When the Elders first told me that they wanted to bestow this recognition through a Traditional Headdress Ceremony at the John Denver's Choices Conference, Aug. 15, 1992, I told my father and my Uncle Olliver Eagleman, from father's cousin that I did not what this honor because of the responsibilities and the the attacks I was sure I would have to endure, especially being light completed.
They told me that it was being given by all the Elders present, and I could not refuse this honor. Grandfather Austin Two Moons offered to perform the Ceremony in the Cheyenne Tradition. Still, my father and Uncle Oliver told me, from their understanding, that for the Oceti Sakowin, this Sacred Ceremony was conducted by women. Therefore, Grandmother Betty Healy, of the Buffalo Woman's Society, performed the Ceremony.
Therefore, I am sharing this at 81 winters, as my journey to the Other Side Camp could occur at any time, with my family's support, I want to pass my Headdress to my son Mato Gi, named after my father, who gave his Grandson his name just before my father passed to the Other Side Camp.
The name Mato Gi was given to my father by his Grandfather Tipi Sapa, Philip Deloria, after his cousin Mato Gi who slayed the Albino White Bull Buffalo, who gave himself, to give the White Swan Dakota's the spiritual gifts, and vision to make it through the great spiritual testing and preparation, of the Great Spiritual Wintertime that was to soon come upon us, until the Great Springtime that is now arising everywhere, all at once, everywhere on our Mother Earth.
This has been a tough journey, with many missteps and times when I wanted to quit. However, I can now see the end in the beginning and realize it is time to redouble my efforts, guided by humility within the Sacred Will and Grace of Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery.