Gazing Eagle and Crow

It happened about 13 years ago, in California. I was writing about a small group of Native Americans living in the Santa Lucia Mountains outside of Monterey, whose ancestors dwindled considerably during the time of the Spanish occupation due to disease, and who were regarded as insignificant by local government, even into the 21st century, when it came to their land being grabbed.

They are called the Esselen and they were pleased that I was writing about their plight. And so one day they said they wished to honor me with a Native American name.

Up in the mountains, within a dug-out cave area, they burned sage while a man beat on a drum, and an elder smudged my forehead. The elder then told a creation story, and I emerged with the honor of being named “Crow.”

“You are the one who tells the people,” was how the choice was explained to me.

I already had experience, before my two-year stay in California, with native people having difficulty with official recognition by the U.S. government. This is due to the long struggle waged by the Houma people and other native groups in Terrebonne and Lafourche. It is a problem the Esselen share.

Well it turns out the Esselen aren’t the only native people with a naming custom, and on the day after Thanksgiving one native group here bestowed a name on an elected official, and let me tell you he is just as honored and proud as anybody might be for having this happen.

Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet now bears the name of Gazing Eagle, bestowed by the Isle de Jean Charles Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha Choctaw. It was done outside the Catholic Church in Pointe-aux-Chenes the day after Thanksgiving, and other people were there to be named as well.

Chief Albert Naquin said it is the first time a public official has been so recognized.

The ceremony was held after a special Mass for Native Americans.

Sherry Naquin played on a drum, and it sounded like a heart was beating. Tommy Dardar played the flute.

Albert, the chief, who is called White Buffalo, told a story of the native people, about how the eagle rules the east and helps lead us in the right direction. The wolf, which rules the South, keeps us away from danger because he has a good nose to smell with. The black bear from the West gives us strength and the buffalo, from the North, gives us food.

There was a peace pipe, which was not smoked because not everyone smokes anything and you don’t want them to feel bad. But the tobacco still burns in the bowl.

And so it came to pass that Michel Claudet can add to his credentials of public servant, banker, attorney and businessman, the name of Gazing Eagle.

He shared the experience with a few reporters during a break at the Parish Council meeting and he indeed looked so proud and happy that this had been done. As one who has been named myself I could tell, because I have felt the same thing. And it shows if you are just giving lip service.

“Mr. Claudet can’t fly like an eagle, but sometimes he gets in a helicopter,” the chief said. “He does go out and he does gaze, he looks around to see what is going on and what needs to be done. So yes, he is Gazing Eagle.”

I have witnessed Claudet doing these things myself, so figure the chief can’t be too much off the mark.

And now I am telling you all about it, once the facts have been ascertained.

Because, after all, I am the Crow. And it is my job to tell the people.