A legend told by the Camp Chris Dobbins Staph at the Opening Campfire ceremony of each week.
IN SILENCE.
Many winters ago, before the white man came upon this land, the buffalo, deer, and elk ran freely across the great prairie. And many great nations of Indians followed. For they depended on these animals for their food and for their shelter. And they thanked the Great Spirit for the abundance of these animals, their brothers.
But, alas, greed and self-desire overcame these nations. Each nations wished to control the hunting grounds, refusing the other nations their right to live, their right to survive. The nations began to use their hunting weapons against their brothers of other nations. The hunters became warriors, finding the blood of their brothers upon their hands and upon their weapons. And it is told that the plains of our Mother the Earth turned red with blood.
The Grandfathers looked down from the heavens where the White Eagle flies and saw their sons killing each other. Knowing that this was not what he had taught his sons, the Great Spirit caused the buffalo, the deer, and the elk to disappear from the Earth. Son the human beings were starving and were without shelter. And the Grandfathers sent visions to the leaders of the many nations. Each vision showed a place where the buffalo, the deer, and the elk could be found, but only of the nations traveled together as brothers.
The Leaders of the many nations called their people together to form one great hoop. The people looked into each other's eyes and found the truth and the brotherhood of the Great Spirit. The nations traveled together for many moons, the line of people greater than two days. Many hardships were found upon the trail, but together, as brothers, they overcame these.
At last they came to this valley where you shall spend the next week. A great hoop was formed with the chiefs of the many nations at the center. After giving thanks to the Great Spirit and the four corners of the Universe, the chiefs passed a sacred pipe to each other, each pledging peace and brotherhood to the other.
As each moon of the berry ripens, the nations gathered in this valley of peace, to reconfirm their brotherhood and give thanks to the Great Spirit.
My brothers, I welcome you tonight to this land of peace. Walk the trails of Peaceful Valley as a brother to all those who walk with you. Those on two legs, the four-legged creatures, and the winged ones. For they are all creatures of the Great Spirit and your brothers. Fin the true spirit of scouting, live and share it. Throughout this week I shall be with you, watching at your every footstep, watching as you grow tall and strong like the mighty pine. I pray that through your deeds you will not disappoint me, or yourselves.
I send a voice to the Great Spirit that he may guide and guard you upon your journey up the trail
of Scouting. Seek His greatness and wisdom, and you shall never be afraid, you shall never be
alone.
I, Chingachook, have spoken. It is finished. Etcheta Weh Lo.
I now ask that all those seated before me rise in silence and follow me from our council hoop.
<< Back to the Library
