“I hope you made plenty of fried bread,” Joe said to his mother a few hours later. The family had gathered in the kitchen for a quick breakfast before the Pow-Wow.
“We made five baskets to bring with us,” Violet said, “and we saved some just for you.” She pointed to the heavy cast-iron skillet where squares of bread dough were sizzling to a rich golden brown.
“May I try some?” Benny asked. With tongs, Violet carefully lifted a square of bread out of the pan. Then she dipped it in powdered sugar and handed it to him on a napkin.
“Maybe you’d better take it with you, son,” Mr. Lightfeather said, glancing at his watch. “It’s getting late, and we don’t want to miss the opening ceremony.”
They quickly loaded the van, and Benny made a dash upstairs for his belt. He wanted to display it at the Pow-Wow, but he knew he’d never sell it. It meant too much to him.
When everyone was finally settled in the van, Benny realized that Jessie and Amy were wearing their buckskin dresses. “Wow, you’ve got real Navajo costumes,” he said admiringly.
“We call it regalia,” Amy corrected him gently. “Jessie and I will be dancing right after the Grand Entry.”
The area chosen for the Pow-Wow was in a clearing at the edge of the forest. Joe had explained to the Aldens that one special area was roped off in a circle. It was holy ground and had been blessed by the elders of the tribe. All the dancing and ceremonial rites would be held there.
Mr. Lightfeather parked the van in a field, and the children jumped out excitedly. “Look how many cars there are,” Amy said to Joe. “It looks like the whole town has turned out for the Pow-Wow.”
The Aldens helped the Lightfeathers set up a folding table and arrange the trays of traditional Navajo dishes — corn bread, chili fritters, and stuffed sweet peppers.
“We’d better hurry,” Mrs. Lightfeather said. “It’s almost time for the Grand Entry.” After making a final check of the table, everyone headed for the roped-off area, passing dozens of booths filled with Navajo jewelry and pottery.
“Look, there’s Kinowok,” Henry pointed out. He spotted the elderly leader in full regalia, leading a group of men and women toward the circle.
“He’ll say the opening blessing,” Joe explained. “Then we’ll have the inter-tribal dances.”
Jessie felt a little nervous when she heard the drumbeat, but Amy squeezed her hand reassuringly. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “We’re the last ones on the schedule.”
“That gives me more time to worry,” Jessie whispered back.
Amy laughed. “Just enjoy watching the dancers. And when it’s our turn, forget the crowd and pretend you’re back in my room.”
The people bowed their heads for the blessing, and then four spirited young men performed the Snake Dance in the center of the ring. The drumbeat became faster as they advanced and retreated to the edge of the ropes.
“The Snake Dance is my favorite part of the Pow-Wow,” Joe confided to Henry.
“Why would anyone want to dance like a snake?” Benny asked.
“The snake is very important to us because he lives close to the ground,” Amy told him. “Whenever the soil is dry and parched, he can send a message to the gods.” She smiled. “At least, that’s what our ancestors thought.”
The Aldens watched the dancing for over an hour, and then Jessie heard the Swan Dance being announced over a loudspeaker.
“That’s us,” Amy said, tugging at her arm. “Don’t forget your shawl,” she added as she ducked under the rope and into the ring.
She and Jessie stood perfectly still, waiting until the drum began beating a familiar rhythm. Then, right on cue, both girls swayed back and forth, the fringe on their outfits floating on the crisp breeze. Jessie moved through the steps easily, and was so caught up in the music, she forgot to be nervous. When the song was over, she was startled by the burst of applause.
“You were great!” Amy whispered, as they rejoined the family.
“What’s next?” Benny said. He liked watching the dances, especially the ones with spears and shields, but he was hungry.
“How about an early lunch?” Mrs. Lightfeather suggested.
“C’mon,” Joe offered. “I’ll take you on a tour of the food booths.”
“Can we start over there? Whatever he’s making sure smells good.” Benny pointed to a man cooking over an open fire.
Joe looked over his shoulder and nodded. “That’s Bobbie Redbird from the Ute tribe. And you’ll never guess what he’s cooking — tortillas!”
