Organizational Overview

TRIBE

The Pathfinder Tribe is a group of approximately six to eight father and daughter teams. The tribe usually meets twice monthly in the homes of its members on a rotating basis. Meeting nights are dependent on the parents schedules. Father and daughter are expected to attend as a team. Therefore, each father and daughter team is kept on a one to one basis within the tribal group.

The tribes are usually named after American Indian tribes, with the name selection made by the members of the new tribe. Tribe members also select Indian names for themselves with the father and daughter working together to find a name that has personal meaning and reflects honor. The American Indians employed one or more of the following methods:

• The Elder's vision of what the child may turn out to be (i.e. A guide to her future, such as Silver Bird, Peace Maker, and Straight Arrow).
• Something that stood out in the parents' minds the day the child was born (i.e. Bright Star, Snow Rabbit, Sleeping Bear).
• The hope of the parent or child for his/her future (Strong Heart, Steady Wind, Brave Wolf or Wise Owl).
• The traits of the parent or child (Great Thunder, Tall Cedar, Keen Eyes, Quiet Squirrel).
• An experience of great meaning to the family (Clear Water, Running Deer, Red Sky).

Fathers serve as officers and their daughters share in the responsibilities of the office. Each tribe elects a Chief who represents the tribe at the monthly planning (Longhouse) meetings. In addition, each tribe selects a Medicine Man to organize the award activities, and a Wampum Bearer to control the tribe's funds. Typically, these positions are rotated on an annual basis from member to member. The goal is to get everyone involved in the duties of the tribe.

The activities of a tribe depend largely on the age of its members and the length of time the tribe has been together. Tribes that are just beginning, typically ages five through seven, usually center their activities around regularly scheduled meetings.

Although some structure is recommended to provide continuity for younger children, there is no right or wrong when father and daughter are doing activities together.

Tribe meetings are a source of activity for the younger children. The Native American theme provides an excellent backdrop for stories, crafts, games, and beadwork. The activities are geared toward assisting the girls in getting to know their fellow tribe members as well as getting to spend precious time with dad.

The wampum (treasury) grows as each girl contributes the amount of dues determined by the tribe. The wampum report is an opportunity for the girls to tell their tribe little chores they did around the house or some act of kindness they extended to another person. In doing so they gain the experience and confidence of speaking in public and contributing to the tribe's wampum chest. As the wampum grows, the whole tribe reaps the benefits of their hard work by sharing in some special activity (going for an ice cream or seeing a movie).

Girls receive a bead after they complete an activity leading to an award. Beadwork is a unique activity that father and daughter work on together a t home, or as a tribe activity. Completed beadwork is brought to the tribe meetings to share and discuss. Although it is the girls who receive the awards for doing the beadwork, the time spent together while reading, crafting, searching, or building is what the program is all about.

As the girls progress and mature, the tribe-based activities tend to change, as they should. Dads should always strive to be creative in planning meetings. Also, the girls should begin to assume more responsibility in the planning process, giving them a greater sense of ownership. Bike rides, skiing, museums and picnics can serve as meeting substitutions. Acts of community service are always appreciated by local organizations. Examples include visiting nursing homes, spending time at a soup kitchen, assisting elderly with home chores, or digging out snow-covered fire hydrants.

NATION

All father and daughter members, grouped in tribes, together form the Pathfinder Nation.

The Pathfinder Nation officers, not to be confused with the tribe officers, are nominated and elected by the fathers of all tribes during the Spring Campout. The Nation officers and respective responsibilities are:

• Nation Chief
  • Executive Director of the Organization (Nation)
  • Runs Longhouse Meetings
• Medicine Man
  • Conducts Initiation Ceremonies
  • Coordinates Awards Program
• Wampum Bearer
  • Treasurer, Administers Finances
• Sandpainters (2)
  • Publish Monthly Newsletter
  • Maintain Master Member List
• War Chief
  • Keeps Log of Nation Events

This is the core body that is responsible for organizing group activities, fundraising events, recruitment and awards. This is accomplished through a series of open meetings referred to as Longhouse meetings.

The Nation officers call the nation together at monthly "Longhouse" meetings to address issues, problems, activities or ideas that affect the nation as a whole. These meetings are held throughout the year and are attended by the Nation's officers, tribe chiefs )or designated alternates), and any members able to attend.

The schedule, as well as important notes and decisions from these meetings, are published in the organization's newsletter called "Smoke Signals".

"Smoke Signals" advertises upcoming events and provides all the details associated with each activity such as date, time place, directions and cost.

AWARDS PROGRAM

The Awards Program was developed to provide a formal and structured means for the Pathfinder to achieve levels within the organization based on successfully completing mandatory and elective requirements. Requirements will include knowledge of the Organization, Indian Folklore and Customs, and Nature.

The Awards Program is not intended to be competitive, but rather an incentive program for the Pathfinder to become more active in the organization by performing challenging activities. This is where the father and daughter join together, spending time to reach a common goal. The Nation recognizes the Pathfinder's accomplishments by awarding the respective level award that will be worn on a necklace, as well as a colored feather for the number of years in the program. This happens at the annual Awards Banquet.

How The Awards Program Works

The Pathfinder must display and/or demonstrate the activities to her tribe . Upon completion of each activity, a colored bead will be given to her by the tribe's medicine man until the eight activities for the respective level are achieved. Upon successful completion of each level, the Pathfinder will receive from the Nation at the annual Awards Banquet, the award earned.

