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those buffalo alone.”
    â€œFrankly, I wasn’t sure we could really do it,” Grandpa confessed. “But I didn’t want to spoil it for the kids.”
    Just then a loud laugh rang out from inside the house. They looked inside to see the tribal chairman standing in the midst of a circle of people. He was spinning a tall tale.
    Robert shook his head. “Politicians. You can’t do anything with ’em, and you can’t doanything without ’em. Funny how the tribal chairman turned this into a political victory for himself,” he said.
    The three generations of men laughed and went back inside for dessert.

Chapter 12
Worthy of Being Cheyenne
    It was decided that a naming ceremony would be held for me in honor of my daring act. Labor Day weekend was chosen for the event. At this ceremony, a medicine man chosen by Grandpa would give me an Indian name. Several traditional families of the tribe came together to sponsor the event.
    When the time came, a circle of tipis was put up in the field next to the tribal community center. People from all over the reservation gathered there.
    My mother and stepfather came to Buffalo Gap too. They were both very proud of me. I was excited and a little nervous about the whole thing.
    The night before the ceremony, my extended family and I gathered in the centerof the circle of tipis. Robert led us into the largest tipi.
    An elderly Indian man with a wrinkled face was waiting for us inside. He was seated on a blanket in the back of the tipi. In front of him was a smaller blanket with several objects spread out on it. We all sat down in front of him. Robert introduced the man to us.
    â€œThis is Thomas Red Elk. He’s the most respected holy man of our tribe. We are asking him to perform this ceremony for our family.
    Red Elk nodded his head. Then Robert brought me to the front of the group.
    â€œThis is Danny,” Robert said. “We are here to ask you to give him his Indian name.” Robert pulled a pouch of tobacco out of his pocket and handed it to Red Elk. This is the traditional way of asking a medicine man to do anything.
    â€œThis is an honor for me,” the old man said. “I am happy to do this for your family. It is good to carry on our traditions in this way. Your ancestors will be pleased.” He put thetobacco down in front of him next to a beaded feather fan.
    â€œTomorrow at noon we will come together here in the circle of lodges,” Red Elk said. “I’ll ask the Creator to bless this boy for what he did for the good of his people. Then I’ll ask for a blessing on our tribe.”
    He picked up a long leather pouch with fringes and beads and cradled it in the crook of his arm.
    â€œThen we will come back here to smoke this sacred pipe. Each of you can speak what’s in your mind and heart for the Creator to hear.”
    He put the pipe back down and picked up a small pouch. He untied the leather string, opened the pouch, and removed a pinch of its contents.
    â€œThen I’m gonna smoke Danny with this cedar and this sage and give him his Indian name. After that comes my favorite part of the ritual—the food!”
    He smiled a big grin. A few of his teeth were missing. “We’ll have a thanksgivingmeal and feed all these people who have come to witness this blessing.”
    The holy man stood up and walked over to me.
    â€œThen we’ll go over to the powwow grounds. The drum will start and we’ll dance until midnight. How does this sound to you, Danny? Okay?”
    â€œYes, okay, I guess,” I said. I was worried I wouldn’t know what I was supposed to do or when.
    â€œDon’t worry. I’ll tell you what to do, where to stand, and what to say. Everything will be fine. Just leave it to me.”
    I relaxed. Red Elk walked back to his blanket and sat down.
    â€œNow leave me. I must prepare for tomorrow’s activities. Go home and get a good night’s