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■ What’s In A Name?
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■ Echoes From The Land
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February 2013
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Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
Volume 3, Issue 1
The Buffalo Trace
Founded in 2011  Volume 3, Issue 1  February, 2013
Inside
2
3
4
5
9
The Winter
Count
The Winner
is . . . ?
11
13
15
Mannaseh at
The UoS
Clothes
Make the
(Tribes)Man
The Final Spotlight
on Coup
Echoes from
the Land Clothing
Names by
the Numbers
The Craft
Circle
The Tribe of Mannaseh is a
leadership program of the
Lewis & Clark Council, in
Southern Illinois.
Our ceremonies, customs
and traditions are based on
our understanding of
Native American folklore.
The purpose of Mannaseh is
three-fold:
 To reinforce the ideals of
Scouting as found in the
Boy Scout Oath and Law.
 To promote continued,
active participation in
Scouting.
 To encourage annual
attendance in Summer
Camp programs of the
Lewis & Clark Council.
Chief
Joins The Fires
Alicia Lifrak
Presiding Chieftain
Singing Bear
Evelyn Duncan
Directing Medicine Man
Shows The Way
Rick Jenkins
Recording Chieftain
Old Gray Bear
Leo Desmond
Wintertime Is Preparation Time!
Greetings Tribesmen! Welcome to 2013 and our third year of publication. Throughout this issue
you'll notice a recurring theme involving costuming and tribal names. This is intentional. First,
because unit leaders expressed a need for more information on these topics, but also because this
is the perfect time of the year to start preparing for the coming summer season.
On the costuming front we offer several interesting articles. This month's Echoes article looks at
the type of clothing worn by the Native Americans in the Great Lakes and Prairie regions while The
Craft Circle will guide you to online information to assist your efforts in making or updating your
costume items. In addition you'll find all of this information -- and more -- on the tribal website.
Finally we feature the Scouts of Troop 39 (Trenton, IL) as they work on their regalia during one of
their annual costuming workshops.
The article entitled "What's In A Name?" looks at some of the guidelines involved in naming, plus a
key to tracing family lineages within the tribe. The associated “By the Numbers” article offers a
lighthearted look at some of the more popular totems and attributes in tribal naming. As a
companion to these articles, a listing of all current tribal names has been posted on the Mannaseh
website. Unit leaders are encouraged to visit the site to obtain a little "inspiration fodder" as they
contemplate names for their 2013 candidates.
Of course, February also means it's time for The Winter Count, our Recording Chieftain's annual
review of the previous summer session and the "State of the Tribe". Be sure to check it out and
read about the record-setting year that was 2012. Along the way, check out the articles on our
tribal t-shirt contest, University of Scouting efforts, new props for the ceremonial grounds and the
final Spotlight on Coup article. As you'll see, there are a lot of tribal activities occurring outside of
camp and I can promise you there are many more details and stories to be told. Stay informed -Be active -- Spread the Word -- Be Proud!
In Friendship and Warmth,
Bill Tasso
Medicine Man Wise Buffalo
Editor
ON THE COVER: The “Last Stand” from the First People website:
Pictures/buffalo_pg1.html#Buffalo_Pictures_4
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-
The Buffalo Trace is published quarterly (February, May, August and November), and at other times as deemed
necessary, each year as a source of news and information on the Tribe of Mannaseh, the honor camping society of the
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA. Articles and photos are accepted from tribesmen for publication however due to space
limitations and/or time constraints, unsolicited materials may not be used.
Address all written correspondence to:
The Tribe of Mannaseh
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
335 West Main Street
Belleville, IL 62220
For additional information on the Tribe of Mannaseh, please
visit the following websites:
www.mannaseh.org
www.lewisandclarkbsa.org/camping/campinfo/mannaseh.aspx
Or, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

An Annual Report from the Recording Chieftain
The 2012 Summer Camp season was not only very successful for the Tribe of
Mannaseh, it was our second-best year ever! We set new records for Kit Fox
recognitions, established new milestones for inductions and participation, and
honored the greatest number of Silver Coup recipients in a single season. In
fact, we are experiencing a growth trend in every area of the tribe over the four
year period of 2009-2012. It takes many elements to make a successful season,
so let’s take a look at several of them by category.
Unit Involvement
A total of 55 units attended the four Summer Camp sessions at Camp Joy this
year. Of those, 36 (to include two out of council troops) participated in the
Mannaseh program. In other words, two-thirds (65%) of the units in camp
chose to be involved with the program. We don’t presently have the data to
review how this stacks up with previous years, but while there’s certainly room
to improve here, a 65% participation rate is a solid performance!
Recording Chieftain, Old Gray Bear, Leo Desmond
Weekly Breakout
Although the weekly participation varies each week with camp
attendance, it’s still interesting to look at the total numbers by
week. This year the honor of "Best Week" goes to third week.
