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After weeks of grueling and intense competition, the 2007 Indian Games ended in quite an improbable manner: an exact numerical tie between the Cayuga and Onondaga tribes! The standings were remarkably close between these two tribes and the Mohawk and Seneca entering the last day of the games, but the tribes of green and black dominated yesterday’s events to pull away from the pack. However, the story does not end with the final Council Fire, for this year there was a strange and controversial ending to Indian Games, an ending without precedent in camp history. But let’s start at the beginning before proceeding to the end.
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In the morning’s Tribal Tasks competition, the Cayuga girls gained the victory due to their great teamwork on the relay legs. Emma Berry was also commended for her fine dash in the Meadow  Sprint on behalf of the Mohawks. Meanwhile, the Mohawk boys stepped up with an impressive accomplishment in the Great Relay Race, finishing second in both the speed portion of the race as well as in terms of message accuracy. Maxx Eichberg ran a speedy final leg to assure the Onondaga of first place for speed, while the Seneca finished with the most accurate message. The afternoon brought the always-thrilling Capture the Chief’s Bonnet, and the flourhawks were flying as each tribe was well aware that this contest might determine the overall winner. Foreshadowing the final outcome, the Cayuga were victorious in the first two games, but the Onondaga, rallied by Spencer Ivey’s dramatic capture of a bonnet in the last minute, scored a huge tally in the third game to take a first place for the afternoon. |
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In addition to the contests on the field, the tribes also competed in two other areas: the tribal project  and the tribal journal. This year’s project was to design and construct the best dream catcher, and here the Onondaga were declared victorious (see picture at left). It was the Cayuga, however, that wrote the best account of the games, and an excerpt from their journal can be found below. These last two results were announced at yesterday evening’s council fire, and tensions were high as the White People summoned the chiefs and sachems to the front of the council ring. The scores were incredibly close, and the Tuscarora, Mohawk, and Seneca were announced to have finished fifth, fourth, and third respectively. Two hundred braves and princesses were silent as the final announcment was made: the Cayuga were champions! Wild celebration erupted amongst the Cayuga while gracious applause and congratulatory chants of “C-A-Y-U-G-A” broke out from the other four tribes. The Cayuga next had the privilege of running the gauntlet of cheers and high fives from their competitors before finally hanging their tribal sign in the position of honor above the council ring entrance. |
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And that would usually be the end of this story. Until this year. Until today. At 12:30 P.M. all  campers were called to the Indian council ring, and amidst a downpour of rain an Iroqouis elder (at right) addressed the assembled masses. “The White People have been arrogant”, he intoned, “and have forgotten that our knowledge is superior to their own. And thus the White People have erred, and I stand here now to tell you where each tribe truly stands in respect to the competitions that have just been held.” And with this startling turn of events, it was announced that while the Tuscarora remained in fifth place, the Mohawk and the Seneca were now tied for third, and that while the Cayuga remained champions, the Onondaga now joined them as co-champions. The unburied hatchet was revealed to show the green and black stripes on the shaft, and all the tribes joined in applause for the two winning groups. The final results, though delayed in their arrival, show that these Indian Games have been as competitive as any that have been contested, with two ties and just four points separating the top four tribes. All in all, it was incredible competition with an even more incredible ending! To see the final point standings, click here. To see even more photos of Indian Days, click here to go to today’s gallery. |
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the preparation for this game was quite overwhelming for our leaders, and even more so for our new braves and princesses. Intermediate section was bustling with activity as chiefs and sachems sorted their tribes into pathfinders, foragers, and scavengers. Gradually, the chaos subsided and all the tribes quieted as they advanced to the starting line in the sand pit. We all tensed our muscles. Our breath quieted to a whisper. The sun beat down overhead. The wind stilled. And then came the start.
