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While each camp- the boys and girls- have already held one Indian Games event, the new braves and princesses did not become official members  of their tribe until last night.
It was the 104th annual Tribal Elections and Initiations. The five tribes were sent off to separate meeting places where the new campers were led through some challenging, yet harmless initiation tasks to prove their worthiness of joining the clan. Jay Straus, new Tuscarora reports, “We had to dunk our head in the water. Nothing scary.” Brand new Onondaga Sam Jessner concurred. “We had to dunk our heads in the lake. But then the counselors jumped in as well.” As returning Seneca Andrew Gonzalez put it: “We have to think of something new next year!”
The initiations were preceded by the all important tribal election. Eight spots were on the ballot: Chief/Sachem; Assistant Chief/Sachem; Medicine Man and Woman, and the tribal Storytellers.
In one of the fun twists of the evening, Xlylina Robles was elected as Sachem of the Tuscarora while her brother, Xavier, was voted Onondaga Chief. While he did not comment on the “X-factor”, Xavier did speak of the humble responsibility of being in charge of a nation. “It’s scary and cool at the same time. Whatever happens, you have to step up the pace.”
Nathan Swan, long-time Medicine Man and newly elected Cayuga Chief noted, “With this comes responsibility. I think we have a superb chance to win this year.” Onondaga Dorothy Farrell is another who has come up through the officer ranks to become in charge. “I wanted to be Sachem this year. Last year I was Storyteller. I want to help out the tribe. What I’m most nervous about is having to compete against good friends who are also Sachems!” (CLICK HERE to see a listing of all tribal officers)
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well in soccer.