Total Kit Fox, Braves and Adults Called
Week 1:
Week 2:
29
134
Week 3:
Week 4:
154
73
Kit Fox Recognitions
Inductions
The tribe inducted 122 Braves and 32 Adult Warriors for a
total of 154 new tribesmen (not including Kit Fox). Although
that is only the fourth highest number of Braves ever
received, the 32 new adult tribesmen is the second most
we’ve ever inducted and it rivals our best year (2001) when
we accepted a total of 35 Adult Warriors!
Annual Inductions in Ranked Order
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
The tribe saw its third consecutive increase, and third straight
record number of Kit Fox recognitions (117). Furthermore,
Week 3 saw the single largest recognition of Kit Foxes ever! A
total of 50 Scouts were decorated with the red arrowhead
marking them among those who show promise to one day
become a member of the Tribe.
Kit Fox Recognitions 2000 - 2012
140
120
100
80
60
Year
2001
2004
2012
2002
2005
2010
2003
2007
2008
2006
2011
2009
Inductions
234
156
154
146
138
131
129
117
112
109
87
80
Elevations
40
20
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
A total number of 111Tribesmen were advanced this year, (98
th
youth and 13 adults) making it our 5 best year for elevations.
nd
However, it was also the 2 best year in terms of Youth
Warriors advanced to Firebuilder. A full summary of all
advanc
Please see The Winter Count on Page 7
The Tribe of Mannaseh
The Tribe of Mannaseh is pleased to announce that Trevor Straeter,
Firebuilder Skillful Running Deer is the winner of the Tribe’s recent Patch and
T-Shirt design contest.
As you can see, Trevor used the new
ceremonial totem as the basis of his
design, a feature that was well
received by the logo contest
committee which was composed of
two youth, and two adult members,
of the tribe.
The Tribal Logo committee will now
work with Trevor to adapt his design
for use in tribal patches and apparel
which, of course, will be available for
purchase at the Trading Post during
the Summer Camp.
Firebuilder Skillful Running Deer, Trevor
Straeter of Troop 281
The Council of Chieftains and the Tribal Council thank all those who
participated in this first-ever design contest and they applaud Trevor’s efforts.
How! How!
Thanks to the efforts of Sachem Iron Trail (Chuck Heinzl) the
tribe now possesses three decorative shields to be used
during Mannaseh activities. Chuck purchased the shields from
the estate sale of a good friend and donated them to the Tribe
to use as we see fit. Not much is known about them other
than they were apparently painted by “W.W. Platta” and are
labeled as scenes from the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
The shields will be used to decorate the Mannaseh Ring
durinth
3 | February 2013
during our ceremonies this Summer, and are sure to increase
the wonder and awe of candidates and tribesmen alike as
they enter the fire-lit ring.
Our tribal leaders are discussing various ways to properly
display these shields, but would also like to know more about
them. If you have any information on their background or the
artist, please contact Chieftain Old Gray Bear (Leo Desmond)
at [email protected].
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
The Tribe of Mannaseh at
he tibe made its’ annual appearance on the University of
Scouting midway with members of the Council of Chieftains
and Tribal Council on hand to man the booth, meet with
tribesmen and prospective candidates, and discuss the
program with interested Scouters and parents.
A variety of tribal regalia and equipment, to include the new
shields (see article on page 3) was on display to help tell the
Mannaseh story.
Runner Silver Wolf, Jay O’Brien discusses the upcoming summer
ceremonies with Presiding Chieftain Singing Bear, Evelyn Duncan.
Something to warm our editor’s heart - many visitors took the
time to read past issues of the Buffalo Trace on display at the
tribal booth.
Two visitors paused to smile for the camera. Both were very
interested in the regalia and props on display and found the tribal
program very interesting.
s always, it was a wonderful experience to meet and
speak with all of the visitors and we thoroughly enjoyed
explaining the many features of the tribal program along
with the changes taking place this year. We look forward to
seeing everyone again at one of the three Call-Outs this year,
and at the first-ever Induction Weekend to be held on July
26-27 (Fri and Sat only). For the dates of all other tribal
activities this year, see the calendar on page 9.
February 2013 |
4
The Tribe of Mannaseh
Troop 39
of Trenton, IL
knows that . . .
clOthes
Make the
(tribes)m n
The Scouts and leaders of Troop 39 held a
workshop for their tribesmen to make
costume items for the upcoming Mannaseh
activities this summer. All troop tribesmen,
to include Kit Fox, were invited to come and
craft items required for their current
rank/station as well as any articles necessary
for advancement. Over the span of a few
hours, all the Scouts present were able to
make all the items they needed -- another
successful costuming session for Troop 39.
