Pasco Band of Creek Indians instructed by Dr. Margaret Bogan
On Saturday November 12th I attended a service learning opportunity put on by Dr. Margaret Bogan, an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and a member of the Pasco Band of Creek Indian’s Turtle clan. She spoke about traditional medicinal use of indigenous plants, the culture and history of her clan, as well as the implications of sustainability in the modern world. Dr. Bogan addressed that she is moved by the spirits in how she speaks and presents and that often results in a bit of all over the place, random, scattered thoughts, which is reflected in my paper as well.
Dr. Bogan asked us about what we have been taught to equate the chief of a tribe to. I thought of a chief sort of as a mayor. A well respected individual elected to represent a group of their constituents. Dr. Bogan explained to us that a chief is a servant of the people. Although they are usually a tribal elder, they are “the bottom of the totem pole.” They can be voted out if their work does not please the people.
The location of our meeting had to be moved from on the reservation in Brooksville, FL to on campus at FGCU due to the passing of a tribal member. Dr. Bogan explained to us that in Creek culture you can’t speak the name of the departed for a certain period of time after they have passed. Otherwise, their spirit which may still be in transit can hear you and perhaps become turned around and return to earth. The period is often four days as four is a sacred number for her people but the family of the departed my set the amount of time that you cannot say their name. This time could be days, weeks, months, or even years.
You do not ever touch a stray owl feather. Owls are said to guide your spirit into the afterlife whether you have been good or bad, they will lead you to the correct place. If the owl should happen to drop a feather while leading a bad person, that feather will forever be tainted with bad spirits.
Dr. Bogan told us that at the center of their church is fire. It is believed that the smoke from the fire carries the prayers up to the creator. When a fire is finished it must be buried so all the thoughts that went along with the fire may be ended also.
Band of Creek Indians are not federally recognized. They are one of twenty five tribes that have state recognition. They do not receive any federal funding. They do not conduct private schools but rather all children attend public schools. They are a cultural group of people and you need not be a blood descendant to gain membership but rather of association or assimilation.
There are technical differences between what constitutes a clan and what constitutes a tribe. I tribe is bigger than a clan. Their tribe has eight clans which included bear, beaver, panther, snake, and the turtle clan to which she belongs. If you are blood relation then you are said to belong to the clan named animal.
Creek people are different than any other tribe in that when they dance around a fire they move in a counterclockwise direction whereas all other North American tribes move clockwise.
Dr. Bogan told us a story of traditional lore of the “Stigini.” A Stigini is a small, mythical creature who could be equated somewhat similarly to a leprechaun.
In the Creek culture there are no formal teachings. All craft, skills, and lore are taught by invitation when the educator believes you to be ready. You are not to ask to be taught. Although even if you do, your request can be turned down. This can cause frustrations for children when they enter public school as in their Creek culture they have been raised not to ask questions. There are also many things in Creek culture that are taught gender specifically. Males and females do not learn the same things.
“He-sa-keeta-ma-see” is their Creator, “the giver of breath,” he who allows humans to have relationships with plants, animals, and everything else he placed on this earth. In the opening ceremony of tribal dances, for example, you thank the crow for lightening your heart then you thank God for giving you the crow. During the ceremonies, where the prayers are lifted to the Creator through the smoke, the problems amongst people get buried with the ashes and then can never be brought up again.
All Native American tribes are warrior societies. They have nothing to do with peace. Of the 100 men in the Band of Creek Turtle Clan: 30 of them have earned Purple Hearts, 10 Silver Stars, 2 Air Force Medals, and 10-15 Bronze Stars. This shows that even in modern times much of their ancient warrior ways are preserved and that they are very successful in times of war.
