An Awakening
William Huey
As I entered, I felt a gentle peace fall over me. Seeing the People was a great sight. I felt a sense of wonderment. These People were different than me, yet somehow very much the same.
As I began to wonder around, my nostrils became filled with the smell of something I have never smelled before; fry bread. Somehow I knew this would be something I would truly enjoy. As I sampled this new find my taste buds thanked me, yes Cherokee fry-bread with real Cherokee style chili was wonderful.
After only a few moments I heard sounds of the drums, and saw the beauty of the fancy-dance. As both male and female dancers entered the circle and spoke of legends in dance I somehow felt that I belonged here, that the Creator had willed my presence here. When the dancing was ended for story telling with spoken words, I spotted a hawk soaring overhead. The hawk began to fill me with a sense of true belonging, a sense that I had found something that even I didn’t know I was looking for.
As the day went on, yet time stood still, I began to feel even more like the Cherokee blood that flows in my veins was beginning to surface. I had always known I was Native American, but somehow didn’t truly understand what this meant. Being among the People was enriching. I became aware of things that before didn’t matter.
My speaking with other tribes gave me a new awakening to life. I felt the hawk speak to me. I felt it enter my heart and ashore me of my existence. I do belong.
The day was filled with many wonders. I was filled with as many questions as I had found answers. I knew it was time for soul searching, time for research, time to acknowledge my culture, my heritage. And yes, much to soon, time crept up on me, it was now time to leave my first POW-WOW. I left with a heavy yet fulfilled heart.