Kit Fox Noah Marlar shows off two feathers that he looks forward
to wearing someday. Although they are not tribesmen yet, Troop
39 encourages their Kit Fox to participate in events such as these
to inspire them to work towards becoming members of the tribe.
Troop Committee Member, Steve Spihlman, Medicine Man Young
Spirited Eagle shows Collin Henderson, Warrior Silent Climbing
Lynx how to wrap leather around the handle of a fan.
Nathan Kunz, Runner Spirited Runner shows off his deer-toe
bandolier. Deer toes were an early Native American version of
bells - an item near and dear to any Runner.
5 | February 2013
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
Zach Elmore, Warrior Vanishing Red Fox uses hot glue to attach
leather stripping onto the handle of his tribal fan.
Lots of visual aids! Troop Tribesmen brought along their
completed costume items to provide examples and inspiration.
Andrew Gajewski, Warrior Deep Squawking Owl, holds very still as
his Dad, Assistant Scoutmaster Kurt Gajewski, pins material
together to make a vest.
Scoutmaster Wayne Marlar, Adult Warrior, Great Knotted Owl,
helps Collin Henderson, Warrior Silent Climbing Lynx, glue turkey
tail feathers into a fan handle.
The tribal costuming requirements are
designed to enable tribesmen to build their
costumes over several years, and it does not
require a lot of money - many items can be
fashioned with inexpensive items found
around the home. In addition, the skills
required are very minimal. With a few
examples, and perhaps a template, anyone
can build exactly what they need!
One key ingredient for success - lots of templates. Shown here is
a 3-pc wooden pattern (left) for a bandolier-styled bag alongside
the finished product. Troop 39 also has templates for fan
handles, shirts and leather headbands for Braves and Warriors.
What is your unit doing to prepare
for the 2013 Ceremonies?
Contact us and let us know!
February 2013 |
6
The Tribe of Mannaseh

Continued from page 2
Elevations - cont’d
advancements by rank and station is shown below:
Youth Advancements
Youth Warriors - 60
Firebuilders - 24
Tom-Tom Beaters - 7
Runners - 4
Shaman - 3
Adult Advancements
Sachems - 5
Keepers of the Wampum - 4
Sagamores - 3
Chieftain - 1 (May)
Total Participation
By combining the numbers for our Kit Fox recognitions, youth
and adult inductions, and all elevations we arrive at what we
call our total participation for the year. In 2012, we had a
nd
total of 382 total participants making it the 2 best year ever!
Ranked Annual Participation
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Year
2001
2012
2004
2008
2006
2010
2007
2005
2003
2011
2002
2009
Inductions
524
382
367
331
326
324
320
302
290
289
273
245
Silver Coup
A record number of tribesmen were honored with the award
of the Chieftain's (Silver) Coup for exemplary service to the
tribe. Two of this year’s recipients were youth: Firebuilder
Friendly Swimmer, Ryan Alexander and Shaman Gatherer of
the Arrow, David Hermerding. For a list of all 2012 honorees,
please see the August 2012 edition of the Buffalo Trace.
Lodge of Many Colors
This year the tribe witnessed our first member complete (i.e.;
worked) all the youth paint stations and receive an elevation
to the tribal council. Shaman Strong Hands, Alex Lapp, an 8year veteran of Camp Joy, is the first tribesman to complete
this feat. Amazingly, this achievement, now known as the
Lodge of Many Colors, went unnoticed until the tribal data
stewards began tabulating the data at the end of the summer
season. However, rest assured we will be more vigilant in the
future and will recognize Alex publicly at the next opportunity.
Additionally, two youth tribesmen were elevated to the
station of Shaman (Zach Madej, Shaman Blue Spinner, and
Benji Wolff, Shaman Resting Sparrow) thereby becoming our
newest members of the Third Order. For a full explanation of
7 | February 2013
this new tribal honor, and its stages, please see the November
2012 edition of the Buffalo Trace.
Comparison to Mic-O-Say
As we did last year, we reviewed the participation rates in the
Tribe of Mic-O-Say to compare the trends we're seeing here in
Mannaseh. The 2011 participation rates for the Pony Express
Council (St Joseph, MO) group showed they were experiencing
a growth trend, while the Heart of America Council (Kansas
City, MO) group was experiencing a decline. The review of the
2012 number shows a continuation of those patterns. In
2012, the St. Joseph group participation rose from 978 to
1034, an increase of 56 tribesmen, thus giving them an
average growth rate of nearly 4.5% each year for the period
2009-2012. On the other hand, the Kansas City group once
again saw their participation slip, although only slightly this
year, from 3640 to 3631 - a decrease of 9 tribesmen. This
continues a steady decline of approximately 1% annually in
participation numbers since 2009. However, as we noted last
year, the Kansas City group continues to enjoy participation
rates in excess of 3000 per year - far larger than the St. Joseph
group and Mannaseh combined.
