The Final Good-bye - One of Two

Continuing from yesterday's post, Maja, Solo and I had moved from the bleachers to a row of chairs on the gymnasium main floor. The "schedule", as printed in the memorial handouts available for anyone to take, said the Funeral Service was scheduled for 10:00 am on Saturday, then gave a list of people who would be involved (a very LONG list of Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers). It ended with the notice that the Burial Service would be at the White Cow Killer Family Cemetery on Red Cloud land. 

Barry actually got things going relatively on time, with honoring songs and various sacred songs being played by the drum, interspersed with talks, prayers, and the actual visitation. The pallbearers were all gathered in a far corner to receive pins which were placed on the upper left arms of their jackets. They also got their final instructions about how to line up and who would be responsible for what. 

Friday night had featured a roll call of Veterans, honoring the veterans who were at the memorial, as well as my brother's service in the late 1950's, early 1960's. Today, instead of Veterans, there was a call-out of American Indian Movement members to honor their service to the people as well as my brother's long-time work for the cause. Solo was a bit miffed that he hadn't gotten his name down on the Veterans list, but he was proud to be called to join the line of AIM warriors, both male and female. 

Scotty Brown Eyes and a spiritual leader whose name I don't know entered the tipi to say final prayers over my brother. They painted his face in his chosen design featuring stripes down the left side of his face, dots down the right side. Eagle feather fans wafted sage and prayers over his body. Things were rearranged in the tipi for the final viewing.  

The pallbearers were requested to come to the front, where they stood as an honor guard while the final visitation was announced and a long line formed which snaked around the gymnasium. It was time for each of us to say our final goodbyes. After exiting the tipi from my own personal short good-bye, I moved down the row of Veterans, shaking the hand of each warrior, then continued on to the entire front row - the family members. Each hand was shaken, many hugs were given and many tears were shed. 

Throughout the several hours that the final visits and preparations took, the Pallbearers stood at the front, one warrior dancing without stopping. The audience also stood, dancing if possible. Maja and I stayed together and danced for the entire three hours or so it took for everyone to have their final viewing and we weren't the only ones who danced for the full time. 

The drum group never stopped singing their songs, one song melding into the next, and the sound of the drum echoed throughout the gymnasium. It reminded me how much I really enjoy the Lakota songs I had heard for so many years. I might have to try to make a Spotify playlist of pow wow songs. The drum worked so hard, I'd be surprised if they had any voice at all on Sunday as they returned to their homes. 

Finally, the family members were called up in small groups to say their final goodbyes. After everyone had their final visit, select people re-entered the tipi and began preparing the body. All regalia and sacred items used by my brother and on display in the tipi were removed and packed into several small suitcases, or wrapped carefully. The body was then wrapped in a black quilt and covered with an Oglala Nation flag. It was moved from the platform in the tipi to a gurney, in preparation for the final walk from the tipi to the waiting hearse. This was different than Grandmother's funeral had been. She had been laid in a casket with a rosary in her hands. My brother walked a traditional road - no casket. In the old days he would have been placed on a scaffold to become one with the world once again. No scaffolds allowed these days, though. 

And here I go - running over once again. I guess I'll actually end up finishing this recitation tomorrow. Oh well. It's just a lot to discuss, and I want to get my impressions and feelings down because I feel it's important, and it's my personal memorial to my brother. It's respectful to my brother, and healing for me. I'll be back tomorrow with, what will probably be the final installment in my recitation of my return to Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Have a great Thursday.