Gone Indian...part 2

Yup. That's me this past weekend. Had our spring event at the Herkimer Home and this was my first time out with the new persona. I have to say, even though I have a few things to work on, I really liked it. Let's face it, scaring little kids is FUN!

'tis the season...

I get like this a few times a year. I'm looking for work (unsuccessfully so far), working on my 1770s Mohawk persona (carpal tunnel issue is preventing me from making my mocassins, etc) and just feeling a bit down. Then...

I realize how much I miss Alaska. Lived there for almost 8 years. Lived in small cities like Fairbanks and tiny Bush villages like Pedro Bay (pop. 12). Met/lived around Athabaskan, Yu'Pik and Inupiaq (and 1 full-blood Pawnee that moved up from Nebraska...). The folks I knew were living like the ones I'm studying now. Out on the land. Hunting, fishing, trapping, trading.

And here I am. In freakin' NY.

I got to meet so many interesting people.

The Rev. David Salmon, for instance. He was the first non-white Episcopal priest ordained in Alaska. When he was a boy, his village (Chalkytsik) was hit by a TB epidemic. His father took to the Bush with the family. Young David and his family lived in the Bush of interior Alaska for almost 2 years without returning to a village. He was one of the Elders sought out for a UoA video because he could still make bark canoes.

Or the old Inupiaq man that told me hunting stories. Or Lester, who at 83 still used a dog team to check his trapline.

There was one person I never got to talk to. The great grandmother of one of my employees. The old gal made it to 104, possibly 110 because of the way records were kept back in the day. She didn't taste sugar until she was in her 40s, didn't ride in a car until she was almost 70, went to fish camp and moose camp with the men until she broke her hip at 97!!!!!!! Lived in the Bush until the day she died in Tetlin, AK.

And here I am. In freakin' NY.

Warning: RANT AHEAD!!!!

So I happen across a thread in a forum I frequent. Person asks how to attach a sling to their fowler.

One member tells him how to do it, and advises him that it wasn't very common to do so historically. Also points out that it may hurt retail value of said firelock if he decides to sell it in the future. Apparently the guy posing the questions feels this is "soapbox BS."

I wonder if he also walks around with a coyote skin hat and chrome leather pants screaming "I ARE A MOUNTAIN MAN!!!!"

This kinda shit pisses me off. Someone gives you a little advice (that they probably learned because they made the same mistake and don't want you to lose money too) and they are being elitist, snobby, etc.

You want to drill holes in your $1200 gun, go ahead, but don't get bent out of shape when you want to go to an event or join a group that says it's not up to their standards.

Gone Indian...

I run an annual event at the Herkimer Home State Historic Site in Little Falls, NY. The event started out as a day of maple sugaring, showing how it was done in the Valley during the 18th century.

A few years ago, I came up with the idea of making it a full weekend event with a RevWar military encampment, presentations, skirmishes, etc.

Attendance (by public & re-enactors) has steadily increased. The one thing we're usually missing are those who portray Iroquois warriors. The vast majority of the small raids here during the War were by Mohawk and Seneca war parties. So this year I decided to change my impression for the event.

I'll be going in full Indian dress. Breech-clout, leggings, mocassins, shirt, matchcoat, war paint, etc. I have cut my hair into a scalplock. It's about as long as my 4 fingers are wide, right now. 2 more months to go.

I should have my Type G from Mike Brooks by then. I already have the powder horn, slit pouch and trade knife as well as a simple sash to wear. Paint is ordered (already posess bear grease) and so is the silk ribbon for the leggings (red wool w/ dk. blue ribbon) and matchcoat (red wool also with dk. blue and dull gold ribbon).

I'm having quite a bit of fun organizing the research and figuring out what I need. The only thing slowing me down is the recovery from my Carpal Tunnel surgery. Sewing moc, leggings and ribbon isn't as easy as it used to be.

Will keep all posted as I go