The State of the Tribe
So what is the overall health of the Tribe? In a word:
exceptional. We continue to see incredible numbers in our Kit
Fox recognitions, our Brave and Adult Warrior inductions are
strong, and participation continues to grow.
In fact, although it may be too early to say for certain, all
indications are that we are in a growth trend. For the period
of 2009 to 2012 our Kit Fox recognitions have increased by
approximately 12% each year. Inductions of Braves are up
79% and Adult Warrior numbers have been growing by an
average of nearly 40%. Total participation has expanded by
an average of 16% each year over the same period. In other
words, all areas of participation in the program have been
trending upward for the past three years.
However, we're not content to rest on these successes. We
want to understand: 1.) what we're doing right (and keep
doing it), and 2.) what we need to change (to improve even
more). The feedback discussions held at camp last year (see
the article the November 2012 Buffalo Trace) gave us the
information we need to accomplish these tasks, and the tribal
leadership is already at work to implement some of the
suggestions we received. More work lies ahead but at the
moment “It is well” and therefore we will “Carry on!”
- Leo Desmond
Chieftain Old Gray Bear
Recording Chieftain
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
Chief Scout Executive Wayne Brock, Mic-O-Say’s newest Honorary Chieftain
The Tribe of Manasseh congratulates the BSA Chief Scout
Executive, Wayne Brock, on his selection as Honorary
Chieftain, Eagle of the Croatan, in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say
(Heart of America Council).
Vigil Honor and the Distinguished Service Award, and he
received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from East
Carolina University.
Mr. Brock began his BSA
career in 1972 as a district
executive in New Bern, NC,
and then served on the staff
of the Great Smoky Mountain
council in Knoxville, TN. He
also served successfully as
Scout Executive in Athens,
GA; Scout Executive in
Orlando, FL; the Director of
the Southern Region and as
an Assistant Chief Scout
Executive. In 2009, he was
selected as the Deputy Chief
Scout Executive, serving as
st
the BSA’s Chief Operating Officer.
the On May 21 , 2012, Mr.
Brock was selected as the BSA’s 12th Chief Scout Executive, a
st
role he assumed on Sept. 1 , 2012.
The Tribe of Mannaseh
was developed in 2001 by
several adult members of
Mic-O-Say using a blend
of the programs in Kansas
City and St. Joseph, MO.
Together with them we
share the common bond
of reinforcing the ideals of
the Scout Oath and Law,
promoting a continued
active participation in
Scouting and encouraging
on-going attendance in
Summer Camp programs.
Among his other honors, he is also a recipient of the
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, the Order of the Arrow’s
Disti
Honorary Mic-O-Say Chieftain,
Eagle of the Croatan, Wayne Brock.
We salute the Tribe of Mic-O-Say's newest Honorary Chieftain
and applaud his support of supplemental summer camp honor
programs. How-How!
Press releases from the BSA National Council and the Heart of
America’s Tribe of Mic-O-Say were used to compile this article.
Nisha Kittan Lodge 114 Order of the Arrow
Invites All Boy Scouts and Leaders to the 2013
Native American Cultural Weekend
March 15th - 17th 2013 at Camp Joy
Come and Learn About: Chokers, Moccasins, Hand
Drums, Turkey Feather Fans, Deer Hoof Bandoliers,
Rattles, Beadwork (Lane, Loom and Gourd Stitch), Dancing,
Drumming, Singing, Pow Wows, Games and more!
The lodge is in need of Scouts and Scouters to staff the kitchen and
assist with the activities. Anyone interested in helping is asked to
contact “Pirate” Mike at: (618) 799-9202 or (618) 774-2819.
Your assistance in making this event a success is appreciated!
February 2013 |
8
The Tribe of Mannaseh
In this installment we conclude our series on the various Mannaseh coup with a look at the Annual Coup otherwise known as
the Camper and Staff Coup. Normally we would begin with the coup closest to our claws; however the placement of these are
left to the individual tribesman's discretion -- as long as they are worn above all other coup.
Camper Coup
Round, of any material and any combination of colors is acceptable. One pair is
awarded to any Warrior for each calendar year he/she attends a council summer
camp. Only one pair of Camper Coup or Staff Coup can be earned in any given
year. Camper are not awarded for the year a Tribesman becomes a Warrior.
Staff Coup
Square, of any material and any combination of colors is acceptable. One pair is
awarded to any Warrior who serves as council camp staff member for at least two
full sessions. Only one pair of coup (Camper or Staff) can be earned in any given
year. Braves on Camp Staff may add them, retroactively, after they become a
Warrior.
All tribesmen are reminded to wear their claws and coup at all Scouting functions
throughout the year to continually remind us of our commitment to the Tribe and the fulfillment of our Resolutions.
