An Apache Elder

I believe Linda became friends with GreyHawk after writing an article about him. I do know that she needed to get permission from him to bring me with her to visit him and he said okay. A tradition of meeting an Elder says that "when you go to visit one, you are always suppose to bring a small offering or gift. Since I had my own business even then, I took some tobacco and white sage.

When we walked into GreyHawk's home, there he was an Apache Elder who sat in a chair with long white hair, smiling just as pretty as you please. It reminded me of one of the Elders from a movie called "Dances with Wolves" when they were all gathered in a Council meeting. The Elders in the movie sat there with this expression on their face, long white braids framing their faces. It was just one of those perfect moments in time. I cannot even begin to explain what this day meant to me. My friend introduced me to him and the first thing I did was hand him the tobacco and white sage and looked him directly in his Ice Blue eyes. He gracefully accepted the gift and in returned gave me a very nice smile.

We talked about so many things that day-everything being Spiritual related with many stories from his childhood. One story he told me was how his father took him out to a field and left him alone all. GreyHawk explained to me that his father was teaching him how to listen beyond words and to see beyond sight. His Story Telling which I listened to intensely, taught me so much about Spirituality on a different level. Somehow, not really knowing me he was able to confirm so many things that I already knew, but did not know how I knew them.

GreyHawk introduced me to the "Sacred Path Cards" that afternoon. They were the cards that he read and was very drawn too. They are Native American tarot cards which you can read about on my lens: Native American Tarot

After sitting there for a long time talking, we all decided to go and get some lunch at a local restaurant. GreyHawk sat in front of me and with his ice blue eyes said "WhiteOak, do you know of the Sioux?" I know my mouth must have hit the table, or I looked really dumb founded. I answered him by saying, what do you mean? But somehow our conversation stopped there and he never answered me. After lunch while we were leaving he suggested that I attend the next sweat lodge, I told him I might, but I never did. The timing never seemed to be right for me.

For me; spending that day with GreyHawk meant the world to me. If you have ever sat down with an Elder, they are very known to teach you things by answering a question with a question. I was so honored that GreyHawk shared some of his stories with me, it was through those stories that taught me a new direction on my path that will forever be with me. It wasn't too long after this visit; GreyHawk began to prepare for his own crossing and shortly afterwards, he died.

I am a firm believer that Everyone who enters our path, enters for a reason. The meeting with GreyHawk marked a very important stone on my path. What I am about to share is the truth and not meant to show any disrespect once so ever.

Another friend of mine introduced me to another Elder who was a well known "Story Teller". (To this day I still have one of his tapes.) I was sitting with his wife talking about things nothing really important, just things. She started explained that they soon needed to get ready to attend a ceremony. (I would rather not mention the ceremony) The interest of the ceremony grabbed a hold of me and my interested peaked! Out of the blue it seemed, she asked me which tribal clan I belonged too. I explained that I did not belong to one because I was in the process of finding my linkage so I could have proof of my heritage to the Cherokee. I was not doing any of this research to apply for my "Card" so I could collect money from the government. I wanted the proof because that is the only way you can be taught traditional ceremony.

I attended meetings every month with a Tribal Committee in Dahlonega and through this committee there were "People" who helped you to find your Native American Ancestors. The night that they had my Associate Card ready, I had missed the meeting and was never given the opportunity to have it offered to me again. If I am not mistaken (because this has be years ago) after that night, they stopped giving out these Associate Member cards.

In my research, I had gotten as far back as my Grandmother's Father and the rolls I was researching stopped at this man's name. From what I have been told, back in the day the truth was never completely told and many things were kept hidden. There was so much discrimination; GreyHawk told me many Native Americans tried to hide their heritage by changing their names and so on. From my understanding being a woman made it even worst. Many women were left off of the roles completely, never mentioned at all. So my Great Grandmothers name did not appear on the last roll I could find. Long story short, I hit a brick wall and have not found the courage to continue my research as of yet.

Because I did not have my proof and/or "Card" showing my heritage, the "Story Tellers" wife said I could not attend the ceremony and if I wanted to see any of it, I could stand across the street with the others. As ugly as it sounds, I am afraid my ego felt it was slapped in the face. I cannot describe the feeling of what her words did to me. So needless to say I did not watch from across the street.

GreyHawk made me feel it was okay to share his stories with me regardless if I was a "Card" carrying Native American or not. It did not matter to him that I did not have proof of my heritage. He taught me so many things the day I spent with him that I cannot even begin to describe how sacred it was for me. So in my eyes, the respect this Elder gave to me makes him a Hero in my eyes!