The Giving of Symbolic Vigil names

Native American names are very symbolic. They have no sir or family parts as European names do, thus they do not indicate a person’s parentage. Generally Native Americans had three types of names; birth names, nicknames, and honor or public names. Birth names are those given at birth. The stereotypical ideas that a child was name after the first noticeable thing the mother saw after its birth, or after an event occurring near the birth seldom happened. Many times the child was simply called by birth order, such as; first-born son, first-born daughter and so on. A nickname usually came from some odd characteristic or humorous act of the child, one that would that would take before the owner would be aware of it.

The honor or public name is a conferred name given by someone of importance. Such a name usually indicates a distinguishing character or deed by an ancestor or himself. If the deed was done by him self it was sometimes called the deed name. These are the types of names that are used for Vigil names in the Order of the Arrow.

Much care should be given when choosing a Vigil name for someone. It should be honorable, based on a person’s qualities, talents, traits, and ambitions. It should not be humorous, ridiculous, or insinuating. It should follow basic Native American name giving customs. Under such conditions, it should be a distinguishing name.

Traditionally, the Order of the Arrow draws upon the North American Indian culture, principally the Lenni-Lenape Tribe, for their Vigil names. However, in special instances you could draw from other cultures like South Pacific Island cultures for Vigil names when there is personal heritage connection. The Order holds an understanding that not all Native American tribes have the same culture, beliefs, and languages, so you can draw from any of them, but encourages you to draw from one near you.

OA Native American Regalia

One of the highlights of the Order of the Arrow is its use of Native American attire.  It is one of the most exciting parts of the program to some members; in fact it’s what brings many into the program. Still few realize the cost involved in acquiring Native American regalia.

The cost, while it should not be a factor in active participation in the order, sometimes gets in the way of becoming active in the ceremony and dance portions of it. A well made Native American Dance outfit normally costs about $150, even if substitute and imitation materials are used. That’s a lot of money for a 14-year-old. An Order of the Arrow Ceremonial outfit can cost more or less, depending on if “found and rebuilt” items are used, or if real leather, like in Utah Valley, is used. Your regalia needs not be complete to be used in ceremonies, either.

While O-A members are encouraged to adopt the lore or attire of tribes local to them. The easiest and cheapest costumes to make are the Apache, the Pueblo, and Navajo of the southwest cultural area, but these tribes are not near most members areas. The Western Plains Cultural Area is the most wanted regalia and it takes time and money to build. Something is needed in the mean time.

You may try and borrow regalia from most lodges, chapters, or Advisors until you decide which direction you want to take with your own regalia. Just remember that whenever you borrow regalia, from what ever the source, you need to provide your own earth tone shorts and moccasins for sanitary reasons.

Most O-A members acquire their regalia from many sources. Not everyone can bead, sew, or do feather work. Thus, some items are bought, some are given as gifts for Christmas, birthdays, and other holidays, and some are made by other members of family.

OA Native American Awareness

 “When people of one culture meet those of another, it helps if both know what behavior is acceptable, which words will smooth communication and which should be avoided.”

(Suzanne Walson, “Sharing a Heritage,” Scouting, Nov-Dec 1997.)

As members of the Order of the Arrow, that’s based on American Indian customs and traditions, we should remember that we are participating in a culture that is not our own. Although it’s part of the history of America, and should be preserved, we are just visitors, gaining a greater understanding and appreciation through participation. Most Native American Tribes consider some items and dances holy and sacred. They consider some words and Indian stereotypes offensive.  We should always remember that we, of the order, are a bridge between cultures and should act in a way that promotes friendship and understanding between peoples.

For this reason it is not appropriate for Order of the Arrow members to use words that are offensive, to use Native American religious Items as part of our regalia, nor should we dance Native American Religious Dances. Remember that we are not pretending to be Native Americans; our purpose is to enjoy some of their dancing, crafts, and traditions. We should not copy any one else’s regalia. We should not paint our faces, and we should not use items from endangered or protected species, for obvious reasons.

Scout Jargon

Scouting has a lot of jargon specific to Boy Scouting, just like other activities and professions. Often a new leader does not know what is going on or what has been said because they have yet to learn the terminology. Some times this can be funny to us, but embarrassing to them.

It is not safe to assume that everyone working in scouting knows what a Cracker Barrel or a Woggle is. The key to remember is, to whom you are trying to communicate. If there is new scout or Scouter in the target audience, then include the definition so that new leaders can learn and understand the program. Here are some of the more common definitions- they are not intended to be the last word on Scouting.

Alpha Phi Omega – A college scouting service fraternity.

Akela- a good leader.

Board of review- a review for Boy Scouts.

B-P- Short for Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell.

Buddy system- The paring of scouts for safe swimming and hiking.

Camporee- A unit, district, or council over-night gathering of Scouts.

Cracker Barrel - A get together or informal meeting over snacks, generally before bedtime.

Derby- A contest between rivals of the same activity, at the same location.

Ditty Bag - A small bag carried on a hike or campout which holds small personal items.

Fleur-de-lis - The generic Scout emblem in the shape of a Lily or Iris flower.

Good-Ol’ Days- events of over two or more years ago.

Gorp - A mixture of finger food and small high energy foods eaten on the trail.

Jamboree- national or world gathering of Scouts.

Key 3- the three head leaders of a district or council.

Klondike- Winter campout or camporee.

Noggin- archaic term for a small wood drinking cup.