SPRING EVENT
● May 18, Mannaseh Fun Day @ Camp Joy
SUMMER CAMP EVENTS
● June 11, Session 1 Mannaseh Callout *
● June 18, Session 2 Mannaseh Callout *
● June 25, Session 3 Mannaseh Callout *
* All candidates, and those qualifying for elevation,
must attend the Friendship Weekend (see below)
to complete their induction/advancement.
LATE SUMMER EVENT
● July 26-27, Mannaseh Friendship Weekend**
(Tribal Inductions & Advancements)
** A second Friendship Weekend will be held in the
Spring of 2014; more details to be announced
at a later date.
at a later date.
9 | February 2013
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
WHAT’S IN A NAME
“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
- Juliet to Romeo
To the casual observer, the variety of adjectives within tribal
names can seem overwhelming. Is Young White-tailed Buck
related to Great White-tailed Buck? What makes Wise Blue
Squirrel so wise and Least Spring Chicken so . . . well, least?
Actually although those terms seem to be oft-repeated they
are intended to be age delineations for family members in
Mannaseh. Therefore in response to the first question, yes
they're related and to the second question Wise Blue Squirrel
is the oldest member of the Blue Squirrel tribal family while
Least Spring Chicken is the youngest of that family.
Still confused? Let's take a hypothetical family of tribesmen.
Jimmy Jones, a First Class Scout, and his dad Fred attend Camp
Joy one summer and both are inducted into the Tribe. Jimmy
receives the name of Spotted Lizard while Fred is named Wise
Spotted Lizard. This marks Fred as Jimmy's elder.
Now, Jimmy and Fred are so enthusiastic about the program,
that Jimmy's grandfather, Frank, registers as a volunteer and
attends camp the following year. There he is inducted as
Great Spotted Lizard -- Fred and Jimmy's elder.
Fast forward several years and Jim (as he's now known)
returns to Camp Joy with his son Tommy who is subsequently
inducted into the tribe as Young Spotted Lizard. Thus, the
tribal name of Spotted Lizard spans four generations of the
Jones family. Subsequent generations could receive the name
of Lesser Spotted Lizard (fifth generation) and Least Spotted
Lizard (sixth generation). Thus, it's possible to determine a
tribesman's lineage through the root word and “age”
attribute.
Of course, this naming convention is not universally applied
within the program. In some cases, families may use simple
variations on a name, for example: Smiling Blue Jay, Laughing
Blue Jay, Spirited Blue Jay, etc. Still other families have tribal
names completely different from one another - there's no
requirement to use the "age" prefixes.
Basic Guidelines for Naming
1. It is important to understand foremost that Mannaseh
tribal names are NOT Indian names. All names are given in
English with no attempt to translate them to any Native
American language or dialect. This, however, does not
preclude the use of commonly used words of Native American
origin.
2. Names of historic Native American leaders, or of revered
members of similar Scouting honor societies, will normally not
be permitted.
3. Mannaseh tribal names are formed around a “root” word
that characterizes a trait, experience or interest of the
tribesman. Commonly selected root words may be animals,
plants, items of the natural world, or those of man-made
origin. Additional modifiers are then added to the root word
to tailor it to the tribesman.
4. Tribal names will not be duplicated. Although it is possible
that some names may be similar, every attempt will be made
to ensure each tribesman has a unique name.
5. Members of similar Scout honor societies, when accepted
for membership in Mannaseh, can use previously assigned
tribal names provided it is not already in use, and does not
violate the naming restrictions imposed by the Mannaseh
leadership.
As William Shakespeare noted in his play, Romeo and Juliet,
one’s name is far less important than the qualities of the
person to whom it is assigned. With a little careful planning
and thought, the tribal name can be an enjoyable reflection of
the tribesman, and one that he or she is proud to claim.
February 2013 |
10
The Tribe of Mannaseh
Clothing Styles & Designs of the Great Lakes & Prairie
Although the Tribe of Mannaseh does not seek to portray any
particular tribe, many members wonder about the proper
design for their costume items. Since the BSA recommends
that Scouts learn about the tribes that lived in their local area,
a good place to start is with the tribes that called Illinois their
home, which includes the Inoca (llinois), Miami, Fox, Kickapoo
Piankashaw, Mascouten, Ioway, Potawatomi, Sauk, Shawnee,
Wea, and Winnebago.
“Their garments consist only of skins; the
women are always clad very modestly and
very becomingly,”
- Jacques Marquette, 1674
Unfortunately the written accounts left to us by the French,
and other explorers, sheds little light on the clothing worn by
the Native Americans they encountered. This is due to a few
reasons. First, cataloging the native cultures was not their
primary goal. The French objectives ranged from seeking a
route to Asia, exploring and securing lands for commerce (fur
trade) and, in the case of the Jesuits, to establish missions and
spread Christianity to the Native Americans.
