Article: When we met Paul, the Peacemaker of the Native American Odawa tribe The San Culture & Education Centre

When we met Paul, the Peacemaker of the Native American Odawa tribe

The trainee guides met with Paul Raphael from the Great Lake Region in North America at !Khwa ttu on  the 24^th of March 2010. Paul is from the Odawa tribe, one of the many Native American groups and belongs to the Raven clan. He works as a Peacemaker, helping the people of his tribe who have social problems. He told us that one of the biggest problems among the youth is the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

Paul explained to us that he belongs to the Eagle clan. At special ceremonies his clan members wear traditional clothes. The clothes are made from feathers of the eagle and deer leather. Songs are very important for Paul’s tribe. He said: “We have a song for everything, for example for all the ceremonies which greet the seasons.” Traditional houses are also especially built for the ceremonies. The houses are constructed with wood and they are called longhouses. After each ceremony the Odawa people break their longhouse down again because the next ceremony will be held by a different community.

Traditionally the women of the Odawa tribe have the strong voice in the community and the men must listen to the women. The men will not do something without asking the women and whenever the women said “no war” then there is no war.

We were very surprised to hear that until 1978, the Native Americans were not allowed to have land, speak their languages and practice their culture. Like the San people they also fought for their rights.

We felt privileged to hear all the new things Paul told us.

Juliana Seekoei, trainee guide and ‡Khomani woman from the southern Kalahari, South Africa