The natural life of the Indian is saved from rudeness and disorder by
certain well-understood rules and conventions which are invariably
followed. Simple as these rules may seem, they have stood the test of
time, and are universally respected. You may be able to adapt some of
them to the government of your camp.
Each band has its chief, or leader, who governs through his council, and
a herald to announce their decisions. Scouts and soldiers are appointed
by the council. When several bands camp together, all know that there
will be no change in the general order, aside from a few special and
temporary rules. The clans simply enforce the usual codes conjointly,
though any special service necessarily carries with it greater honor,
because of serving a larger community.
If a member of any band commits an offence against one of another band,
all the chiefs constitute the grand jury. Their verdict is attested by
the grand council, while the two persons affected have no voice in the
matter, except as they may be called upon to testify of what they know.
The punishment decreed is strictly carried out without prejudice or
favoritism. No boy or man can flee from the voice and hand of justice.
Where can he go and be at peace with his own conscience?
I have said elsewhere that the tents are pitched in a circle, or group
of circles. In case of a large band, their position in the circle is
determined by their relative strength and reputation. The strongest band
takes its place on the right of the entrance, and the next strongest
takes the left. Opposite the entrance is the post of honor, which is
accorded to the greatest chief or temporary head of the large camp.
Now the family circle in the wigwam is arranged on the same principle.
The circle is symbolic of life, also symbolic of the day's journey.
Woman rules the lodge; therefore on the right of the entrance is the
position of the grandmother, if there is one. Next her are her
granddaughters, the youngest nearest her. Then comes the grandfather,
and next him the grown sons, if any; then the father, and between him
and the mother, who occupies the first seat on the left of the entrance,
are one or two of the smallest children. The guest is seated opposite
the entrance.
It is a rule of the Indian home that the grandfather is master of
ceremonies at all times. He is spokesman for the family if a stranger
enters. If he is absent, the father or the husband speaks; all others
may only smile in greeting. If both men are absent, the grandmother is
spokes-woman; if she is away, the mother or the wife speaks, with as
much dignity as modesty. If no older person is at home, the eldest son
or daughter greets the guest, but if they have no brother to speak for
them, and an entire stranger enters, the girls may properly observe
silence. The stranger should explain the cause of his intrusion.
In the presence of a guest, promiscuous laughing or a careless attitude
are not permitted. Rigid decorum and respectful silence are observed,
and if any children are present, they must not stare at the stranger.
All noisy play and merriment must be kept within familiar family
circles, except on the occasion of certain games and dances.
In the matter of greetings, the men alone greet each other with "How!"
No woman may use this greeting. Indians do not usually say "Thank you!"
but acknowledge a gift or favor by using some appropriate term of
relationship, as grandmother, little sister, cousin, etc. "Hi, hi!" or
"Thank you!" is occasionally used, but only when one is especially
grateful.
You should always address everybody in the clan by the regular term of
relationship, rather than by name. If too distant, the word "Kolah," or
friend, may be used. Perhaps a prettier word for the Boy Scouts to adopt
is "Kechuwah," or comrade.
The serving of food is always orderly and polite. Guests are offered
food, at whatever hour of the day they may appear, as, in the wilderness
life, it is safe to assume that they are hungry. The mother of the
family serves first the guest, if any, then her father, her husband, her
mother, the children in order of age, and, of course, herself last of
all. Each returns his empty dish to her with the proper term of
relationship as a sign of thanks.
Silence, we believe, is the basis of order and decorum, and the peace
and dignity of the camp must be maintained at all costs. Thus any
emergency is quickly made known and is met with calmness and decision.
All formal announcements are made by the mouth of the camp herald or
crier.
Our Indian "Boy Scouts" are the immediate and unofficial guardians of
our safety. If any one approaches, they quickly pass the unspoken signal
from boy to boy, without letting the stranger know that he is
discovered; and if there is any doubt as to his identity and character,
that, too, is indicated, so that the experienced may see to it before he
comes too near. The reports of the returning hunters are given by means
of certain calls, so that the home folks may be prepared to receive
them.
For instance, when a bear is killed, the boys announce it with the
peculiar call, "Wah, wah, wah!" in chorus. If it is a deer, they cry:
"Woo koo hoo'! woo koo hoo'!" In welcoming the buffalo hunters, the boys
hold one another by the shoulders and imitate the lowing of the herds,
finishing off with a shrill whistle. Possibly your college and class
yells were founded upon the Indian game signals.