Secondly, the presence of European traders, who were willing
to trade “wonderous” items for furs, drew members of many
tribes to the various forts and outposts throughout the Great
Lakes region. The resulting pan-Indian community was
presented a multitude of clothing styles, customs and
individual preferences. Additionally, the Native Americans
routinely traded among themselves, and often adopted
articles of clothing from both other natives and the
Europeans. Thus, it would have been virtually impossible to
record the clothing practices of any one tribe even if the
French had been interested in doing so.
Fortunately, this does not mean we are completely without
resources. Despite the specific tribal differences there was a
degree of commonality among the tribes of the Great Lakes
and prairie region. Prior to their contact with Europeans, the
native peoples wore leggings, breechcloth, moccasins, skirts,
and shirts made from hides. However after contact, they
began to wear trade items made from wool, linen, and cotton,
often in combination with items made from hides. The finer
it
11 | February 2013
items were probably worn only during special events but
simpler items, like trade shirts, were worn more frequently,
and in conjunction with items made of hide.
So, a costume based on the styles worn by any of the tribes
surrounding the Great Lakes would be appropriate for a
tribesman of Mannaseh. Given that, let’s take a look at some
of the items worn and used by those tribes. Note: since our
headdresses are already prescribed by rank or paint station,
we will skip over these regalia items.
th
Trade Shirts. In the 18
Century, trade shirts
made of calico, linen and
muslin were traded
(hence the name) to
both native men and
women in exchange for
furs and other goods.
The shirts were generally
made large and long (the
original one size-fits-all)
and ranged from very
simple to fancy and came
in a variety of solid and
printed colors.
The
ribbon shirts that are so
popular now are a relatively modern design and did not exist
po
at the time of contact with the Europeans.
Leggings. Both men and
women wore leggings.
Originally made of hide
material, these were
gradually replaced after
European contact with
ones made from blankets.
The two most common
styles were center-seam
(sewn in the back) and
the side seam and were
generally worn up to the
mid-thigh and held in
place with garters.
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
Tribesmen are reminded that if they choose to wear leggings
they must also wear a pair of shorts. Ladies may include
leggings in combination with a skirt or dress.
Note: BSA camp standards for clothing generally preclude the
use of breechclouts, and Mannaseh tribesmen are advised to
wear an apron either over a pair of shorts or pants.
Moccasins. Soft-soled, center-seamed moccasins made from
a single piece of leather (elk, deer or buffalo) were the most
widely used footwear among the Native Americans of the
Great Lakes and prairie regions. Worn by both men and
women, the moccasins were often decorated with beads,
porcupine quills, and even metal cones and fringe. The
patterns used for the designs varied from floral patterns to
geometric shapes, and in some cases combining the two.
Wrap-Around Skirt. Throughout
the eastern portion of the United
States, the most common form of
dress for native women was the
wrap-around skirt - a piece of
leather or trade cloth material that
wrapped (as the name suggests)
around the waist and hung to the
mid-calf of the leg. The skits were
typically held in place either with
ties, or a sash. The skirts were
often worn in conjunction with
leggings and varied in the amount
of
of decoration (beads, ribbon, fringe, silver or brass cones, etc.)
depending on its purpose (everyday or special occasion) and
the wearer’s preference.
Adornments.
A variety of items were worn by Native Americans, both
functional and decorative. A few of these are discussed here.
Necklaces. Prior to European
contact, Native American
necklaces were made of tube
bone and beads and decorated
with fur or feathers. During
the fur trade, necklaces were
made of multi-colored glass
trade beads from Italy and
Russia. The Native Americans
of the Great Lakes and prairie
regions tended to wear
necklaces in layers, or multistrands.
Breechclouts. A breechclout,
or breechcloth, was a long
narrow strip of material that
was worn between the legs
and passed up and over a
belt or string around the
waist to hold it in place.
Over time, as pants replaced
leggings, breechclouts began
to disappear. The modern
version of breechclouts is the
apron which is worn by
Native American dancers.
Gorgets. Pronounced gor-jit,
these metal plates were gifted
to Native American leaders
throughout the fur
thro
trade as a mark of
leadership
and
status. Over time
they lost their
special significance
and became a
common
trade
item, although the
Indians obviously
sti prized them highly. Gorgets came in brass and silver
still
varieties - brass was typically indicative of higher status - and
were either plain or stamped with the royal crests of the
bestowing country.
Please see Echoes on Page 16
February 2013 |
12
The Tribe of Mannaseh
4821 7258 9 48 12 6 74
5 96 0 1 30 9 671 1
9
6
3
7 061 214 78953 4 53
2
01 2 59 7 8 6 2189 0
6
1
0
3
8
1
9
7
0
4
2
1
7
9
7
6 3 2 6 4 08 6 52 3 8
Aside from being called out, a Tribesman's most anticipated
moment comes when he hears his tribal name uttered for the
first time. In that magical moment, he/she advanced from
being a mere candidate to someone with a tribal identity.
