My chance to dance

As I walk up the hill from Pickstown I'm thinking of all the synonyms I can possibly come up with for humid: sticky, balmy, sweltering...no wait that doesn't necessarily imply moisture, Oh, well. It's sweltering!

I get to the top of the hill and find that there is a casino and gas station so I connect the dots that I must have entered the Yankton Reservation.

So, after getting Bud hydrated and consuming a couple ice-cream bars, I decide the best course of action is to wait for a little while, at least until the sun is a bit less intense. While waiting a van pulls up and an Indian guy (Native American) pokes his head out the window to say hi. He introduces himself as DZ Iron Wing (Hupa-Hu Maza) and inquires about our destination. When he learns that we're crossing the country, he asks, 'What caused ya to do that.'

Now I generally tell folks something like, 'I'm out here searching for that beautiful sliver of humanity that's rarely given an opportunity to shine.' Or, 'I'm looking for that seed of goodness inherent in the hearts of all men.' And it usually seems eloquent in my head, but to others it probably comes across as either esoteric nonsense, or hackneyed attempts at witticisms. Regardless, on this occasion, I just responded by saying, 'I'm trying to sort some stuff out in my head.'

He says, 'Well, we've got our Sun Dance beginning tomorrow, and it would be a good place to come and get some of that stuff worked out. No one's gonna bother you, and you can stay for a day or two, or all four. It's up to you.'

I thank him for his offer, but ask for a little time to consider my response. 'Sure,' he says. 'I'll be back in a little while, and you can tell me what you decide.' Well, I'd heard that the Sun Dance is one of the most sacred ceremonies amongst the tribes of The Seven Council Fires, and I figure that I probably won't find a better chance to learn about the culture of the Ihanktonwan Oyate. So, when Hupa-Hu Maza gets back, I gladly accept the invitation.

That night, he takes me back to his home on the reservation and treats me most hospitably. We stay up late, drinking coffee and discussing a wide range of topics. Around 00:30 I say goodnight and head out to the tent, excited about the ceremony in the morning. As I begin to drift off, lighting suddenly starts flashing, and soon, the wind and hail come with it.