AWARD LEVELS

There are six (6) levels to attain. They are as follows in the order in which they are earned and received:

1. Turtle

2. Horse

3. Deer

4. Owl

5. Wowitan

6. Running Bear

Each level requires that four (4) mandatory activities and four (4) optional activities are successfully completed. The second level cannot be received prior to the first, the third before the second, and so on. However, multiple levels can be awarded at the banquet so long as they are sequential (i.e. Turtle and Horse, Horse and Deer, and so on).

AWARDS CEREMONY

Two elements make up the Awards Ceremony: 1) Necklace patch and bear claws for Levels one through four; Wowitan headdress and medallion for level 5; Running Bear award for level 6; and 2) The applicable colored feather for the number of years in the Pathfinder Program

Necklace Patch Awards

Upon successful completion of the eight activities for levels 1 through 4, the Pathfinder is eligible for the respective patch award. The patch is made of leather stamped with the image of each level, and is to be worn on the leather necklace which is included with the Turtle Award.

Wowitan

The Wowitan, which is the Indian word for honor, is the highest activity award a Pathfinder can achieve. The Wowitan signifies that the Pathfinder has earned the right to wear the Wowitan headdress and medallion for completing forty activities. The Wowitan headdress is distinguishable by the white plumes attached to the top of the feathers. The amount of feathers in the headdress signify the years the Pathfinder has been in the program. The Wowitan medallion, which is worn on a necklace, includes an inscription of the Pathfinder's Indian name.

Running Bear

The running Bear award is named in recognition of Mr. Rob Olford. Rob has been, and continues to be a leading force in the ongoing evolution of this program. In particular, Rob's commitment in guiding the Nation's efforts in community service has been an inspiration to us all.

The Running Bear award requires that the Pathfinder perform an additional eight activities. Upon completion of these activities the Pathfinder will receive two gold bear claws to wear with the Wowitan medallion, a white feather with a red plume, and a certificate to display her accomplishment. Additional bear claws can be earned for additional activities completed.

Feathers

Each year at the Awards Banquet the Pathfinder, whether or not she receives an award, will receive a colored feather representing the total years she has been in the program. The colored feather will be received in the following order:

Year	Color
1st	Black & White (Eagle Feather)
2nd	Yellow
3rd	Green
4th	Red
5th	Blue
6th	Orange
7th	Pink w/White Plume (Assumes Wowitan Earned)
8th	Pink w/Yellow Plume
9th	Pink w/Green Plume
10th	Pink w/Red Plume
11th	Pink w/Blue Plume
12th	Pink w/Orange Plume

Recruitment is essential to the continued success and growth of our program. We acknowledge those Pathfinders who bring in additional members by awarding a purple feather for each new member.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR AWARDS PROGRAM

Pathfinder and Father

The Pathfinder and father are responsible for assuring that all activities for each applicable level are successfully completed. An activity-tracking sheet should be used to assure accuracy. The Pathfinder must display or demonstrate to her tribe that she researched, created performed, etc., the activity. Upon satisfactory completion of the activity, the applicable colored bead is presented. When a Pathfinder receives eight of a particular colored bead, she is now eligible for the applicable patch award.

Tribe

The Medicine Man or Chief of the tribe is responsible for monitoring the activity progress of each Pathfinder. The Medicine Man is the holder of the beads that will be distributed. The cost of the beads is the responsibility of the tribe. In addition, the Medicine Man must keep the Nation Medicine Man informed of the awards and colored feathers that each Pathfinder will be receiving at the annual Awards Banquet, as well as any additional awards, T-shirt sizes, etc., that may be handed out at the two campouts.

Nation

The Nation Medicine Man is responsible for coordinating all award activities with the tribes, as well as procuring the materials, fabricating the awards and presenting them at the Awards Banquet and the two campouts: All associated costs at this level are the responsibility of the Nation.

Program Overview

Fundraising

• One or two per year
• Art auction, car wash, candy sale, yard sale, etc.

Campouts

• Two per year
  • Fall (1 night) - Late September
  • Spring (2 Nights) - Early June
• Cost: $7.50 per person, per night
• Location: Wasserman Park - Merrimack, NH
• Includes meals, cabins, crafts and entertainment, campout patches and year bars, and paper certificates
• Tribes sponsor individual meals, events and activities: Save receipts for reimbursement

Dads only tribe meeting mechanics

• Distribute program guide
• Choose first meeting night and place
• Distribute Nation calendar
• Discuss Tribal office positions - rotate yearly
  • Chief
  • Medicine Man
  • Wampum Bearer
• Prepare dads to work with daughters on Indian names and tribe names
• Roster information
  • Names: Dad, Mother, Daughter
  • Indian Names: Dad and Daughter
  • Daughter's age
  • Address, Town and Zip Code
  • Home phone number
  • Directions to your house

First meeting commitments

• Date and Time
• Location
• Game
• Craft
• Snack
• Invitation

Discuss head count commitment for Fall campout

Discuss Tribe Wampum Money

• Tribe dues to be used for tribe activity (ice cream, movies, etc.)

First Meeting

• Select tribe name
• Elect Officers
• All members introduce themselves by Indian names.
• All girls discuss good deeds or chores performed and donate to wampum bucket/pouch
• Tribe recite Nation Pledge
• Tribe recite Nation Aims
• Tribe sings Nation Song
• Tribe members present beadwork activities
• Simple Game
• Simple Craft
• Simple Story
• Simple snack
• Firm commitment/attendance at fall campout/with dues
• Distribute Tribal Calendar/Schedule
• Distribute Complete Tribal Roster
• T-shirt sizes for Pathfinders and dads