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On The Path of Life

La Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation, Hayward, WI 1993

By Barbara Jo Shipka

We had been to several powwows already but this one was special. Michael was now old enough and independent enough to be able to dance his first dance with the other children.

It was late afternoon by the time the Children’s Dance came around. As it was announced, Michael entered the circle with the other children. He had his moccasins on for the first time – his sweet little fox fur moccasins that he came to adore. With the drumbeat, he began his dance. A visitor entered the circle and danced with a very small child in his arms. The Master of Ceremonies sternly said, “Put the child down! Put the child down now! You may not carry a child in the circle! If the child cannot dance on his own, he cannot be in the circle!” Then he more gently explained, “Giveaway is a big part of the powwow tradition. If you carry a child into the Sacred Circle of Life, he may be construed as a gift to The Great Spirit! Even more,“ the MC continued, “It is essential that each person who dances in the Sacred Circle marks his or her own footprints on the Path of Life for The Great Spirit to see. A child who is carried cannot be seen.”

So there Michael was, dancing on his own. Marking his footprints on the Path of Life for himself!

As the children danced, the MC suggested that we all look up into the sky. There we witnessed two eagles flying together, dancing together, over the Sacred Circle of Life as these children – all under five – danced. We were watching the next generation enter into the Sacred Circle of Life. And we were watching The Eagle, considered the messenger of the Creator, sending a message of being present, watching over, joining in harmony with these blessed children.

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Michael graduated from university in May 2015 with a degree in American Indian Studies. One class he took was called Native Americans in the Cinema. For his final project he made a video about his connections to his heritage. It’s entitled “What I Learned That I Have Not Needed to Unlearn.” You can view it here: