I'm not sure if it's my own interests coming in to play or if it truly is a burgeoning fascination; but Ella seems to genuinely love Native American history and culture.
Kansas is full of historical sites, events, and celebrations of these that we can keep our homeschool plate quite full with anything Native.In a town about an hour away called Council Grove, we celebrated "Wah Shun Gah Days," named after the last Kaw chief . Along with many festivities that took place, we were excited to watch the Pow Wow that evening. Rain was imminent, so it was held in an early 20th century high school building (with no AC which is why Wyatt is shirtless). The kids just LOVED it! Wyatt interested in all things musical literally danced (OK, bobbed his head with enthusiasm) the whole hour and a half we were there! Titus busied himself walking up and down the aisle, and Ella was constantly reminding me that she wanted to be an Indian when she grew up. I tried explaining why that wouldn't happen, but things got really confusing when Ella spotted a little girl her very own age that got to dance and "wear Indian clothes." She was awestruck by the girl's abilities.
The evening didn't really begin though until the drum leader announced that spectators could join the dancers on the floor! Ella looked at me like it was Christmas morning after I assured her it was OK to join the little girl. I took her over to meet "Princessia" who was all big and beautiful smiles and we gushed on about what a great dancer she was. She smiled and nodded yes when I asked if Ella could follow her around the floor.
By the time we left the kids were spent. My friend Catherine and her son Jude joined us (my hubby had to work and hers was at St Vladmir's giving a lecture on Orthodox History. (check out his podcast: Matthew Namee on AFR) and we had a wonderful time chatting as we drove home through the Flint Hills (think Dances with Wolves scenery) as the sun set. There was a brilliant thunderstorm flashing in the distance that illuminated the darkening sky and I was thankful for such a beautiful day!
