2
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
C H R IS T M A S
PASSES
The reason for Christinas is to celebrate
the birth of Jesus. This is celebrated by
most countries on December 25th. Many
people exchange gifts and decorate their
houses with holly, mistletoe and Christ
mas trees.
The custom of exchanging gifts began
in memory of the gifts that the shepherds
and the wise men brought to the Christ
Child. Some children believe that the
presents come from St. Nicholas, now
known as Santa Claus. He was a kindly
Bishop, famous for giving surprise gifts.
Music for Christmas began with the
musical prayers of the Christmas church.
“ 0 Come, All Ye Faithful” , is probably
the most popular Christmas Carol and is
sung in many parts of the world in many
languages.
China and Japan observe Christmas
customs that are familiar to those in the
United States. The Chinese call their
Santa Claus, “ Shing Tan Lao Ren” , which
means, ‘‘Holy birthday, old man” .
In Latin America, Christmas season
often lasts many days. In Mexico, each
family looks forward to the “ Posada” ,
where the families form a procession from
house to house, in memory of Mary and
Joseph in searching for rooms on the
first Christmas Eve.
European countries have various Christ
mas customs. In Czechoslovakia, a girl
tells her fortune by putting a cherry blos
som in water. If it blooms before Christ
mas Eve, it supposedly means that the
girl will marry sometime during the year.
However Christmas is celebrated people
are united in their feelings of joy on the
birthday of Christ.
Andrew Tall
Wilfred Hoelscher
THE
NEW YEAR
IS HERE
New Years Day is the first day of the
calendar year. It is celebrated as a holi
day in almost every country. Church
services are held with a party often held
afterwards. In the United States people
gather at midnight to see the old year out
and the new year in.
Resolutions, or promises to do good
things, are now a part of our New Years’
festivities.
Each person resolves or
promises that in the coming year he will
do a certain worthwhile think, like study
harder or be to class on time. Resolutions
are made by many people although it has
become somewhat of a joke since they are
so often broken.
How about you? Do you have a New
Years’ Resolution? No? Well, make one
then! Okay, now that the resolution is
made, the hard part comes—keeping it!!!
ACHIEVE
WRITING
THROUGH
SENSES
Mrs. T. D. Allen, creative writing in
structor for the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
visited English classes at Chemawa
during the week of December 1-5. Mrs.
Allen met with English teachers, offering
suggestions for creative writing and also
asking for their ideas. She taught several
classes to show her method and how it
worked. Mrs: Allen believes eyeryone has
the makings to be a writer because every
one has a nose, eyes, ears, a mouth, and
fingers. It is with these five senses that
we learn everything and record our own
experiences.
Mrs. Allen and her husband have written
several books, many of which are histori
cal fiction. Doctor in Buckskin is the
story of the early frontier days; 'Prisoners
of the Polar Ice has its setting in Alaska.
Navajos Have Five Fingers was written
after they spent time on a reservation in
the Southwest.
As a result of Mrs. Allen’s visit, some
of the Chemawa students have tried their
hand at creative writing. Some are con
vinced they will never be writers, while
others were surprised at what they com
posed.
Mrs. Allen has edited a book, Miracle
Hill, which consists of writings by one of
her Navajo students. Followiig are some
writings of Chemawa students.
Is it
possible some day these may appear in
book form? Could be!
I AM A CHRISTMAS TREE
I knew it was the time of the year when
people come to cut us for Christmas trees.
I heard so many stories of it. I can feel
the excitement stirring up in me. All the
other trees were standing as straight as
they could and spreading their boughs. I
tried to stand straight but my top kept
bending. The other trees laughed and
told me I'll never do. People started
coming and went right on past. Some
elderly people came.
The lady said,
“ It would make a beautiful tree, but its
top is bended” . I felt my heart sinking.
When I was almost ready to give up, a
little girl came up. Then she ran off
again. But in a little while she came
back with a lady and a gentleman. The
lady said, “ It will never do” . The man
agreed. The girl started to cry so the
man got me. I was so proud when the
man carried me to his truck. As I rode
in the truck I felt happy because I know
I’ll make a little girl happy. And now I’m
standing very proud and happy. People
come to admire me even though my top
still bends. My lights are shining and
beautiful and the Baby Jesus is under
my boughs. I am proud to be a Christmas
tree and happy knowing that I’ll make a
little girl happy.
Anonymous
ONE AND ONLY KID BROTHER
Achieve your goal, my young brother
for without it you are lost.
Speak soft, my young kid brother
for words come silently.
Cheat not, my fair brother
for you’ll find no truth.
White or black, my lost young brother
you’ll find both are one.
Today or tomorrow, my young brother
is only here once to use.
Be self-reliant, my dear young brother
for you’ll understand yourself.
Plan ahead always, my young brother
for time needs accurate use.
Enjoy all life, my fresh young brother
for too much there is in life.
You’re still a baby, my young brother
A BLIND PERSON’S WORDS
Make pictures in my mind, strange
illusions
appear in many different structures.
Coming in all black scenes, what are
colors?
Dreams help me understand a little.
Life to me is but a wonder, time is long.
Questions come at me, unanswered.
Feeling the shape of forms, delicate touch
hard and rough in texture.
What is ahead of me? A hope for
science to
make vision possible for darkness?
Gold and silver is of no value to my life
Only a moment to really see.
Sometimes I’m glad that I cannot see the
bad things in life that humans create.
At other times, vision is all I ever want
even if its for a few moments.
Blind to the world, but my talents
I’ll show
that don’t need eyes to perform.
The color white I’ll always carry in my
hand
and the color black in pictures.
Stephen Itta
WIND
Love to hear the wind sing.
Can’t see the wind blow.
Wind blowing. Wind blowing.
All day. All night
Love to see the wind blow.
The tree’s down —
hoping it will happen
some day, some night.
C.L.