We also learned about the hierarchy with in the clans and tribes. Each tribe is led by a Micco. Even today, a Micco will go hungry in order to feed his tribe. They are his priority, he eats last. In general there is a whole different approach to crime and how it is viewed. They are an “eye for an eye” society. In their culture, murder is not the biggest crime, stealing is. This is because if you steal from someone they may not be able to feed their family and that is viewed as being worse than quickly taking one’s life. The highest tier is the Micanopy- the chief of chiefs. The most resent Micanopy was appointed by Harry Truman when the federal government appointed chiefs. His name was Micanopy Sam Blue. He was also a deputy in the local Sherriff’s department. He was chosen for his knowledge of tradition and his ability to bring people together. He passed away several years ago and the tribes are currently in a four year waiting process before they choose a new Micanopy. Today, Micanopy are elected. Which Dr. Bogan said can sometimes leads to competing rivals resulting in fist fights over gaining control of the position!
The Micco who taught and mentored Dr. Bogan was Micco Randy King. He was called “Mahyla,” which means male teacher. The current Micco is Dean Strus. He is Seneca Indian by birth and was raised in Pennsylvania. He too, is the recipient of the Purple Heart award. Dr. Bogan referred to him being “armed to the teeth,” a man you would not want to cross, who is very protective of his people. Unfortunately, he is currently battling cancer and a number of other health ailments.
The ancestors of the Creek people are originally from South and Central America. They are traditionally mound builders. Those who are referred to as “Red Sticks” are from warrior tribes. Those who are “White Sticks” handle more legal and business issues.
Dr. Bogan reminded us how special we are to be able to attend today as not a lot of elders would approve of letting non Creek people hear the stores we are being told. I agreed that this event was a rare opportunity and one that I am thankful and fortunate to be a part of.
Birds and more specifically, feathers seem to hold a large cultural significance. An egret feather may only be worn in a hat by males and must be given to you. The folklore is that the Creator asked a boy to go to earth and choose which animal was to be his father and protect him. All of the animals got dressed up in anticipation; the raccoon painted his eyes, the cardinal dipped himself in red, all hoping to win the boys affections. The egret, however was the only animal to just continue going about his business, fishing. When the boy returned he said that he had selected the egret as his father because he was a good provider who was focused on bringing food to his family. Wearing an egret feather symbolizes caring for the tribe. Likewise, for every medicine you learn you are allowed to pin another owl feather upon your hat.
Buzzards are also well respected. They are able to take death and make it into life by eating carcasses and converting it into food for themselves. Likewise, their feathers contain a liquid that when pushed through a wound seals it up.
Seeing as there is gender diversity in what is taught, the women’s medicine is basic. It includes caring for headaches, flus, and broken arms. Ceremonial medicine is reserved for Micos. Spiritual medicine is learned only by males.
In traditional times, Plains Indians did a Sun dance. They affixed buffalo skulls to the skin of their chests by lancing the tissue and then dancing till the weight of the skull caused the skin to break. This could take up to two weeks. The Creek people practice what is called the “Switch Cut.” In this experience the strongest young man of a tribe is selected to represent his trive. He is taken into the “round house,” which is a political building. He is given ceremonial medicine and a gauntlet course is set for him to run. All of the tribes members are given switches which to lash his back and legs with as he passes by running the gauntlet. By the end of the first and second day he is welted. By the end of the seventh and eighth day he has open, oozing, bleeding wounds. This practice helps to build the community and bring them together. It also helps the young men to be appreciative. There are usually about eight young men selected and they are switched by about 300 tribes’ members. The plant that is used is from South America and due to exporting concerns it can no longer be moved and the tradition is longer practiced.
Dr. Bogan then moved to medicinal use of plants which I found to be very interesting. In “hot weather” medicine, there are two ingredients: HVSEYVHAGE, the sunflower plant, said to follow the sun, which provides potassium and RHUS COPALILNO, a winged sumac whose berries add a light lemon flavor.
