Tribal Meeting Ceremony

The following is a collection of scripts used for the Tribal Meeting. Pick one and use it verbatim or adapt it for your tribes purposes!

Ceremony One

This script calls for one children's roll: the Drum Beater (host little brave). Adult rolls are for the Chief and Wampum Bearer as well as the Tally Keeper.

Drum Beater - The Drum Beater gives the drum 12 beats. During this time, the fathers and sons form a double circle with sons standing in front of their fathers who are also standing. When all is silent we begin.

Chief: Great Spirit, as we gather for the Council of the Mighty <Your> Tribe, join us with your Spirit and Guide us. Grant us wisdom and understanding. We give thanks for our loved ones, for the beauty of the Earth and for the Creator's blessings. Oh Great Spirit, hear our words.

Drum Beater - beats the drum twice.

Chief: What is the slogan of the Indian Guides?

All: Pals Forever.

Chief: What is the purpose of the Indian Guide program?

All: To foster understanding and companionship between father and son.

Chief: This council is now open. Be seated.
(Each parent takes a seat on the floor with the child in front.)

Chief: Tally-keeper, will you take the roll while the Wampum Bearer collects the dues and calls for scouting reports?"

The children pay money they have earned, telling how they obtained the money and report on any special things that occurred during the time between meetings, especially if they may receive a merit award for the action. Each child should have a turn to speak and should be encouraged to talk.

Tally-keeper: Chief, the roll has been called."

Wampum Bearer: "Chief, the dues are collected and the scouting reports received."

Chief: Chief's talk. Probably going through the aims of the guides, 1 each meeting. Real short.

General Business. This should be kept to 5 minutes or less.

Craft or other activity.

Refreshments.

Story. This should reflect the theme of the chief's talk.

Closing - All, standing in the double circle again: And now (index finger pointing to ground), may the Great Spirit (all fingers circling up, imitating smoke) of all good spirits (arms outstretched) be with (arms coming in close) you (all fingers pointing across the circle), now (all fingers pointing down) and forever more (action shooting a bow and arrow.)

Chief: Great Spirit, guide us until we meet again.

Ceremony Two

This script calls for several children's rolls: Drum Beater (host little brave) and young tally keeper (tally keeper's son). Adult rolls are for the Chief and Wampum Bearer as well as the host brave.

Chief: Drum Beater, beat the drum to call the Tribe to Order

Drum Beater: strikes the drum slowly 10 times

Chief: Oh Great Spirit, as we gather for this Council, be with us and guide us. Grant us wisdom and understanding that we may do those things which are pleasing to you.

Chief: Young Braves, what is an Indian Guide?

Braves: A boy with a dad like mine.

Chief: What is the slogan of the Indian Guides?

Tribe: Pal's Forever

Chief: What is the purpose of the Indian Guides?

Tribe: To foster companionship of father and son.

Chief: What are the aims of the Indian Guides?

Tribe: To be clean in body and pure in heart.
To be "Pals Forever" with my father/son.
To love the sacred circle of my family.
To be attentive while others speak.
To love my neighbor as myself.
To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirit's work
in forest, field, and stream.

Chief: Drum Beater, what are the duties of your office?

Drum Beater: The duties of the Drum Beater are to beat the drum to call the meeting to order.

Chief: Young Tally Keeper, read the Birch Bark Scroll.

Young Tally Keeper calls the roll.

Young Tally Keeper: Chief, the roll is taken. I Count ___ Big Braves and ___ Little Braves.

Chief: Drum Beater, beat the drum once for every little brave.

Drum Beater strikes the drum slowly once fore each little brave present.

Chief: Drum Beater, pass the talking stick so each princess can give his scouting report.

Each Brave Reports on a good deed or activity since the last meeting.

Chief: Young Wampum Bearer, will you collect the dues?

Wampum Bearer collects the dues and passes them to the Treasurer.

Wampum Bearer: Chief, the scouting reports were heard and the dues collected, the money is well earned.

Chief: What Little Brave has earned an award?

Chief presents any awards earned.

Chief: ______ (Indian Name of Host Brave), will you lead us for the rest of the meeting

Craft, Refreshments, Story, etc.

Chief: Would the Tribe please prepare for the closing ceremony

Closing - All, standing in the double circle, sons in front of dads: And now (index finger pointing to ground), may the Great Spirit (all fingers circling up, imitating smoke) of all good spirits (arms outstretched) be with (arms coming in close) you (all fingers pointing across the circle), now (all fingers pointing down) and forever more (action shooting a bow and arrow.)

Ceremony Three

This script calls for several children's rolls: Drum Beater (host little brave), young tally keeper (tally keeper's son) and an Indian Runner (next host little brave). Adult rolls are for the Chief and Wampum Bearer as well as the host brave.

Chief: Drum Beater, beat the drum to call the Tribe to Order

Drum Beater: strikes the drum slowly 10 times

Chief: Great Spirit, as we gather for the Council of the Mighty <Your> Tribe, join us with your Spirit and Guide us. Grant us wisdom and understanding. We give thanks for our loved ones, for the beauty of the Earth and for the Creator's blessings. Oh Great Spirit, hear our words.

Drum Beater - beats the drum twice.

Chief: Young Braves, what is an Indian Guide?

Braves: A boy with a dad like mine.

Chief: What is the slogan of the Indian Guides?

Tribe: Pal's Forever

Chief: What is the purpose of the Indian Guides?

Tribe: To foster companionship of father and son.

Chief: What are the aims of the Indian Guides?

Tribe: To be clean in body and pure in heart.
To be "Pals Forever" with my father/son.
To love the sacred circle of my family.
To be attentive while others speak.
To love my neighbor as myself.
To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirit's work
in forest, field, and stream.

Chief: Drum Beater, what are the duties of your office?

Drum Beater: The duties of the Drum Beater are to beat the drum to call the meeting to order.

Chief: Indian Runner, what are the duties of your office?

Indian Runner: To protect and preserve the tribal property until I pass it on to the next Indian Runner.

Chief: Young Tally Keeper, read the Birch Bark Scroll.

Young Tally Keeper calls the roll using Indian Names. Big and little braves respond together with YATAHE when their name is called.

Young Tally Keeper: Chief, the roll is taken. I Count ___ Big Braves and ___ Little Braves.

Chief: Drum Beater, beat the drum once for every little brave.

Drum Beater strikes the drum slowly once fore each little brave present.

Chief: Wampum Bearer, pass the wampum bag so each princess can present his scouting report and give his dues.

The children pay money they have earned, telling how they obtained the money and report on any special things that occurred during the time between meetings, especially if they may receive a merit award for the action. Each child should have a turn to speak and should be encouraged to talk.

Wampum Bearer: Chief, the scouting reports were heard and the dues collected, the money is well earned.

Chief: ______ (Indian Name of Host Brave), will you lead us for the rest of the meeting.

General Business, Craft, Refreshments, Story, Lesson…

Chief: Would the Tribe please prepare for the closing ceremony

Closing - All, standing in the double circle, sons in front of dads: And now (index finger pointing to ground), may the Great Spirit (all fingers circling up, imitating smoke) of all good spirits (arms outstretched) be with (arms coming in close) you (all fingers pointing across the circle), now (all fingers pointing down) and forever more (action shooting a bow and arrow.)

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