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The announcement came as dusk fell over the great Tribal council. The Chiefs and Sachems of the two remaining contending tribes stood, hand in hand, facing the White Woman (right). “And the winner of the 2006 Indian Games.... winning with a record total of 67.5 points... are... the Onondaga.” The council erupted in cheers from the winners and congratulations from the vanquished, as the Onondaga win the overall title for the first time this century. “I am so psyched,” gushed winning Sachem Georgia Ladd. “I’m so happy! All these years I’ve been staring at the names of other people on the champion poster. Now I get to see my name!”
 The Council Fire ceremony featured a mix of anticipation and celebration, as well as entertainment and solemn ritual. The Mohawk presented a story and dance explaining the meaning of their winning tribal project. The Wise Man read a passage from the winning tribal journal, also the Mohawk (see below). The Mighty Sachem praised the braves and princesses on their effort and spirit, and announced that the tribes are again at peace. In the end, the winning Chief placed his tribal sign at the very top of the council ring entry arch (left).
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The Onondaga took a big lead into the final day of Native American competition, but morning victories by the Seneca and Cayuga did much to give the other tribes the hope of a late comeback.
 In Camp MacCready’s Tribal Tasks, the Seneca captured their second straight all-girls event, having taken the Great Journey the previous day. “We totally rocked,” said Seneca Teonna O’Leary. “Not partially. We totally rocked all the way down!” In analyzing how the win played into the overall picture, Jessica Sieger stated, “I think we now have a good chance of winning, but the boys will have to do well.”
Unfortunately for the Seneca, the boys did not do well in the morning, finishing last in the Great Indian Relay Race. That event was won in dominating fashion by the Cayuga. The tribe in green took the lead in the early stages, extended that lead with a solid canoe and portage by Jordan Dunleavy and Jack Lenz, and sealed the victory when Lucas Schaffer crossed the finish line to conclude his one mile run. In addition, the Cayuga placed second to the Mohawk in the message portion of the event, to secure an easy overall win. For the Cayuga, it was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Indian Days.
 The final conflict took place in the afternoon: the coed Capture the Chief’s Bonnet. Knowing they needed to score a big win, and trying to do whatever it could to do it, the Tuscarota worked out an alliance with the Cayuga in an attempt to overtake the front-running Onondaga. Alliances rarely work, and 2006 was no exception. “We promised not to take each others bonnet,” claimed Tuscy Amir Hay, “but then they surrounded us. We trusted them too much.” Taking advantage of the broken treaty, Tuscarora Natalie Whitney then promptly stole the Cayuga bonnet. “They had taken our flag so the treaty was broken. After I got their flag, I went back to our area and everyone was cheering!” The net result- exactly what the aligning tribes were looking to avoid- an Indian Games clinching Onondaga victory.
Indian Days. Just two days. But two long, powerful, emotional days that campers will long remember. Said two-time Tuscarora Chief Geoff Livsey, who has been taking part longer than any other current camper, “It was very intense this year. Hard fought. But, as always, a lot of fun.” (See Final Results HERE)
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