“E’co Ale’dgat” which means “Deer the causer” is the story of how modern aspirin came to be discovered. When deer’s antlers begin to grow it caused the deer much pain as the antlers try to break the skins surface, much like cutting teeth. The deer, in an effort to aid the skin breaking will scratch and bang its head against trees and rocks. The Indians, observed this and realized the deer must have headaches. The next thing the deer did would be to go eat the roots of the “micco hoyvecv,” or red willow tree. This very sacred plant is the main ingredient in aspirin and was derived by the Indians watching deer cure their headaches! You may have noticed the word micco in front; this is because it takes the special expertise of a micco to gather this plant. It must be “passed by the eyes of a micco.” It looks dangerously similar to water hemlock which is deadly. One error could end up killing a whole village. SAYLIC ALBONX, or Carolina Willow, or really any willow except Eastern Willow will work. Bark and leaves contain it too, but it is most concentrated in the roots. Salocin is the ingredient used in aspirin today. You can make tea, smoke it or eat it to have its medicinal benefits.
Nokusi Ale’dja is “bear the causer.” The plant KVCO HVERV YVLUNKV has berries that can loosen up the gut, for a bear that has just awakened from a winter’s worth of slumber or the roots can cause constipation for a bear about to begin constipation. The plant known to us as blackberry root is the ingredient used in Immodium.
Eyelix vomitorium, or holly, has tiny crenulated leaves on long, drooping, evergreen plants with little berries. This plant is often used in landscaping. If you toast the leaves a chemical reaction occurs and you can brew the tea. In Creek this is called “white drink” and will a lot you three to four minutes before you vomit. The active ingredient is caffeine and is used to kill intestinal worms.
Myriea, the plant which makes bay berry scent has bark which is used for potassium regulation, an antibiotic, and fever medicine.
Wahoo, a winged elm has inner bark that can be cut into strips and when dried will make a cast.
Green briar, or rotunda pholeeum root makes pectin that tastes like sasparilla.
Fox grape has been known as nature’s Rogain and in the spring has leaves that can be eaten as a salad.
Young pine needles can be used to make tea and the inner bark can be used as a thickening agent.
Beauty berry which is only edible when grown in rich, shaded soil is otherwise astringent and seedy.
Serenoa repens or saw palmetto aids in prostate health.
Queen’s delight is known as wedding night medicine and is linked to increased virility.
Passion flower, the purple and white version is a common ingredient in sleepy time teas.
Asclepias humistrata or milkweed is used in clotting small wounds. Also when you break a leaf it has antiseptic properties.
Weso sassafrass root makes rootbeer.
St. Johns Wart is sold in stores to treat depression.
There is a white flowering plant called “tread softly.” The flower causes a stinging sensation yet the root can cure it. This is another unique example of a plant that has both. I found this to be odd and interesting and had never heard of any such occurrences, like the tread softly and the blackberry plant, up to this point.
Turkey oak tannic started anti-cancer research. Golden rod helps kidney stone. Yucca foleum helps cure snake bites. Persea, a hot medicine, is for female problems, it is more commonly known as red bay. A hot medicine is a medicine where if done improperly can have fatal results.
Most ceremonial drinks have a purpose for your body.
There is a story which has showed up in Seminole, Miscaogee, and Creek cultures. It is of a big brother and a little brother who after an unsuccessful day fishing on the river spot a fish asking to be eaten. The big brother kills, cooks, and eats the fish but the little brother is suspicious and does not eat the fish. After eating it the big brother turns into a ravenous snake whose hunger cannot be satiated. Upon returning to the village he eats the whole winter’s worth of rations. Sadly, the village has to turn him away because there simply is not more food to feed him. As the enormous snake slithers his way from his village he consumes all plants and animals in his path. This void is recognized today as the Kissimmee River. The lesson is that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Fish don’t often ask to be eaten. What is weird is that the story has transpired in several tribes that throughout history and even today have been considered more enemies than friends.
Living is so hard, people go with out at certain time of the year there is a great sharing in which many give away most/ all of what they have and in return receive nearly as much as they have given away.
The musical shakers that were once made from turtle shells as the only man in the county who knew the skill has passed away. That element of their culture has ended.
