A Great Start and a New Tribe Name!

The yet-to-be named tribe met for the first time and began to follow the traditions set forth by many YGuide tribes before us. It was a day that many of the braves probably thought would never arrive, but when it finally did, dad's and braves looked proud to be wearing their Yguide vest in the quest to "make memories". See right side for pictures of tribe members.

The ceremonial start began with the banging on the drum - one time for each tribe member present. John-Paul (Little Panther) was an eager leader, just as happy as he was a day earlier when he and Dan (Big Panther) hand delivered invitations for our meeting. Braves and dads then participating in reciting the six aims, and the YGuides pledge: "We, father and son, through friendly service to each other, to our family, to this tribe, to our community, seek a world pleasing to the eye of the Great Spirit."

Introductions were the next order of business, as it was the first time for the braves to meet (dad's already met a few times). In order to earn a feather for our vests, each tribe member must be able to recite the real first and last names, along with the Indian name, of each tribe member. One-by-one, the little braves stood tall and proudly announced who they were, and what their dad's names were. Even more importantly, braves declared to the tribe what they did to earn their Wampum ($1) prior to the meeting. Chores ranged from doing yardwork, cleaning up rooms, picking up clothes, and even disposing of dirty diapers!

Each tribe member earned an Orange feather at the meeting by planning, preparing and cleaning up after a special dinner made for the mom's prior to our meeting. While some meals were surely mom favorites, there were a few "easy prep" pasta meals, a mean steak dinner, and some special dessert favorites that the dad's may have liked more. The quality time spent together was special. Some day, we hope to have vests as full as our tribe sponsors - Papa Otter and Playful Otter (Kevin and Hoban Carney).

The craft activity, which is a part of each tribe meeting, consisted of building model airplanes. Fighter jets, bombers and other similar models captured the interests of the braves. A story by the tribe "Sand Painter" (Dusty - Screaming Toad) about big and little snakes left mouths agape - just in time for cookies and drinks.

The tribe agreed to vote on an official name of the tribe over the next week - the official winner became the name of this site - "The Leaning Teepees". We learned that our tribe must come up with a tribal cheer to share at Longhouse in a few weeks (a camping event with the dad's and braves). After a ceremonial closing pledge - the braves departed - planes in hand - looking ahead to our next meeting.