Free Thunder on the Plains by Gary Robinson Page A

and honor the deeds of one young man. He is a member of this nation and has brought honor to us. He will receive his Indian name, as is the way of our people.”
    Standing in front of Red Elk’s tipi, we went through all the steps the old man had described the night before. The crowd waited quietly. Then, when the ceremony was completed, the medicine man spoke to the crowd.
    â€œDaniel Nathan Wind came to us at the beginning of the summer as a confused boy. He didn’t know himself or his people. Today I present to you a young man who has proven himself worthy of being called a Cheyenne and all that it means. I have given him a very old name, one that has not been used among our people for generations. From this day forth he shall be known as Buffalo Bringer.”
    The crowd applauded loud and long. Shouts of “Aho” could be heard. Grandpa had told me this means they approve of what’s happening.
    The medicine man took me to the center of the circle and told me to say something. I looked around at the large crowd. I’d never been the center of attention like this. I spotted Charlene and my friends again.
    â€œI can’t stand here alone and take all the credit for bringing the buffalo back. The truth is, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without a whole circle of family and friends doing their part, too. So I want my family and my friends to come up here with me.”
    They all gathered around me. Charlene moved up next to me and clasped my hand. She had a big silly grin on her face. I blushed again. Then I took a deep breath and let it out.
    â€œI also realized that being Cheyenne means that I am connected to the earth,” I continued. “I’m connected to my animal brothers and to all of you. None of us is ever alone. I say thank you to all my relations.” The audience applauded again.
    â€œHoka!” Thomas Red Elk shouted. “Now let’s eat!”
    The old man led the way toward the community center. There a feast of Native American foods had been prepared and laid out. I stood with Charlene as the rest of my family headed for the food.
    â€œI’ll catch up to you in a minute,” I told Mom. I took a deep breath and let it out.
    â€œCharlene, you’re a nice girl. And you’re pretty and all.” What was I going to say next?
    â€œBut I have to go back to L.A. soon. I’m not ready for a girlfriend or anything yet.”
    She frowned and turned away. “I thought you liked me,” she said.
    â€œI do. Believe me, I do. But can we just be friends for now? I promise I’ll write and tell you what I’m doing. And you can write and tell me what’s going on here on the rez.”
    She thought about it for a minute, and then turned back to me.
    â€œOkay,” she said with a smile. Everything was suddenly all right.
    â€œBut just you wait two or three years, Daniel Nathan Wind—I mean, Buffalo Bringer,” shesaid with a gleam in her eye. “Then we’ll see who wants to just be friends.”
    She laughed and we went to eat. I let out a big sigh of relief. Talking to a girl was much harder than driving a herd of buffalo across the plains.
    The powwow began in the middle of the afternoon. Grandma had made a Straight Dance outfit for me to wear. Grandpa, Robert, and I went into the men’s restroom and changed into our outfits. Amanda, Mom, and Grandma dressed in the ladies’ room.
    As Grandpa, Uncle, and I left the dressing room, Robert stopped me to straighten part of my outfit.
    â€œYou look just right,” Robert said. He put his hand on my shoulder. “I know your father is watching you today from the spirit world. He’s proud of you. You’ve come a long way, nephew, but don’t stop now. Keep growing the way you’re growing. You’ll be a fine man one day, a Cheyenne man.” He patted me on the back. Then we walked toward the sound of the drum.
    When everyone