AUGUST MEETING: Photos, Eagle Feather Ceremony, and Gratitude Message

On August 19th, the CNCV had a very special general membership meeting and potluck, filled with culture and history. Master Gardener, Suzanne Breshears, provided an informative talk on native plants and their uses. Shirley Rowland held a naming ceremony. Council members, Sheila Zangrilli and Sabrina McKinney, presented on their trip to Tahlequah for the Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach (CCO) Leadership Conference and cultural enrichment days. This included learning from National Treasures, a going to water ceremony led by Howard Payden, a stomp dance with Ryan Mackey, visiting our bison herd, basket weaving, forging connections with Cherokees from across the country, and many important cultural and historical teachings. This presentation was kept short to make time for other agenda items. Due to this, it may make a reappearance at a future meeting.

We then had a special presentation on feathers in Cherokee culture by Jim Kemp, Cherokee Elder, Culture Keeper, and General Meeting Coordinator for the Colorado Cherokee Circle Council. He spoke about different types of feathers and their meanings, including turkey, hawk, and eagle feathers. We concluded with a surprise ceremony, after smudging the room and all in attendance with sage, in which we honored a special young man, Ben Rudd, with the bestowal of an eagle feather as a warrior. Jim spoke about traditional Cherokee values and how, as a warrior, one upholds these always.

Jim presented Ben with a primary flight feather from a Golden Eagle, which he had carefully selected, beaded with peyote stitch, and protected in a one-of-a-kind beautiful box, lined with red satin and hand-carved with an eagle and syllabary stating “Cherokee Warrior” along with a certificate of acknowledgment. Jim smudged the feather and Ben with a smudge stick bundled especially for the occasion by Ben’s aunt, Sabrina McKinney, from her garden using white sage, tobacco, live oak, and cedar from a family cemetery. Ben made a vow to always keep in his heart and mind that, as a Cherokee Warrior, he has a responsibility to present himself in a way that will make his family, ancestors, and Tribe proud. As a Warrior, he must lead with integrity and dedication to duty, seeking to protect and expand our culture, and to live Cherokee values daily, like working together as one, never giving up, and being resourceful, generous, and encouraging.

Ben was also presented with a meaningful Letter of Commendation while his mother, Erika Rudd-Souza, and aunt draped a blanket depicting Sequoyah over his shoulders. These thoughtful gifts were provided by Johnny Jack Kidwell, Cherokee Nation Council Member. Jim asked for a blessing of protection and guidance for Ben as he walks through life. We closed in gratitude for the eagle who sacrificed the feather and for our Creator, our ancestors, our community, and our Cherokee heritage and the value of gadugi that continues to live strong in our youth.

-- Sabrina McKinney

Jim Kemp Message of Gratitude to the CNCV

ᎲᎸᏉᏗ (Dear) CNCV Council Members,

I wanted to take the time to write and express my osda unadanvdo wado (heartfelt thanks) for the privilege and opportunity that was afforded to me by your group to participate in and demonstrate the Sacred Cherokee Ritual and Ceremony of presenting an Eagle feather and bestowing Warrior status on one of your member citizens of our great Cherokee Nation. Ben has demonstrated to me that he is a truly remarkable young man and worthy of this great gift, honor, and blessing. Being chosen to make this sacred presentation on behalf of the Cherokee Nation and CNCV was a blessing to me as well. It is my hope that I was able to provide a rich cultural experience and learning opportunity to everyone who attended the gathering.

I found your hospitality and my interactions with each of you to be very warm and welcoming. In fact, I felt just as much at home with your group as I do when I am back in the Nation or meeting with Cherokees in Colorado. Sabrina is a fabulous host and I am still in awe of her talents, compassion, and knowledge (I could not have been treated better if I was staying at an all-inclusive five-star hotel). Through her, and others in your group, I was able to learn a lot about your special community and how you do things with and for your fellow members. I have to say it was impressive! I told Sabrina that I will be implementing some of your ideas into our Colorado Cherokee Circle.

It truly is my fond desire going forward that we can continue to share best practices and Cultural opportunities between our two groups. In our Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach leadership conference back in June, we were urged to reach out and help to bring cultural awareness, knowledge, and Cherokee values and ethics to all Cherokee Citizens wherever they may reside. As a Cherokee Elder and Culture Keeper, I am always looking to share our rich culture and heritage at every opportunity that avails itself. This is why I was galieliga (grateful) and humbled that CNCV would reach out to me personally and allow me to share a part of our cultural identity that very few people ever get to experience. It was my intent that in addition to the Ceremony itself to be able to help each attendee appreciate and understand the significance and sacredness of this rare and great gift.

Because most Cherokee Ceremonies begin with smudging (or sacred smoke) it was really fun to share with your group how it is done and then to be able to teach all about different feathers and their meaning within our seven clans and tribe. Being able to smudge provided for a calming and proper spirit within your location and with everyone in attendance.

So, wado, wado, wado! I am hopeful that this was only the first of many future cultural exchanges and sharing opportunities between our two satellite communities.

I enjoyed very much my time with each of you and feel very much that as a group you undoubtedly represent the real spirit of ᎦᏚᎩ gadugi.

ᏥᎻ ᎨᎺᏈ

ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎦᏴᎵ ᎠᎴ ᎤᎦᏎᏍᏗ ᎢᏳᎾᏛᏁᎵᏓᏍᏗ

ᎽᎦᎰᎦᏙᎯ ᏣᎳᎩ ᎦᏐᏆᏄ ᎠᎾᏍᎦ

ᏗᏡᎯᏍᏗᏱ ᎠᎳᎫ

-- Jim Kemp

Cherokee Elder and Culture Keeper

General Meeting Coordinator, Colorado Cherokee Circle Council