This Article was sent to National Order of the Arrow to be printed in the Order's National Bulletin per the permision of Clyde Mayer, Director of Order of the Arrow.


In 1998 the new Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan was unveiled. On the second page of it is the statement "We will strengthen our focus on the symbolism of the Arrow, as related to the individual and to leadership, so eloquently articulated in the Ordeal ceremony. To do this effectively we will de-emphasize our American Indian image, placing it in proper context- as one of the tools we use to enhance our program. We do not propose eliminating the Indian from our ceremonies or our activities."Perhaps it is time not to de-emphasize but to divest ourselves, not only the OA, but all aspects of the Boy Scout Program, of the Indian imagery!
The reasons are many. Our portrayal perpetuates a negative stereotype of our country's first people. The OA legend infers that it comes from the Leni Lanape (Delaware) people of the East Coast, but in fact is contrived from James Fenimore Cooper's "Leather Stocking Tales" the most famous of which is "The Last of The Mohicans." There are also some ideas from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha." Lets add to the mix that many of our ceremony teams dress in the Plains culture style of dress, complete with the stereotypical "chief's bonnet", which is more properly known as a "war bonnet", typical of the plains cultures. Then let's throw in the statement that we are "preserving the culture." To preserve something we should be the owners of it or at the very least have a comprehensive and factual understanding of it. The vast majority of us are not American Indian so we can't own it, and most of us do not even have a rudimentary understanding of the cultures we are trying to portray. With the mix I described above we are in fact using, and in some cases re-creating the culture, not preserving it. The cultures of the American Indian are alive, well, and thriving! They have no need for outside organizations to help them preserve THEIR culture!
Many of the People involved with "Indians" in the OA, and other areas of BSA, have little or no understanding of these cultures and, as a result offend native peoples. I am not accusing anyone of intentionally maligning native cultures but, if you act in ignorance you still offend. This is no different than being convicted of a crime for a law you were not aware of. Try telling the officer that you did not know the speed limit was 55 when you were driving 70 and see what he/she tells you. Ignorance is no excuse. Until a few years ago we may not have been aware of, or sensitive to, what can be discriminatory and how stereotyping can hurt but, today we cannot claim ignorance!
If the "Indian" theme is only "one" of the tools then why in the 1999 LLDC syllabus is there a nine page script for a "Native American Activities" breakout session where discussion on the possible use Native American style dance and drum teams for recruiting and retention tools is suggested? It seems rather odd to de-emphasize the "Indian" and place it in its proper perspective as one of the tools and yet emphasize it for this purpose. Perhaps the message about what our purpose is within the scouting organization would be further lost if this "tool" is in fact used! We need to analyze why we have problems recruiting and/or retaining members. We then need to make adjustments in our program which will enhance the desire to be or remain a member. To perpetuate this stereotype to try and enhance our membership is wrong. It also sends the wrong message of what our organization is really about. When we are seen we should be seen providing leadership and service and not as "Indians."
As an advisor for Native American Culture for Agaming Lodge I have the opportunity to visit many ceremonies from callout to Vigil. When speaking to members about what they remember, the great majority remember the hard work and the "Indians." Most don't recall the message conveyed in the ceremonies. If it were only newly inducted Ordeal members I could account this to being fatigued however, when other Ordeal and Brotherhood members speak the same way, I start to wonder if the vehicle used to relay the message to members is working. The message of leadership and service is the important part of the equation, the stereotypical scenery is eye wash.
There are many other issues I could cite about how we are perpetuating this stereotype but that could take more space than what can be given here. Just look with a critical eye on the ceremonies, dance and drum teams, and meetings using "Indian" themes. Perhaps you too will see the stereotypical image in those performances. Perhaps then you too will agree that it is time to look for another vehicle to transmit the message of the Order.
For further information regarding negative stereotypes of American Indians, articles regarding opinions about racism among native peoples, or an Indian perspective of how mainstream society stereotypes them contact http://www.stereotype.f2s.com .
If you support this view about the OA, and in other areas of scouting, and would like to see a change contact your local council and the National office and urge them to take steps to re-assess their position about the use of negative stereotypes regarding American Indian culture. We as scouting volunteers, scouts, and concerned citizens should express our concerns about stereotyping and racism in any culture whenever and where ever it happens. If we do not we are just as guilty as the people who perpetuate it! The many cultures that make up our country have gifts to share with the others. We owe it to ourselves to have an accurate and respectful understanding of other cultures that comprise our country's citizens.