians have a rhythm drum like - BOOM, boom, boom, BOOM, boom, boom.
YOu have a chance to really hear the difference. The Indian flute sounds somewhat on target, except I would like to hear more back flute. Hit the note then lift off while blowing, hold for a second and then press back down.
Let me find a page. I am still working on the page I mentioned. Lots of foods on that page, including, Indian Fried Green Tomatoes.
Here is a local place for Indian Music. It costs money. We know Tom Blanchard very well and is considered our neighbor, since he lives out this way.
The other lists address as Gracemont, which is about 6 miles south of us, but the Gracement address could mean he lives within two miles where we live.
I know other flute makers, so I will check some more. I should learn to play the Indian flute. I can play the flute "recorder," and so, ... there won't be much different in technique. I learned to play the "recorder" in and educational class at the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond. I have about 45 to 50 hours invested in that institution. Same with Oklahoma State University.
The other lists address as Gracemont, which is about 6 miles south of us, but the Gracement address could mean he lives within two miles where we live.
I know other flute makers, so I will check some more. I should learn to play the Indian flute. I can play the flute "recorder," and so, ... there won't be much different in technique. I learned to play the "recorder" in and educational class at the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond. I have about 45 to 50 hours invested in that institution. Same with Oklahoma State University.
Piyapat,
We were clear across the gymnasium from the drummers. If we had sat by them, the drum would be deafening. It is one huge drum, with a diameter of 4 or 5 feet.
Generally the drummers set it to the right of the center of the building. As they sing, people, honor them with dollars. Also, designated men make sure the drummers have water or sodas.
Indian dances are traditional, and anyone making fun of Indian traditions, out of spite, is unprofessional. To pass it on as the truth and a valid description of a subset of Americans is below being disrespectful.
I sat in a car with a man and his wife, many years ago, hitching the ride to go to class at Oklahoma University. Her husband is a big time, loud-mouth, insolent human being. Just listening to him talk, could instantly, tell that he hated Indians. He said this in the car, with his wife, who was Indian.
"Yeah, we can hear the drums over there and most of the times they sound like a bunch of "WILD INDIANS." So, how long do you think that marriage lasted? Your right.
The last Pow Wow we went to, they had 2 drums working on the opposite side of the building. Only one drum would be used per dance, but the other was then given the time to do a dance, generally "Gourd Dances."
Papa Dale
Papa Dale
We were clear across the gymnasium from the drummers. If we had sat by them, the drum would be deafening. It is one huge drum, with a diameter of 4 or 5 feet.
Generally the drummers set it to the right of the center of the building. As they sing, people, honor them with dollars. Also, designated men make sure the drummers have water or sodas.
Indian dances are traditional, and anyone making fun of Indian traditions, out of spite, is unprofessional. To pass it on as the truth and a valid description of a subset of Americans is below being disrespectful.
I sat in a car with a man and his wife, many years ago, hitching the ride to go to class at Oklahoma University. Her husband is a big time, loud-mouth, insolent human being. Just listening to him talk, could instantly, tell that he hated Indians. He said this in the car, with his wife, who was Indian.
"Yeah, we can hear the drums over there and most of the times they sound like a bunch of "WILD INDIANS." So, how long do you think that marriage lasted? Your right.
The last Pow Wow we went to, they had 2 drums working on the opposite side of the building. Only one drum would be used per dance, but the other was then given the time to do a dance, generally "Gourd Dances."
Papa Dale
Papa Dale
Piyapat
If you could get the students interested, I would be glad to put up an American Indian food resource, for all of the plants that Indians introduced to the world. Tobacco was one of them. It is probably a blog that needs to be posted, anyway, and your class could be a resource for it.
But, I'm not sure what A.Cec. has planned for the rest of the semester.
Papa Dale
Marcella had a battery blow up on her, and it knocked out a 120 fuse. We have no idea how to take the fuse out. So we will have to have it towed to a mechanic who knows how to do that.
If you could get the students interested, I would be glad to put up an American Indian food resource, for all of the plants that Indians introduced to the world. Tobacco was one of them. It is probably a blog that needs to be posted, anyway, and your class could be a resource for it.
But, I'm not sure what A.Cec. has planned for the rest of the semester.
Papa Dale
Marcella had a battery blow up on her, and it knocked out a 120 fuse. We have no idea how to take the fuse out. So we will have to have it towed to a mechanic who knows how to do that.
I hate to say it, but there is a lot of prejudice against Indians around here, among white people. Sad, but true.
Nathan, my son will be visiting your class and will be singing. He knows lots of songs, and can play the bass also. But he has no idea how to play the harmonica.
My older son plays the guitar too. It runs in the family. I think I will teach our youngest how to play the Ukelele.
There was something else I was going to tell you and I forgot about it. Old age. But I will get back to you on it. Ask A.C. about the food. I don't think there is any specific blog on Indian foods. Okra is another Indian food. I like to eat them raw off of the plants, but Marcella doesn't like them. We used to plant a humongous garden, but not any more. Way too hard on my back.
Actually, the drums are deafening. And the drummers sing as well, and they make sounds by trilling their tongues in falseto for mean and women in regular voice. Falseto means that a man has a regular voice, but he can talk higher, especially to babies. My falseto can go way up high. And I can Yoddle, too, and to be able to do that, you have to have the ability to make a distinct sound when you go back and forth into the falseto thing.
Listen to some Jimmy Rodgers music.
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Nathan, my son will be visiting your class and will be singing. He knows lots of songs, and can play the bass also. But he has no idea how to play the harmonica.
My older son plays the guitar too. It runs in the family. I think I will teach our youngest how to play the Ukelele.
There was something else I was going to tell you and I forgot about it. Old age. But I will get back to you on it. Ask A.C. about the food. I don't think there is any specific blog on Indian foods. Okra is another Indian food. I like to eat them raw off of the plants, but Marcella doesn't like them. We used to plant a humongous garden, but not any more. Way too hard on my back.
Actually, the drums are deafening. And the drummers sing as well, and they make sounds by trilling their tongues in falseto for mean and women in regular voice. Falseto means that a man has a regular voice, but he can talk higher, especially to babies. My falseto can go way up high. And I can Yoddle, too, and to be able to do that, you have to have the ability to make a distinct sound when you go back and forth into the falseto thing.
Listen to some Jimmy Rodgers music.
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