Chapter 6: Stronger in Faith, Stronger Together

St. Paul’s Episcopal Mission was established on Bear Mountain in 1908 by Reverend Arthur Gray. A lasting relationship was established between the Monacan Nation and the Episcopal Church, which continues today.

As sunlight begins to stream through the windows, Maverick opens his eyes. It is Sunday, and it is time for him to start getting ready for church. He always sleeps best in this room at his Higų’s house, so he struggles to leave the comfort of his bed. Mav can hear her downstairs, rustling with pots and pans, calling for him to get out of bed. Maverick hustles to get ready for church, putting on his favorite polo and his new Nike sneakers. As he walks downstairs, he sees that Nana is putting the finishing touches on her crockpot meal for the buffet lunch after service. It smells delicious.

“Good morning, Nana. When are we leaving for church? I am so excited to see my friends and eat all the yummy food after the service! Do you think I could have some of that food you’re cooking now? I’m pretty hungry,” Maverick exclaims.

Nana replies, “Good morning, Mav. We will leave very soon, so go grab your coat and help me carry this crockpot to the car. I made your favorite chili for the buffet, so you can’t have any of that now! However, I have some blueberry muffins that I baked yesterday. Why don’t you grab one to eat in the car?”

“That’s the best! I am so excited to eat that later. I can carry the crockpot to the car,” Maverick says as he stuffs the muffin in his pocket and holds out his hands for the crockpot. Hustling outside, Maverick puts it on the passenger seat and crawls into the back seat, knowing he would lose the argument of trying to sit up front.

As Maverick and Nana climb into the familiar blue pickup truck in the driveway, Maverick begins to think this car ride would be a great time to hear another one of his Nana’s great stories. This time, he started to wonder about the church, where they were headed, and where he had gone every Sunday for as long as he could remember.

“How old is the church, Nana?” Maverick questions.

“That chapel has been there since long before I was born,” replies Nana.

“That must be pretty old. Has our family always attended this church?” asks Maverick.

Going to Church

Nana huffs out a breath, “It may be old, but it is sturdy! As a matter of fact, I have been coming to this church since I was younger than you! Every Sunday morning, my mother woke my siblings and me up early, with the tantalizing smell of Sunday dinner downstairs. She always cooked our Sunday dinner throughout the whole day before, shooing us away when we tried to steal a quick bite. We would just have to wait until after church.”

Sound familiar, Maverick?” Looking into the rearview mirror, she catches him slyly smiling.

Continuing, Nana explains, “After she woke us, we had to dress in our finest clothes for the day. For the girls, she made beautiful long dresses with flowers; my sisters and I always liked to wear matching patterns. My mother had a gift for making dresses, and I can still remember how gorgeous they were to this day. My brothers wore their nicest shirts and slacks; my mother always made sure that they looked handsome.”

“Did your brothers wear clothes similar to what I’m wearing now?” Maverick interjects.

“A little bit like yours, yes, however, at that time, church attire and clothing in general were a bit more formal. My brothers wore dress shoes and button-down shirts,” Nana remembers.

“So, they didn’t wear their favorite Nike sneakers and polo like me?” Maverick asks.

“No,” chuckles Nana, “but that’s just a difference of the times. You look lovely, Maverick.”

“Okay, continue with your story, Nana. I want to see how the rest of the day went,” Maverick answers, eager to soak up some more of his Nana’s knowledge.

“Well, once everyone was dressed, we walked to the bus stop, where all of the other families would board the bus with us. I always had so much fun chatting with my sisters and friends on the bus ride to church. When we arrived at the chapel, my whole family sat together in two pews. The service looked the same as it does today: a room full of the entire Monacan community gathering every week without fail. It was always a constant reminder that I was a part of a bigger identity and

group beyond my family,” says Nana.

“That’s why I love coming to eį:katʰí: every week, too. I love seeing all my friends and hearing stories from the Elders at the buffet after the service. It’s a great way for me to stay connected with my Monacan friends,” Maverick replies.

“I am glad that you realize that, Maverick. It is important that you keep in touch with your heritage,” replies Nana.

Nana pulls into her usual parking spot at the front of St. Paul’s Church. As Maverick and Nana climb out of the blue pickup truck and walk into church, they greet friends and family gathering outside before the service. The day is sunny and warm; everyone seems to be energized by the nice weather. Maverick looks at his church with a new appreciation. This church has been standing since long before him and long before his Nana. It has been a gathering place for his people for almost four generations.

After they enter the church, they take a seat in the second row. Maverick looks around for his parents, but it seems they haven’t arrived yet. The church service doesn’t start for another ten minutes, so he decides to ask Nana to finish the rest of her story.

Sunday Dinner

“Nana, what did you do after the service? Was there always a delicious buffet brunch after the service?” Maverick prods, hoping to pull some more information out of his Nana.