Pedro- The cartoon mail burro in Boys’ Life magazine.

Swappin'- A Scout term for trading at Jamborees and other Scouting events.

“To Be Square” - part of the old Cub Scout promise from 1930 to 1970.

Totem- An emblem or design designating the name of something.

UNPC- Utah National Parks Council

Woggle - a turks head or woven knot worn as a neckerchief or scarf slide.
WOSM- World Organization of the Scout Movement.

YIS - Yours In Scouting; a common Signature line between Scouters.

Class B Uniforms

            Uniforms have always have been a part of scouting. It is the saga of Scouting. It means that a scout belongs; it stands for service and character. The tan and green field uniform is a well-known symbol of American scouting. Yet in common usage, there are three types of Scout Uniforms; the Field, Dress, and Activity. The Field uniform, the classic Kaki Uniform should be worn when the meetings are directed at young people. The Dress Uniform should be worn when working with non-uniformed groups and council excusive boards, and formal scouting functions.





The Activity uniform, which is often a t-shirt customized just for the troop, camp or activity are appropriate for work projects, sporting activities, and other events in which the other uniforms might get damaged. The Field and Activity uniforms are often referred to as Class A and Class B uniforms but that military terminology not correct for Scout Uniforms. BSA wants us to call them Field and Activity uniforms.



The Activity uniform style seems to be seeing more frequent usage. But the problem here is that most boys wear only the T-shirt part of this uniform. If you don’t have the pants/shorts part of the uniform then it is not a uniform, it’s just a t-shirt with scout logo. You can’t salute the flag without the official pants/shorts. The instant belonging with the program is gone without scout pants/shorts. Wearing the shirt alone is not “in uniform.”



“Mafuzziwogs”

“Mafuzziwogs” are small homemade items that represent a person, their community, or their background, that scouts trade at world and national events. Well that’s what Baden-Powell called them, when they were first used to represent some hospitalized scouts that could not attend 1924 Imperial Jamboree at Wembly, England. They became very poplar before the invention of modern patches and pins, for trading and introducing one Scout to another, especially in the 1940's and 1950's.

There are a few rules for giving or trading these little trinkets, tokens, or mementos; they should tell or represent something about the givers, the group, the country, the community, or local Scout continent. They should be inexpensive in nature. Time should be taken to know a little about whom you trade. And a handshake should always follow the trade.

In Girl Scouts these are called SWAPs. In more recent years, the name has become an acronym for, “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” In Boy Scouting there is no set word for them, although I heard the term “trades” fairly often and more recently the term “Swag” just like in Geocaching. Trading is and will be forever part of scouting sprit of friendship and camaraderie.

O-A Politics- Parent Leaders

Why must politics’ play in the Order of the Arrow? Why must leader parents jump in sway or manipulate the elections? I know that they have always been there, but is the prestige so important as to over look the best boy for the job, in favor of their “son”?

Back in the ‘80s, our old chapter was split into to junior highs, towns A and B. Town B was 2 to 3 times bigger than A. When elections were set and held, most of the youth that showed were from town A and the adviser was from town B. He put off elections until town B’s school had an activity and they could not go, thus the boys from his town could run uncontested. There was no activity that prevented the first un-attendees from town B attending the first election time, they just forgot. Time proved this was not for the best of the chapter, even though Town A boys remained active, after a year they were almost the only ones attending, except those in power. Ten years later, the same chapter but different advisor only did elections in the favored troops, so that the adviser only had to work popular youth. Within two years, only one boy was attending.

Our Lodge just endured some of the same election problems and at the chapter meeting last night it happened again. When the leaders play favorites and manipulate the elections, it seams that it upsets the balance. O-A needs all boys, but some are better leaders than others.

Our Chapter has just dropped from over 100 youth members to under 30, over the last two years. Last nights meeting only had nine boys present at the elections, although another one came later. It needs a strong leader that will communicate with everyone, help everyone feel welcome, and not dictate orders. No adult leader will keep the youth coming if the other youth in the program do not accept them. Of the 50 or more new elected candidates this year less than ten ordealed; many visited a meeting once or twice and never came again, nor did they ordeal.

Frankly the best youth for the job is not often a natural leader, but someone who has the resources, the tenure, the willing heart, and training to do a good job. Often good leaders are the ones that get the job done, without taking sides, and not forming best buddies with whom they give special privileges. It is not the boy whom does not attend or represent the chapter at functions, nor pressure his inexperienced brother to run for office just because he does not want to work with someone: Although the problems actually go farther than that last night, with the vote count.

In my 34 years of experience in scouting, if a unit is fractured, the youth leadership should be filled with boys from all fractions. That way all fractions have representation in the said leadership; the leadership normally jells and bonds after the adviser helps to them work at a hard task together. The best thing about filling leaders from all the fractions is that they all bring their friends and more attend over all.

I realize that many parent leaders do not have an unbiased view of their son, thus we have problems. Boys can over come a popular leader, they just train him, but hurt feelings are hard to overcome. When parent leaders get involved this is what happens.

Footnote- Sorry I just needed to rant ... I’ve been asked what was done wrong- the candidates did not have their names written on the board so all would know how to spell their names and both had similar names. The candidates did not give a speech so that they could tell what they could bring to the table or about their experience. The votes were tallied by a parent leader, alone. And that a member was allowed to vote after the votes where taken, as he walked down hall where the votes were tallied.