our article from  2006 event,
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To see our article from last years event, click here!

Did Muncy Relocate Over The Weekend?

I have always said that Muncy is today’s version of the Andy Griffin’s town of Mayberry.  The way the citizens work as a whole for the betterment of the community.  How the Boro values its children and the aesthetic beauty that Muncy posses.    The way the community is so in tune with its own history and heritage.   I had the opportunity to visit another community, surprisingly similar!   

 On August 5^th, 6^th and 7^th, I was invited to take part in the Bull Run Native American Pow Wow at River Front Park in Loyalsock Township.    It was the Bull Run Pow Wow’s second year and what an event it was!    The Pow Wow had quadrupled in size over last year and drew a tremendous crowd.    There were dances, Native American crafts, excellent food and so much more.    If you missed this event I highly recommend making a point to attend the third annual Bull Run Pow Wow in 2006.    Since I had a display set up there, I camped the entire weekend there.   It was a modern day version (several RV’s and nylon tents) of a Native American encampment.  I never could have anticipated what I was about to experience in these three days.

 If you had visited the Pow Wow, you would have seen numerous different dances by various tribes as well as intertribal dances.    The opening ceremonies were phenomenal.    The first dance was the grass dance.   This traditional dance involved the youth and its purpose was to “flatten” the grass so when the elders danced they would be less likely to trip or stumble in the tall grasses.   It is also one way to teach the children and give them an opportunity to dance.  The second dance was an open ceremony where the various Native Americans in traditional dress would present the colors and honor the Creator and celebrate the gathering itself.     The third dance was a dance to honor all the fallen warriors, brothers and now sister as well (the first Native American woman to be killed in a war died in the Iraq war).    However they took this one step further by honoring all veterans from all wars, from all walks of life.    All of the veterans that were present were asked to join in the circle.   Then with the drums beating and natives singing, the dancers formed a line and shook hands and/or hugged every veteran as a gesture of thanks for all they did for all of us.   If this wasn’t moving enough, they paused for a moment of silence as they peered into the west where they believe those who pass on travel to.    With an eeriness tone that only a wooden flute can produce, the first verse of Amazing Grace was played from the eastern most part of the circle, followed by a woman singing the first verse in Iroquois.   This was repeated for the second verse as well and then followed by Taps being played on the wooden flute. It is difficult to describe how touching all this was.  By the time this ceremony was over, there was not a dry eye to be found!    It was one of the most beautiful and moving ceremonies I have ever witnessed.   One vendor told me, as he was sitting back at his stand, he “got goose bumps just listening to it”.    The rest of the day was filled with numerous dances from various tribes or nations as well as some “audience participation” dances.   

 There were several vendors there with beautiful, hand made Native American wares for sale or trade.    They even had a “Trade Blanket” which is one of the traditional ways that they would have traded between tribes or with settlers so many years ago.    Traditions were evident every where one would look and the intensity of the participants to keep the traditions pure and on going was second to nothing I have seen before.    The theme of the weekend was honor and pride and it could be seen in everything that was going on.   I witnessed a vendor wishing to buy some antler sheds from another vendor; he asked “how much” and the seller said “I trust you – make me an offer and that will be agreeable to me”!    I met so many wonderful people in these short few days. Many of them I never learned their names, but they would share their food, their fire and their time with you without even thinking about it.    Once you met someone, they would be sure to make a point to speak every time they saw you and you could call them all by the same name … “Friend”.    The park was full of beautiful people.    Many of my co-workers asked “How many there were truly Indians?”.    My answer is this: “almost all I met had claimed to have native blood in their heritage and everyone had the Native American spirit in their heart.    To these people that was what was important anyway.    Yes, their ancestors were persecuted by the “Whiteman” but even with all that, every camp had an American flag and you would be hard pressed to find a more patriotic group of people.    It was a pure pleasure to be camped with such wonderful people – to share food, campfire, and wonderful conversation with them.    I could not help but think how great it would be if the Native American principles were put into play in every village.   When children were in the wrong they were corrected by whomever was there and the children listen to and gave respect to them in return.   No one went running to the get mom and/or dad to come protect them or in today’s society the term is often “sue”!  When there was a problem or a dispute, the elders would say how it was to be and that was that.    There would be no talking back or arguing.    It was wonderful to see respect, honor and pride every where you looked by all age groups.  