“No, not always. As I mentioned before, my mother always made a big Sunday dinner for my family at our house. After the service had ended and we rode the bus back home, our mother finally allowed us to eat that delicious meal that she had been cooking since the day prior. We all sat around the table together, eating and laughing. Those meals were some of my favorite memories with my siblings and parents,” replies Nana.

“What kind of food did your mom like to make for dinner?” Maverick questions, wondering if it was the same as what his mom liked to make.

“Well, Sunday was different from a normal night of dinner. My favorite Sunday dinner was deer. She always cooked it beautifully with a great big side of roasted vegetables picked straight from our garden outside,” replies Nana.

“Yum! All this talk about food is making me hungry for the buffet after the service!” replies Maverick.

Beautiful music starts to play, and the service begins as Nana finishes up her story. Maverick would just have to wait for church to be over before he could start eating.

As the service starts to wrap up, Maverick begins to grow restless; he is excited to hang out with his friends and eat some good food. They make their way toward the door and the buffet. Maverick knows the drill. Even though he is very hungry, and all of the food baked by the Elders smells delicious, he knows he has to wait for the Elders to get their food first. It has always been that way for him. He knows that it is a sign of respect. This respect for his Elders has been instilled in him for as long as he can remember.

Finally, it is Maverick’s turn, and he loads his plate with mini sandwiches, fresh-cut fruit, his Nana’s chili, and a famous cookie baked by Birdie, another Elder. Maverick is making his way toward his seat next to his Nana when he spots two girls, a bit older than him, carrying decorations.

“Nana, what are those girls carrying?” asks Maverick as he sets his plate on the table and sits down.

“Those are decorations for the church. Did you know that Homecoming is next week?” asks Nana.

Homecoming

“I love Homecoming! I didn’t know that it was so soon. It’s so fun to play with my friends and eat all of the delicious food baked by the Elders. Have you always attended the Homecoming?” asks Maverick.

“No, not always. The very first Homecoming was in 1969, when I was 19 years old. I have attended every year since. Even in that very first year, the whole community is involved: the Elders bake goodies for the bake sale, the adults help to cook the buffet lunch, and the children get to enjoy the fun crafts and games. Old friends and relatives who have moved away come home to help out and see dear friends and family. It is always a great day, and I hope that you will always remember it fondly, Mav,” Nana describes.

Mid-bite, Maverick begins to ask, “Why do we hold a Homecoming every year?”

“The money from the Homecoming goes back to the church. It helps to fund the church’s operations so that we can continue to gather and worship there. Our church is incredibly important even today for our people. While not everyone in our Nation worships in the same way, we all use the church to get together and share our identity. It is important for our people to stick together, and having a community gathering place ensures that we will continue to do so,” Nana replies.

“That’s great. I am glad I have a place to come every Sunday to see our people. I can’t wait for next weekend! Can we walk around outside? I am finished eating,” replies Maverick.

“Sure,” Nana replies, “but don’t forget to clean up your plate!”

After taking care of their dishes, Maverick and Nana head outside.

Church Walk

Nana catches up with Maverick who asks, “Are all churches the same?”

In her soft sweet voice, Nana chuckles, “No sweet boy, there are many churches all over the world. They are all different shapes and sizes and filled with all different types of people, not just Monacans.”

“Well, does everyone care about God?” Maverick asks hesitantly.

“Many people do care about God. But many people also just care about feeling a sense of connection to Earth and other people. Individuals worship all different creators and follow different religions across the globe.”

Nana recognizes her grandson’s state of confusion and elaborates, hoping to ease his frustration.

“Maverick, one person whom you love dearly prefers a sweat lodge over a church service! Miss Lou!”

“Well, what is a sweat lodge, Nana? It sounds sticky.”

“A sweat lodge is a ceremony performed outside. As a group, people work together to create a small structure made out of twigs and branches. This structure is then covered by blankets. Inside the structure, a hole is made into the ground. The hole is filled with rocks to create a fire. Lastly, water is added to the rocks in order to create steam. People within the structure pray together and begin to sweat due to the hot steam.”

With eyes beaming out of his face, Maverick eagerly says “Wow! That’s so cool! But how is that like church?”

“Great question! It is like a church because it provides people with faith. Faith is a strong belief in someone or something. In a sweat lodge, people are putting their faith in Mother Nature to clean their souls and take away their burden, which is a duty or responsibility that can be very difficult,” replies Nana.

Baffled, Maverick asks, “So you can have faith in the environment?”

“Yes, exactly!” Nana exclaims. “Our Monacan people have a lot of faith in the

environment and respect our Native land. One of the ways we show our respect for what Mother Nature has given us through rituals like a sweat lodge.”

Maverick quickly runs right up next to Nana “Are there other types of rituals? And could I join them?”

Nana’s face lights up like a lightbulb “Of course you can get involved in rituals! Sweat lodges happen right here, on our very own Monacan land. I am so happy that your love for the Monacan people bring you curiosity! So, other than sweat lodges, there are also vision quests.”