"Fiery", "Running", "Laughing" etc)? Well words for "fire"
appear in 48 different tribal names -- twice as many as for
"water" (24) but it still trails those that contain some version
of tree (or wood or acorn) which occurs in 81 names.
But no doubt soon after, each tribesman begins to wonder
how common or unique their name is. So it begs the
question, what is the most common totem, color or other
attribute? To answer these questions, the Buffalo Trace
recently conducted an analysis of the tribal database. Some
of the answers were truly surprising.
Who wins the battle of the compass directions? East (21) by a
wide margin over its nearest competitor, North (12).
For instance, if you were asked what is the most popular
animal totem, you possibly might have guessed "Eagle", but
you would be wrong. It's in the top ten (it's right in the middle
at number five), but "Bear" is number one. For colors, Blue is
the runaway favorite leading Red by a 2:1 margin.
So do we have any Blue Bears? Yup, two of 'em: Blue Polar
Bear and Running Blue Bear. However in a test of the second
place holders there are no Red Owls (or Red Bears), although
we have a Red Wolf, Famished Red Wolf, Red Hawk, Guiding
Red Hawk, Cheerful Red Eagle and Flying Red Eagle.
Of course many tribal names use terms like "Great", "Wise",
"Young" and "Least" to denote family lineage, so these
expressions are fairly common (more so among the younger
members), but what about other descriptive attributes (e.g.,
13 | February 2013
In terms of the elements "Air" is the clear winner if we include
weather terms like (wind, cloud, etc). Names using celestial
objects (sun, moon stars) have an impressive showing with 43
total occurrences, 30 of which use the word "Star".
Finally, what about the Scout Law? Well everything is covered
except for courteous, obedient and thrifty. Among those that
are used, “Helpful” is the clear winner and “Cheerful” the
relatively close runner-up.
Most of this data, plus some of the most popular attributes
across several different categories, are shown in the tables on
the opposite page.
Regardless of statistics like these, the fact is your tribal name
is unique because it was given to you as something symbolic
or special about you. Names are never retired, and are never
to be repeated, therefore in the history of the tribe there will
only be one of you!
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
Colors
Blue
123
Black
51
Green
34
Red
Animal
sBear 82
62
White
Scout Law
Trust(worthy)
34
Loyal
Friendly
1
21
North
12
Kind
10
Cheerful
West
Obedient
11
Wind
16
Thunder
15
Cloud
10
Lightning
8
Storm/Rain
4
Fish
Carp
1
Bass
4
Salmon/
Trout
Catfish
Clean
1
Reverent
1
Fire
43
Water
24
Air
16
13
Oak
16
Pine
20
3
Maple/
1
“Tree”
Lightning Bug/
Mosquito
2
Trees
Sequoia/
Bugs & Spiders
Spider
-
Brave
Earth
4
10
Elements
9
“Fish”
-
Thrifty
Weather
Snow
7
Courteous
East
South
15
2
1
Willow
3
1
62
Wolf
51
Hawk
43
Eagle
3
Helpful
Directions
2
Owl
42
Celestial
s Star 30
Sky
6
Sun
2
Moon
5
Age
Little
83
Young
40
Wise
11
Great
Least
26
10
Reptiles &
Amphibians
Turtle
17
Snake
9
Frog
6
Cobra
13
Lizard
4
Anaconda/
Python/
Rattler
Gecko/
3
2
Iguana
Salamander
1
February 2013 |
14
The Tribe of Mannaseh
or many, the allure of the Mannaseh program is the
opportunity to assemble and wear a tribal costume. While it's
certainly easy to purchase all the items needed, one of the
unofficial aims of the program is to encourage all members to
make their own items as a means of not only learning about
Native American culture, but to actually bring it to life.
Another benefit of making your own items is economics.
Many tribesmen have found they can craft great-looking
costuming items using materials readily available at home.
Finally, hand-crafting the item yourself gives you both the
satisfaction that comes from making something yourself - plus
the knowledge of how to fix it should it ever need repair.
Okay, so now you're convinced and want to try your hand at
costuming, but you're not sure how to proceed. The good
news is that all the knowledge you'll need is just a few mouseclicks away. The good people at the Noc Bay Trading
Company, an on-line retailer selling craft supplies, has
published a series of instructional sheets, known collectively
as the "Learning Circle" on their website. With a total of 90
different sheets, every tribesmen will surely be able to find
information to construct the necessary items for their
costumes, everything from aprons and chokers, to pouches
and drumsticks, or roaches and turbans.
