On the weekend of June 8-10, I attended the 150th White Earth Annual Powwow. I brought with me the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) eagle staff. This is an eagle staff my wife and I made from my dream vision and gifted to the organization in 2017. It was created with love and hope from a cancer survivor and a caregiver. The White Earth powwow was an inauguration of sorts – it was the first time that the eagle staff was brought into an outdoor powwow. One of the purposes of eagle staffs is they represent veterans, community organizations, or families. They are the flags of our nations and our people. As such, they lead each Grand Entry at powwows. Following Grand Entry, the first song sung is an eagle staff song that honors the staffs. Like most powwows, Native veterans form a strong presence. They are recognized and honored as Ogichidaag (Warriors) - those who have protected and defended our homelands. White Earth was no exception. For me, it was a powerful experience to be among so many veterans, many of whom were combat vets. I stood in a line with veteran eagle staffs. Behind us was the color guard with flags representing each branch of service, veteran organization flags, tribal flag, and other flags that included the American, Canadian, POW, and KIA flags. As I stood in line, I thought about the eagle staff I was holding. Although the staff didn’t represent veterans per se, it represented veterans of a different sort – Amogo Ogichidaag (Cancer Warriors) who are engaged in an endless war against a ruthless enemy, one who is cunning, baffling, and powerful. Our bodies bear the scars of that war, surgical scars that crisscross our bodies to find The Beast within. Our scars are our Purple Hearts that are earned only in battle. Like a battlefield, many have fallen, yet many have survived. This enemy of ours doesn’t recognize age or race. It shows no mercy for child, adult, or elder. Its weapons come in many shapes and forms. Our weapons are love and hope. It’s a daunting battle but many of us persevere. And we persevere because we cherish life. On a hot June day, the meaning of the eagle staff came to me. We too are ogichidaag. © Robert DesJarlait, 2018
Photo by Joe Marcel Thunder
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Robert Desjarlait
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