 I was honored to be part of this event.   To learn some Native American ways of life and traditions;   to see (even if only for a few days) how things that we take for granted in today’s society are so important in the life of Native Americans;   to see families with children in a community raising them together;   to see individuals who have just met for the first time called friend and trusted on their word.   As one vendor stated to me “I committed to being here and gave my word … without your word you are nothing”.    I have no Native American blood in me, but after this weekend I have a great deal of Native American in my heart and to everyone at this Pow Wow, that is what it is all about.   I have always admired the sunrise and sunsets, but I will never be able to look at the sun setting in the west and not remember the tribute to our veterans.    I hope that I can take some of what I experienced that weekend and apply it into my life and make myself a better person.   It was a wonderful weekend and it was nice to come home and know here in our little Pennsylvania, Mayberry town– we are MUNCY INDIANS!    It truly was an honor to be part of this event and I for one, am already thinking of next year.    I hope more Muncy Indians get to experience next years Pow Wow as well!

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Among the Spirits 2006

It is possible to be with your family when you are miles away!   It was for me when I was at the 2006 Bull Run Pow Wow.   This year Beth, Ali and I were going to spend the weekend with our friends and enjoy the fellowship.    Ali became very sick that Friday and wound up going to the emergency room.    I had committed to assisting with tasks at the Pow Wow and even though everyone was willing to cover for me so I could be at the hospital, I realized there was nothing I could do there that my wife was not already doing and I was better off staying where I was.    As the weekend unfolded, there were events to unfold that would blow me away!   

I guess it became obvious to everyone there that I was only there in body and my heart was elsewhere.    I spoke to those in charge and informed them of the situation and they instantly had brothers covering the duties I wound up shrugging off.   See I was suppose to assist in manning the gate and so on which since my wife and Ali were going to be there wasn't a problem.   With out them I could not sit with the display and the gate both.   Everything was covered and there was nothing more said about it.  

As the weekend progressed, everyone kept stopping by and asking how Ali was doing.   News travels fast amongst those who care.   Many who inquired, to this day I do not know who they were.   All gave me hugs and insured me that they would keep her in their prayers.   I kept in touch with Beth as to her status and it was up and down all weekend.   Then on the last day of the event something happened that was beyond explanation.

I had just gotten off the phone with Beth and Ali had not responded to any of the medication she was taking and was as bad as she was Friday night when she went to the hospital.   The brother who was the spiritual leader for the pow wow came by and asked me if I could step away for a couple of minutes.   Before I could explain I had no one to watch the display, another brother walked up and told me he was there to watch the display so I could take a break!   Without asking what I was needed for I immediately responded "sure what ever I can help you with" and we walked away.   Trust and fellowship is the one of the things that abounds at the pow wow.   We walked over to the sacred circle where all the dances are held and I was told to just hang in there a moment while "WOLF" got his water bottle.    Then the MC made an announcement - that there was a young girl (about the same age as Ali) who was learning the native ways and had requested to do the Bell Dance.    Wolf explained to me how this young girl was learning the ways of her people and had a special gift and she was learning how to use that gift to help others.   I was told how she had been criticized by other children because of her beliefs but still pursued her heart and the way of her people.   I was then told the story of the bell dance.   

A long time ago there was a little girl who wanted to dance for her Grandfather who was loosing his sight.    By the time the young girl had learn the dance her Grandfather had gone blind.    So she attached bells to herself and danced anyway.    When she was done she hugged her Grandfather and sobbed for he was not able to see her dance.   Her Grandfather then stated that he had seen her dance and that she had done a beautiful job.     Then came the moment that brought tears to my eyes. 

This young girl had heard of Ali's illness and had requested to do the bell dance (considered a healing dance) for Ali.    I had never met this young girl nor even seen her the entire weekend until this moment!    She did the dance - she danced beautifully.    As she exited the circle she introduced herself to me and gave me a hug and told me that the dance was for Ali.    With watery eyes, we hugged and I thanked her truly from my heart.    After gaining some composure, I called Beth at home to tell her of the event that I had just witnessed.    Ecstatically Beth told me Ali who just before I had left my display was still very ill, had her fever break, was asking for something to eat and acting like herself again.     It happened all of a sudden!     Now doubters may say what they wish and that is fine but for me and my family after three days and two nights of modern medicine not having any affect - one dance by one spiritual little girl in a very spiritual place, suddenly broke through where all the modern medicine was not able to!     Ali was fine and her normal self from that point on with no reoccurrences!     I could not wait to find this little girl and tell her the news!    When I did we hugged and all I could think was - I was in the right place.    I was not away from my family at a time of need.    I was surrounded by family who shared my need - who shared my little girls need and miles from home, my little girl's needs were taken care of.

Amazing as that was, if you spend some time at the pow wow amongst the brothers that are there, you will find so many similar stories being told that this one almost seems typical.    Can love heal?    Sometimes I think it is the only healing that can work!    I was truly with family and was truly AMONG THE SPIRITS!

I do hope anyone reading this takes the time in August and visits the Bull Run Pow Wow - you will not be able to leave there with out a different feeling inside.   You do not have to have native American blood in your veins, just the spirit in your heart to walk among the spirits.

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