The Council Ring Archive
Every Saturday evening, this traditional campfire meeting
marks the conclusion of "team day". Owatonna campers conclude a
day dedicated to team building and competition. Council Fire is held in
the Owatonna Council Ring. Prior to 2020 special joint Council Fires with
Camp Newfound have been held at the Owatonna beach during Parents' Weekend.
Note: In 2022, the Council Fire was
revised and updated, which included the introduction of The Great Eagle, Grey
Wolf, and Black Bear to administrate the ceremony. This web page refers to the former Council Fire
ceremony and characters that existed prior to 2022. This is for historical reference purposes
only.
Choose from the following: |
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A listing of the activities and participants involved in a
typical weekly council fire. |
|
A summary of the key participants and occasional special
guests who run the ceremonies. |
|
The most sacred council fire of the year where the
prestigious white and black feathers are awarded to those deserving campers. |
|
The qualities of a white and black feather winner. |
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The Council Fire Song |
Summary: The council fire begins with White Bear calling the respective teams to enter the council fire. The teams enter in the order of how they placed from the prior year's team competition. The tribe of Paugus (i.e., Owatonna Staff) are already present. White Bear explains the rules of the Council Fire, and then calls upon two Paugus members to lead in games. Following the games, additional Paugus members lead the group in singing.
White Bear |
The "Master of Ceremonies" who invites campers,
staff, and friends to enter the Council Ring. |
White Eagle |
The half-brother of White Bear. White Eagle serves
as the interpreter of the Grand Shaman and travels with the Grand Shaman's
entourage. |
Grand Shaman |
The Great Chief. The Grand Shaman speaks only through
sign language that is repeated in spoken words by White Eagle. It is
generally accepted that the Grand Shaman lost his voice in a hunting
accident. The Grand Shaman presents the word of the week, calls upon
the Great Spirit to light the council fire, observes team presentations,
listens to nature reports, listens to reports on the word of the week, and
presents special awards on occassion. |
The Four Winds |
The swift and howling messengers of the Grand Shaman who
present the qualities of the white and black feather. At the Feather
Fire ceremony, they assist with the presentation of the feathers. |
Flaming Zephyr |
An occasional guest who enters the ceremony for the sole
purpose of lighting the council fire. In what is usually a spectacular
moment, the Zephyr runs in carrying a torch, breathes fire, and awaits the
lighting of the fire. The Zephyr may light the fire manually in certain
situations. |
Torch Bearer |
A member of the Grand Shaman's entourage helping to light
the path at night. |
White Wolf |
A one time
visitor (circa 1989) who called upon the Braves of Owatonna to shape up. |
Feather Fire: The sixth council fire is when the prestigious white and black feathers are awarded. The fire includes the presence of the Four Winds. Upon the Grand Shaman's exit, no talking is allowed until the following morning.
White Feather |
1. A white feather winner contributes effectively to
his team. He is a conscientious worker and strives to reach all team
goals. |
Black Feather |
1. A black feather winner has outstanding athletic
ability. |
The Council Fire Song By the blazing council fire's
light, we have met in comradeship tonight Taps Day is Done |
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