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Crafts
By Donna
Flood
Velma Joneses
spiritual connection |
This photograph is a recording of a passing
on of Velma Joneses spiritual connection through these bundles, an
ancient tradition of the Ponca tribe. They will be privately handed to
the women of her line at her Memorial feast, September 26, 2009 at the
Standing Bear Park in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The bundles hold small
symbolic objects relating to Velma's life; a pin cushion to tell of her
sewing of regalia, a ceramic necklace to follow the giving of a stone, a
piece of dried sage to use for a smudge, and whatever other small items
Velma loved.
Here are the pictures of the bundles setting
on the shelf, awaiting Saturday's Memorial Day feast when they will be
handed out to the young ladies of our family as a way of remembering
Grandmother Velma and a way of passing her spirit for strength of
character and servitude to a new generation.
Somewhere in the
distance a flute was playing while Jim White asked for a blessing
upon the food. The music lent a soft, touching nostalgia to the
moment. For flute music click on Maiden of the Woods.
http://www.angelfire.com/md/elanmichaels/MIDI.html
Garland has his arbors up in readiness
for the 125 people who will share a one year Memorial Dinner for
Velma Louise Pensoneau Jones, my mother.
Garland and my husband, Rodney Flood
Garland with the trusty "duck" tape
Teepee, neighbor to the east
Neighbor to Southeast with O.U. school
spirit. Arena red and blue poles in the background.
Lined up for food being served,
Sharron Roy, Oketah, Comanche in the forefront, wife of
Gordon Roy
Cowboy hat in foreground
Chilocco chum, going back some,
Gordon Roy
Sister Esther, not too happy
with having been caught on camera while eating. Brother
Dan behind her. He is speaking with Mary Williamson,
descendant of Chief Red Leaf, her husband Bob Williamson
behind her. To the far left in back ground is cousin
Paulagean Wadley King whose daughter Danese and her
husband Bill Lindsey brought her from the panhandle for
this occasion.
DAN Jones and cousin DANese
Lindsey. Danese is a former surgical nurse, who turned
in that profession to work as a nurse in a birthing
clinic at Wichita. Her children are grown and in
professions of their own.
Doug Eagle, spiritual leader
of the tribe, is descendant of the Eagle, chief's
clan. Mother called him Brother according to Ponca
relationship. His encouraging words brought tears to my
eyes as he spoke of the work Mother had done in her
life.
Garland Kent and his wife
Lucy, who were involved in much of the planning for
this, estimated that there were at least 125 people in
attendance. This is on the front side of the r.v.
vehicle. There were people on the back side, as well.
Smoky Cole brought more chairs and tables from his camp,
so we had plenty. The Coles brought food, a large box
of fried chicken was one of several things. Everyone
chipped in for the food so no one was burdened to a
great extent.
Sister Esther
serving the cake brother Dan Jones (on the
right) brought. The lettering said, "We miss
you Mom." To the far right is Cynthia Fedders, the
daughter of Martha Grass, activist and proponent
for civil rights. Cynthia brought three bushels
of fry bread, all of which were rapidly consumed
Chris Little Cook
and his wife, Mindy, represented Mother's
Little Cook family. Chris is over one of
the educational programs for the Native
Americans at the high school. Andrew
Lieb and his sister, Rose Marie represented
mother's family off the line of Grandmother
Elizabeth Little Cook's sisters. Rose
Marie is in her 80's but drove from Phoenix,
Arizona for this event. The Hernandez family
was well represented by Suzi, Jeff, Derrick,
Tony, Mary H. and Paul, Rameriz, Rachel
Ramirez. The Pensoneau family was
represented by Charmaine, Darlene, and Steve
Pensoneau. Charmaine thanked me with the most
touching sentiment for the feeling
she received when she opened her bundle and the
fragrant sage came up to her. She said it gave
her such a strong message of Mother's presence.
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