UPDATE:
AIS has been cancelled. For more information visit the Central Region website.
In the 2014 calendar year, much of the focus of the Order of the Arrow will be on local lodge service. As individual local OA lodges prepare for the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow, the year-long focus next year is intended to allow lodges to expand their programs and creatively plan for the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at Michigan State University.
However, the OA regions aren't sitting idle next year either. The Central Region has taken an idea to host an American Indian Activities seminar and formulated it into an extended weekend event dedicated to our Order's ceremonies and American Indian culture. This event will take place from August 7-10, 2014 at Camp Belzer in Indianapolis, IN. Throughout the weekend, various activities dedicated to American Indian dance, crafts, outfits, along with ceremony topics such as characterization, inductions, and best practices from across the country will occur. An exciting activity related to the centennial celebration is also being planned.
American Indian culture has always been a key part of our Order. Our founders based the original ceremonies around this culture because of their love and respect for the outdoors. Even though this is an integral part of who we are as Arrowmen, it is often hard for lodges to have strong programs in this area as it does require some previous knowledge and experience.
With this thought in mind, much of the training will focus on providing participants with new knowledge which they can bring back to their respective lodge programs. Expert instructors will be teaching about each dance style, their respective outfits, and related crafts that can be made to improve your outfit or to take home as a memento. There will also be a powwow on both Friday and Saturday night to bring everyone together for a night of fun with some great singing and dancing. Dance competitions and evaluations will take place for youth in each dance style to better prepare them for the competitions at NOAC the next year. All youth are welcome to participate whether they are veteran dancers or just starting that weekend!
The ceremonies of our Order tell how each of us as Arrowmen are united by the principles of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. Ceremonies done well promote these values and can change lives forever. However, when ceremonies teams are unprepared, it can affect the entire inductions experience and cause new members to perceive our Order in a negative way. Inductions and ceremonies are vital aspects of any lodge program, and they will be a key focus throughout the seminar. Training will include topics such as characterization, proper outfitting, and the symbolic connections between each ceremony. Best practices related to inductions will also be shared, including topics such as Brotherhood Conversion and Ordeal Administration. If enough interest is shown, then the committee will offer ceremony competitions and evaluations for lodge teams. Also, pending the approval of the national Order of the Arrow committee this December, there will be a special focus on the new Brotherhood ceremony and how lodges can incorporate it into their programs.
After a morning full of exciting training, everyone is expected to be ready for some relaxing fun in the afternoon. There will be different sports, water activities, and maybe even a region-wide "Lodge"ball tournament! On Thursday night, we will have an opening campfire to give guests a look at what to expect for the weekend. The regional trading post will also have a lot of items throughout the weekend that you can buy to take home as a memento to remember this great event.
Passing on knowledge of the American Indian culture is very important to 2013 Central Region Chief Mike Gray. After attending Indian Summer in 2011, he found his inspiration for pursuing an AIA event on a regional level.
Gray comments, "Whether you are part of a lodge dance team performing at a Cub Scout crossover, or you are portraying Kichkinet to a group of excited new candidates in their Pre-Ordeal ceremony, the American Indian culture plays a valuable role in our Order's service. Take advantage of your opportunity as an Arrowmen to participate in this culture and inspire future generations of leaders."
To keep up-to-date about information about the 2014 Central Region American Indian Seminar, visit the Central Region website.