|
Let me tell you about my granddaughters. I have no blood grandchildren, but according to Cheyenne cultural customs, I have many grandchildren. Here's how that works. In Cheyenne cultural traditions, a brother's children are one's nieces and nephews. But a brother's grandchildren are one's grandchildren. I have two adopted Cheyenne brothers. They are brothers. My Indian brothers grew up about a mile up the road from where I grew up. Their grandfather, Henry Elk Rivers, and my grandfather, Jacob Flick, lived across the road from one another. Their houses were less than a quarter of a mile apart. One of my Cheyenne brothers is Edwin Pewo. Edwin is one of 44 chiefs among the Southern tribe of Cheyenne. We graduated from the same high school. Edwin and his wife, Margie, have 7 children. Their grandchildren, by Indian customs, are my grandchildren in an adopted sort of way. Two of my Indian granddaughters are 1st cousins to one another. Their mothers are sisters. Candi's mother, Evelyn, died in a house fire two years ago. I preached her funeral. Candi and Tiffany are fine basketball players. As freshmen and sophomores, they led the Hammon Lady Warriors to a second place finish Oklahoma Class B state tournament on two occasions (2002 and 2003). This year, as seniors, they led the Lady Warriors to the state championship with a perfect record of 30-0. Tiffany was the MVP of the Class B bracket. She was selected to be on the first all state tournament team. Candy was on the second all tournament team.
I am very proud of my Indian granddaughters! Very proud indeed. |