“Let’s go!” Benny yelled, scampering away.
“Mom, would you like to walk around with Dad for a while?” Amy offered. She glanced at her friends. “Jessie and Violet and I can take care of our booth.”
“That would be nice,” Mrs. Lightfeather said, linking her arm through her husband’s. “We only get to see some of our friends once a year at the Pow-Wow.”
After lunch, all the children visited a craft booth, and Henry picked up a strange-looking object. It was a round wooden hoop with gauzy threads woven back and forth through the center. “What’s this?” he asked, puzzled.
“Oh, that’s a dream catcher,” Joe said. “We always kept one in our bedrooms when we were little.”
“But what’s it for?”
Joe grinned. “It lets the good dreams in and keeps the bad ones out.”
“I think I’ll buy one,” Benny said. “Then I’ll never get nightmares again.”
“Let’s all buy one,” Jessie suggested. She was looking over the selection when Kinowok and Michael Running Deer approached them. Jessie noticed that Michael was wearing a beaded necklace with his denim shirt.
“That was very fine dancing,” Kinowok said to Jessie. His brown eyes were twinkling as he solemnly shook hands with her. “I think you should become an honorary member of our tribe.”
“I told her she dances like a Navajo,” Amy said proudly.
“And you, Benny, are you enjoying the Pow-Wow?” Kinowok rested his hand on the young boy’s shoulder.
“I sure am!” Benny whirled around in a circle waving his dream catcher in the air. “Did you hear what happened last night?” he blurted out. “We had police cars and everything at the house. It was scary!”
“What happened?” Kinowok’s voice was serious, and Michael Running Deer stepped closer.
Henry briefly told them what had happened, and finished with a description of Ted Clark and Rita Neville being arrested.
“It’s just as I suspected,” Kinowok said. He leaned on his walking stick, and looked sad. “In their greed, they thought of the artifacts as treasure. They didn’t understand the real importance of them. They tried to steal a part of our history.”
“Then you think we’ve really discovered the ancient village?” Joe asked.
Kinowok nodded. “I feel very certain of it. I suspected Rita Neville was not trustworthy so when I knew you were getting close, I urged her to leave the reservation. If she had heeded my warning, she and Ted Clark both would be free now.”
“You warned her?” Amy asked.
“Of course — the note!” Violet said, suddenly understanding. “You must have written that note to Rita. She accused us of putting it under her door at the motel.”
Kinowok tapped his chest with his palm. “I did it. I wanted to give them one last chance to leave us alone.” He shrugged. “But they ignored my plea, and now they must pay the price.”
“At least it’s all over now,” Henry said.
“That’s right,” Joe offered. “Tomorrow Mom and Dad are going to bring all the artifacts to the town council. Once the judge sees what we’ve found, he’ll protect the forest. Then someone can start a real excavation and find the lost village.”
“Unless the developer tries to fight it,” Amy said.
“I don’t think he will,” Henry said. “Not if he realizes what’s at stake.”
Kinowok looked at Michael Running Deer. “Is that true, my friend? You work for the developer. Will he leave quietly once he learns about the ancient village?”
Michael looked directly into the old man’s eyes. “I don’t know what will happen,” he said softly. “It’s not up to me.”
“I understand.” Kinowok patted him on the shoulder. “Some things are out of your hands.” He smiled at the children. “Tomorrow will be here soon enough. Let’s enjoy the rest of the Pow-Wow.”
The day passed quickly for the Aldens. Mrs. Lightfeather sold all of the baked goods she brought, and Joe sold half a dozen beaded belts. Both Benny and Henry had decided to keep the belts they had made.
It was late afternoon when the men performed the Spear and Shield Dance to close the Pow-Wow. Benny sat cross-legged on the ground and watched as two warriors in full regalia pretended to do battle in the center of the ring. At the end, one of them waved his spear and moved into a fast war dance as the drumbeats reached a climax.
Then everyone held hands as they joined in a closing song, watching as the huge bonfire turned to embers.
“I’ll always remember this, won’t you?” Violet whispered to Jessie.
Jessie nodded, swaying to the music. She knew that she would never forget her Navajo friends and everything they had taught her.
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