And of course, winter is the perfect time of the year to work
on new costuming items, not only those required for
advancement, but also to spruce up those “seasoned” pieces.
Whichever it is, you'll find links to the appropriate items
posted in the costuming section of the tribal website. Of
course, you're also welcome to visit the Noc Bay Learning
Circle site, as well as those posted at the end of this article, to
see a more complete list of craft project ideas.
In addition to costuming and other items, the Learning Circle
also has information sheets for various techniques such as
making twisted fringe to decorate your fan handle, trimming
and shaping turkey feathers and mounting deer toes. These
are skills that you can put to use on many different costuming
projects - even to help a fellow tribesman!
So where does one begin? The answer, of course, is the Tribal
Handbook. Consult the table of costume items for the
appropriate items for your rank or station. How much
costuming do you need? There are actually three answers to
this question. First, you need the minimum items that have
been prescribed for your rank or station. Obviously that’s the
best place to begin.
15 | February 2013
From aprons to chokers, headdresses and fans, sources like the Noc-Bay
Learning Circle have the information you need to make your costume.
Second, if you intend to advance, you need the costuming
items required for elevation to your intended rank/station.
See the advancement section of the Handbook.
Third and finally, you “need” the optional items that are
available to all tribesmen. Okay, that’s not really a need, but
if you want them, you certainly need to figure out how to
obtain them. Every tribesman can add any optional item at
any time.
And that brings us full circle -- assembling your costume.
There are many on-line vendors that can supply you with
materials, and yes, even pre-made items. While we do not
endorse any particular vendor, we've listed several below that
have been used by tribesmen in the past. And needless to
say, don't forget about your local craft store options.
Regardless of what you choose, making your own costuming
enhances your personal knowledge and your Scouting
experience.
A Few Possible On-Line Vendors:
Crazy Crow Trading Post: www.crazycrow.com
Grey Owl Indian Crafts: greyowlcrafts.com
Noc-Bay Trading Company: www.nocbay.com
The Wandering Bull: www.wanderingbull.com
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA
Continued from page 12
Knife Sheath. Knives were a tool
commonly carried by both men
and women and were worn
either
suspended
from
a
belt/sash around the waist, or by
a cord around the neck. The
sheaths were often decorated
with beads, porcupine quills,
metal cones or fur.
Beaded
designs were either geometric or
floral patterns, although floral
designs
did
not
become
predominant until the late 1800s.
into the design. This technique was also employed to make
belts, arm bands and gun straps. The technique was so
popular that it was adopted and used by the French traders.
Note: Sheath knives are of course
prohibited from camp property,
however the sheath itself can be
used to carry handy items like a
flashlight while in costume.
Hairbow. The hairbow was worn
by women in the Great Lakes
Indian villages, and had been
used by Indian women across the
United States. One of the earliest
mentions of the hairbow was
reported among the Huron in
Canada and it appears to have
been used by Native American
women of the Great Lakes
through the early 1800s.
Most hairbows were made in an
hourglass shape from a rawhide
base covered with leather or
cloth and decorated with silver or
brass buttons or discs, ribbon ties
were attached and left hanging
down at the back. A lot of Native
American women still wear them
at traditional gatherings.
Final Thoughts.
There are a few important points that must be remembered.
First, whatever design you choose, it must be respectful. The
clothing worn by Native Americans was not a costume. It
served both functional and social purposes. Second, a
costume needs to have an overall cohesive design. Wearing
an Aztec headdress with a Great Lakes apron creates a
caricature image that is not at all respectful, nor would it
present a consistent appearance.
In addition, the time period chosen makes a big difference in
the styles and decorations used for tribal regalia. The majority
of the items presented in this article are appropriate
throughout the Great Lakes and prairie regions during the
mid-1700s to the mid-1800s time period. Other time periods
would be equally valid.
Lastly, while the focus of this article was on the tribes in and
around Illinois, this does not preclude a tribesman from
choosing a costume in the plains style, or other nearby
regions. As noted above, just keep it respectful, cohesive and
within the Mannaseh guidelines for your rank or station.
Sashes. Worn around the waist, sashes were made of cloth or
finger-woven yarn for functional and decorative purposes.
Women often wore a sash as a means to fasten their wraparound skits. Men would wear them both as a belt and
decoration. Both sexes used them to hang pouches and knife
sheaths from.
Sashes (and garters) were commonly made via a technique
known as finger weaving, a non-loom based weaving process.
A wide variety of patterns and colors are used in finger-woven
sashes, and some incorporate the use of small beads woven
into
February 2013 |
16
The Buffalo Trace is the official newsletter of :
The Tribe of Mannaseh
The Honor Camper Society
of the
Lewis & Clark Council
Boy Scouts of America
Belleville, IL
Lewis & Clark Council, BSA 335 West Main Street Belleville, IL 62220