MANATAKA
CELEBRATION
Verna Lee Hinegardner
Poet Laureate of Arkansas
I think that in a
former life
this Indian, young and sweet
had to learn the agonies
that come with harsh defeat.
I think I walked the torture trail
while sharp rocks tore my feet;
I think I found boiled rabbit bones
and muscadines to eat.
Remember
Manataka, Place of Peace,
with weapons laid aside, how war can cease?
I heard about
The Gathering
right here in my home town
and vowed I would attend it all
until the moon went down.
I visited the Longhouse and
laid some wampum down
for tickets to attend programs;
then I walked around.
Drink Manataka
water to regain
good health; take thermal baths for pain.
Precious
children, Sweet Magnolias,
dressed in festive outfits share
hymns they learned back home at Mission.
sang about God's loving care
sang in native tongue and English
sang their hearts out, unaware
the audience tossed dollars in.
they closed with the "Lord's Prayer."
Manataka, land
of apple blossoms, pine,
mockingbirds and loving words,
you are mine.
Storyteller,
Gayle Ross, Cherokee,
told the story of creation,
how there once was total darkness
no light to see the sun
how they called a council meeting
and solve the
situation.
how animals, by vote,
made this
a "half dark, half light" nation.
Many hints we learned in tribes can still
solve world problems yet today - and will.
Suddenly the dancing started.
dancers slow as snail's pace
fancy Dancers fast as lighting
twirling, whirling, danced with grace
as Bill Miller shared his hit songs while
a Ghost Dance etched his face.
tribes arrived from Arizona,
Canada and everyplace!
They recalled
ancestral stories;
they recount hardships, glories.
Standing Bear
in bear attire told how
tribes could visit without fear,
how warriors from all nations
smoked, together, peace pipes here
vowed Manataka must be scared
for all tribes who traveled near
pledged each trail to Manataka
would hold our spirits dear.
Manataka, Place
of Peace, hold this day;
may we always, for forever, share The Way.
Yes, I'm sure I
once was Indian.
for blood beating in my heart
at this Great Full Circle Meeting
tells me we must never part
from traditions of our fathers
or tom-tom tales that start
when tomahawks and hatchets
show our heartache is art.
Come to
Manataka; let your spirit fly;
Indians call it
"Place of Peace." So do I.
Vera Lee
Hindgardner
Poet Laureate of
Arkansas
The Hot Springs Art Center & Manataka American Indian Council
Present
CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICA
Featured
Performers
Top Recording Artist
BILL MILLER
Cherokee Storyteller
GAYLE ROSS
Dance Companies
GREAT AMERICAN
INDIAN DANCE
COMPANY
ECHOES OF
EARTH
& SKY
Singers
SELECT
CHILDREN'S'
CHOIR
SPONSORED BY
THE SENTINEL RECORD
TRAVEL HOST MAGAZINE
KLAZ RADIO
On
June 30, 2000
thousands of people gathered in Arkansas at the
Hot Springs Civic & Convention Center to witness the
"FULL
CIRCLE Celebration of Native America"
For the first time in over 200 years, American Indians
came together to celebrate the sacred Place of Peace,
Manataka.
The Osage, Cherokee, Keetoowah, Cheyenne, Lakota, Dineh,
Apache, Ocalie, Ute, Choctaw, Inuit and many other nations were
represented
"...No
other event I attended in my life moved my heart the way Full Circle
did…"
"...A
wonderful, colorful and joyful Full Circle - it was amazing…"
"...It
was a spiritual experience, entertainment extravaganza and
educational!..."
The
event generated renewed interest in the stories of Manataka.
It produced an outpouring of love for American Indian
culture.
It gave us hope for the Great Gathering where we become One
Nation!
READ
WE ARE THE PEOPLE
OF THE
LONGHOUSE