Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life

Table of Contents

preface / 3 Where to Begin / 5 Kids Today / 13 In Harm’s Way / 23 Timeline / 39 Harley and Sue Eagle / 43 Clifford Canku / 69 Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan / 91 Delores Brunelle / 117 Alameda Rocha / 143 Statement by the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs / 167 Star Spirit / 169 A Silent Voice / 171 acknowledgments / 185 source notes / 187 contents 00front_Layout 1 6/6/2011 10:18 Page vii 00front_Layout 1 6/6/2011 10:18 Page viii To become a hunka (child-beloved) was to be elevated to a high station in the tribe, and that was an honor that did not come to everyone . . . Two whole years were spent in getting ready for the ceremony . . . but at last the great day arrived . . . The new gown and the necklace and belt and bracelet were put on Waterlily, and some long, wide pendants of tiny shells were hung from her ears . . . Last of all, the new moccasins of solid red quillwork with matching leggings went on . . . And not only the tops but also the soles of the moccasins were covered with quillwork. This seemed extravagant and unnecessary, and Waterlily ventured to say so. “When I walk, I shall quickly break the quills and ruin the soles.” Her aunt Dream Woman replied, “But you will not walk.” Then she told the girl that child-beloved moccasins for the hunka were always decorated so, and that one did not walk to the ceremonial tipi; one was carried . . . Three other children whose parents were also honoring them were borne in the same way by their particular escorts to the ceremonial tipi. There they were seated in the honor-place, and an immense curtain was held in front of them while the officials gave them the hunka painting: tiny pencil lines of red vermilion down their cheeks to signify their new status. They were now children-beloved. All their lives they would have the right to mark their faces in this manner for important occasions, and people would say of them, “There goes a hunka!,” and that would be an honor. It would mean, “There goes one whose family loved him so much that they gave a great feast and many presents to the people in his name.” To have something given away in one’s name was the greatest compliment one could have. It was better than to receive. When the painting was finished and the curtain removed, the spectators saw the four children sitting in a row, each one holding a beautiful ear of blue corn mounted on a stick. This was to symbolize the hospitality to which they were in effect pledging themselves by accepting hunka status. They were now of the elect. —ella cara deloria, Waterlily 00front_Layout 1 6/6/2011 10:18 Page ix 00front_Layout 1 6/6/2011 10:18 Page x b e l o v e d c h i l d 00front_Layout 1 6/6/2011 10:18 Page 1 00front_Layout 1 6/6/2011 10:18 Page 2 ...