Thanksgiving

My sister, Sherry, Chief Pyle and Me

I took my sister to have Thanksgiving dinner with our Choctaw family in Oklahoma. Our Chief was there as well.

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The Pow Wow Experience

By Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer

The voice of the drum spoke first. The gourd dancers joined it, some with full regalia, others with jeans and symbolic vests. Greetings and handshakes were exchanged between the drummers as eight groups prepared for their part in the dances. Families gathered in sections throughout the crescent-moon seating that lined the arena floor. They helped one another braid hair or put finishing touches on each other’s regalia. There were no age barriers. The day of the Sixth Annual Choctaw Casino Pow Wow in Durant, Oklahoma, commenced with feelings of kinship and oneness. It was time for the grand entry.

Stuck Backwards

There I sat, kayak turned backwards at the top of three tiers of rocks. The chilly water rushed over the front, filling my seat and soaking me. I was stuck.

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The Graceful Entrance

My mom and I arrived in Muskogee too late for checking into the hotel before the reception started, so we drove straight to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. Please note: I was in my comfy four hour driving clothes and hadn’t put on make-up yet. Or plucked that one pesky chin hair.

As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, who else had just arrived? Tim Tingle, international Choctaw author and storyteller, and event co-coordinator. He waves and comes over to the car. I hold the tweezers inconspicuously. He insists we make him feel better for being casual and waits by the car to walk inside with us. So much for slapping on some make-up.

Givers

Choctaws are a giving people. How many examples do I see of this at Labor Day every year? I’ll just recount my personal ones from 2011.