“Wow, vision quest. Even the name sounds like something from my video games!” Maverick remarks.

Laughing, Nana adds, “Well, unlike in a video game, vision quests connect us with our ancestors. In order to complete a vision quest you must climb our sacred Bear Mountain, with no supplies or food or water. Throughout the journey to the top, you are led by Elder Spirit Guides who walk you through the experience. These spirit guides also lead you back down the mountain once it is time to return.”

“Don’t people get cold and hungry?” Maverick asks.

“Yes, they do. It can be a very hard experience.” Adds Nana.

“I definitely want to do that when I am older and connect to my ancestors. I would also love to see all of the beautiful nature in different parts of Bear Mountain that I have not seen before. Maybe I could even collect an Eagle feather if I see any!”

Eagle Feather 

The Eagle feather is rarely given. Typically, an Eagle feather is given to a young person when they graduate from high school or college to wear as an honor for their achievement. Native Americans can only receive Eagle Feathers and distribute them.

The Eagle feather can also be used in smudging since it is considered healing and protective. Smudging is a traditional ceremony used for cleansing the souls of negative people and places. There are four central elements involved in smudging. This includes a container which is usually a shell to represent water. Secondly, four sacred plants are used including, Cedar, Sage, Sweetgrass, and Tobacco. The fire from lighting the plants represents the third element. Finally, the smoke from the fire represents the fourth element. The fire is gently blown out through the usage of an Eagle feather, representing ashes being returned to Mother Earth.

Additionally in the Monacan Nation, Eagle feathers from a repository are used to make Powwow regalia, such as fans and bustles for ceremonial dances. If the Eagle feather comes within a wing or a tail, there is a specific process of plucking and cleaning to treat them. A low heat iron is used to press them. Treating an Eagle feather is considered a great honor. Due to the honor and history surrounding the feathers, an Eagle feather is the best gift a person can get. This is because the Eagle can fly higher than any bird that the Creator made, and the Monacan people rely on them to take their prayers to the Creator.

Tribal Tattoos

Tribal Tattoos have been utilized in the Monacan Nation for hundreds of years. Different dots and lines have different meanings and symbolism. For example, there can be a dot next to each eye. One dot is to signify everyone you love, and the other is for the purpose of loving yourself. There are also three lines on the chin or under the mouth that are used to symbolize appreciation for your mother, father, and Creator. Tattoos are deeply personal and are typically connected to loved ones or faith. During and before the Colonial Period, tattoos were used to mark important coming-of-age ceremonies as well as victories in battles. Tattoos were utilized to demonstrate strength and personal achievements in war.

Nana cannot help but beam with joy as her grandson is eager to engage in connecting to nature through Monacan rituals. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, Maverick. Another way people connect to nature, faith, and the Creator is through tribal tattoos! However, making a permanent imprint on your body is only something you can decide once you become an adult”

“Wow, that’s awesome!” says Maverick.

“I also want you to know that we, as Monacan people, must all be accepting of all different types of faiths,” notes Nana.

“Like what else?” Maverick wonders.

While now sitting at a picnic bench, Nana looks into the eyes of Maverick and says, “There are all types of religions and beliefs. As Monacans, we are accepting and encouraging everyone to follow their own faith. We do not judge or discriminate. This is one of the most important values of being Monacan.”

“Is this because our ancestors were discriminated against?” questions Maverick.

With a deep sigh, Nana replies, “Yes. But not just your ancestors from long ago. Remember, even I, your great-grandmother, your grandmother, and your mother have all faced discrimination.  Do you understand Maverick?”

Maverick looks over at his Nana, remembers the conversation from the night before, and understands completely. There is a sense of clarity and deep love between them. “Yes, Nana, I understand. I will continue to follow my faith and see where it leads me. I will value nature and connect to the land of my ancestors. Most importantly, I will be open to all people on the planet.”

“That is my Maverick.” Nana beams as they continue to sit on a bench for a little while longer.

Nana grabs Maverick’s hand as they walk to her car to head home for the day. Maverick jumps and skips along the very same path as the Elders before him. For the first time, Maverick stops and contemplates everyone who has walked the same path before him. Grabbing the dirt from the ground and feeling the rubble in his fingers, he can’t help but think about how this very piece of land was where his parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and all of his ancestors have lived for thousands of years.

Wiping his hands on his pants, Mav runs to the car when he hears Diane turning on the engine. She begins driving home for the night. Maverick turns to her, asking, “Could you tell me more about our Monacan people? What else is so special about our land?”

Nana looks through the rearview mirror, noticing Maverick’s tired eyes. “Rest, Maverick, that will be a story for another time” Nana whispers in her soft voice.

Maverick looks out the window and begins drifting off to the peaceful notion of getting to hear more stories from his beloved Nana tomorrow.