Lunch with the Algonquin

The colors of life

Chapter 7 Lunch with the Algonquin

“I'm Charles Mohan. this is Susan Hauser,” he waited while they shook hands. “ Bob Mulberry,” he said waving at Bob.

“I'm glad you agreed to meet with us,” Charles continued.

They say down at the table as the waitress brought the menus.

“I've been studying the Algonguin language for sometime,” Nahmakanta began. “ As I mentioned on the phone, the Nanticoke Indian population in the country is just about a 1,000 people and everyday, they continue to be assimilated into the mainstream society. I'm not sure how much I can help you with, but I'm prepared to give it a go.”

They selected their orders and the waitress took it down.

Charles began tentatively, “Our field site is about 15 miles north east of Bethel. It is a Nanticoke burial site. That's confirmed by the Delaware department of state.”

“Its a lovely location,” quipped Susan in a breezy voice,” beautiful scenery. Its wonderful to be working on the project.”

It was a powerful ice breaker and Charles felt himself relax instantly.

“Its Delaware,” replied Nahmakanta,” its the Nanticoke heaven.”

“We have unearthed one adult male and have been recording our observations. We are attempting to confirm our hypothesis, that the Nanticoke have a tradition that is highly oriented to the development of human personality and identity. We are comparing that with the Cheyenne, that is traditionally viewed with that reputation.”

Nahmakanta smiled pleasantly and said, “ The Cheyenne have always been associated with good looks, but the understanding of human qualities must go further than that.” He seemed very satisfied with that response.

Bob took out some papers from his case.

“We have prepared a questionnaire to create some measures of the personality traits of the present generation of the Nanticoke and we hoped you could help us with it.”

He passed the documents to Nahmakanta. He flipped through the pages as the waitress served their orders.

Charles figured he'll move into the issues with both feet.

“We've been creating references to the journals of James Eliot who made some very lucid comments about the early relations of the immigrants with the Algonquin. In particular, he was referring to the sachem Passaconaway whom he described as a wise and astute gentleman. He described him as possessing a mind, capable of grasping and comprehending the truths of religion. ”

Nahmakanta nodded in a continuous fashion at the words spoken and seemed to be well informed of the issues.

“Can I speak freely?” he asked.

They indicated by their manner that he would be free to do so.

“Okay, I need to ask you a personal question,” he said looking at Charles. “Do you have native American ancestry?”

“I'm not sure of that,” Charles replied, “ but my father is Tamil from South India and my mother is Irish America.”

“East Indian,” said Nahmakanta,” I'm sorry, I was starting to feel that as a person with mixed native American parentage, you were being a little distant from your own cultural identity.”

“That must happen a lot with people these days,” Bob suggested.

“Its the usual expectation of what pays better,” he suggested. “ A matter of what works and what doesn't. But what we are also facing in our societies is a recovery of our early ancestral experiences that we need to rationalize with the modern world.”

“ Is this something that you have personally encountered in your own experiences?” Susan inquired.

“Its a matter of understanding the different imagery of the experiences and to find a way to validate such experiences as being bona fide development in what we are. I would consult my elders in the community about some of our experiences and be guided by that. A Christian would see their church leaders about something similar.”

He continued with his apparent chain of thoughts, “I would like to think that my experiences are leading me to something quite profound and extraordinary, but there's fear that our modern society is finding a way to lump everything in terms of survival and the consumer habit.”

“That's a way to reduce everything to a common view, but it may not always be right,” Bob offered.

“Its quite considerable in terms of size and scope of experience,” Nahmakanta replied. “I don't know whether there's anybody out there who understands the workings of the world spirit in this age. Its not only a matter of religion but also common sense.”

“The world certainly has an interest to balance common identities with individual qualities. It would be a matter of harmonious development,” Charles proposed.

“I hear you,” he nodded. “ It may be a matter of old wine in new bottles, but the experience is still quite staggering in scope.”

“Do you share these with your wife?” Susan asked.

Nahmakanta took a moment to consider and Charles thought he caught a glimpse into the man's powerful sense of contrivance of issues, kept orderly by social mannerisms.

“We have been separated for about 5 years,” he said, without any bitterness. “ It takes a great deal to be able to live with someone these days.”

“The demographics indicate that 40% of the household in Bethel are separated in some way,” Bob pointed out.

Nahmakanta seemed surprised. “ I had thought that it might be more.”

“That's data from the 2000 survey,” Charles clarified.

“It could be higher now,” he said with some conviction of belief.

They finished lunch and Charles suggested that they continue at the bar.

Susan informed that she had to get a bunch of things for the camp and will join them later.

Reviews

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Very interesting, you've still got me reading.