By Leah Shoberg
From what I learned first hand, Mark Warren was a pretty incredible person. Though I was wary before the trip, it was more with curiosity then nervousness. Those who shared this experience with me were; Craig Shrupp, Drew Emmings, David Larson-Hughes, Shaun Johnson, Shane Gardner, Tom Miller, myself, Laura Huberty, Jessica Turner, Heather Trowbridge, Elissa Johnson, Katie Tierney, and Mini alumni Marcelle Dorenkamp. Introductions when we arrived seemed to be a very important action. Mark made it a point to memorize all of our names before the day was half over. The first day was an interesting one. Mark taught us some survival skills, like how Native Americans used a ‘throwing stick’ as a weapon to kill animals for food. Though we ourselves, in this day and age, most likely won’t have to take such measures for food, the knowledge gave us insight about the people who lived on this land in the past. Mark also showed us ways to approach an animal without being noticed by ‘stalking’ toward it. An essential skill considering that one would have to get near to an animal before killing it. The day progressed smoothly, and near the end of it we were all talking and laughing over a naming game Mark taught us; One person chooses two letters out of the alphabet and the rest of the group tries to figure out the name of a famous person with those initials. The person who figures out a name chooses the next two initials. it turned out to be a popular game for the rest of the trip, Katie Tierney seemed to have a knack for it. During dinner we played the initial game, and afterwards Mark taught us some old Native American sign language that we would be using to communicate with on the island during the last day.
After dinner and signing for a little bit, Mark showed us how we would be making fire the next day. When we all awoke in the morning, we were prepared to make fire. After a search for the proper tools, we played a game that helped us to use the stalking-skills we learned the day before. Only a few of us “killed” the (stuffed) animal, proving that most of us would not have lunch. If stalking an animal was the only way to get food of course. But on this trip we gorged on PB&J Baby!
Any how, the rest of the day consisted of us making a feeble attempt to make fire, (Shane got close though) and Mark figuring out what our spirit names would be. By us only giving Mark a short description of ourselves each, he was able to determine what Spirit name suited us the best. You see, in the times before we came to this country, and even some times today, Native Americans were named by the type of people they were, and by their most prominent trait.
So that evening, around the camp fire, Mark gave us our Spirit names. We had the option of accepting them or throwing them away. We all seemed to accept them and shared them to each other with pride. It was a very spiritual , and personal experience. The ‘naming ceremony’ gave (I hope) all of us insight into ourselves. I know it did for me.
That night, after the ceremony, the whole group of us Mini kids just sat around the fire and talked and joked and laughed as though we were all old friends, meeting again after a long separation. We reminisced of the experiences of the day, and spoke of the possibilities of tomorrow.
The next morning, we all prepared ourselves for the ‘sweat lodge ceremony.’ Early in the morning, Mark went over to the island in the middle of the St. Croix river and began heating large stones in a big bonfire. At around nine o’clock or so, we all were ferried over in canoes. Do you remember how I mentioned earlier about the sign language? Here’s where it comes in. On the island, we were not aloud to speak with our voices, only with our hands, and expressions. It taught patience, and a greater awareness of the wilderness around us.
A group of nine kids, out of the thirteen that was there, went into the sweat lodge. A few had to excuse themselves from the lodge because of the pressing heat, so at the end of the ceremony, there was only seven of us left in the lodge. During the ceremony, Mark made offerings to all of the seven directions (N, S, E, W, Up, Down, and Within) by pouring a cup for each onto the hot rocks, creating steam. The sweat lodge is supposed to open your pores and clean them out by making you sweat. So, to close the pores, we all had to jump into the cold St. Croix river afterwards. I almost had a heart attack because it was so cold. But we all made it all right, and our skin felt like it was brand new, all soft and clean.
Being with Mark and receiving just a fraction of the knowledge he possesses was the experience of a lifetime. I don’t know how anyone could pass up meeting this person. Everything we did taught me something about the past, about myself, and the possible future. I hope that some time in the future I will have the opportunity to meet this remarkable person again, and perhaps better thank him for the insights and the lessons I’ve learned just by being in his company. Thank you Mark.