The Big Forest Nation The M. E. Lyons YMCA September 1998 - Smoke Signal   Welcome all tribe members of the Big Forest Nation to another program year! I am writing you once again on behalf of our new mighty leader Chief Brave Wolf, other members of the High Council and myself to let you know to start up the council fires once again. As you will remember last year was a wonderful success under the wings of former Chief Soaring Eagle (now a Sachem, or wise elder) and went out with a memorable finish (see the May/June 1998 Smoke Signal for details of the Camp-out). Let us now write another page this year in the great tradition of The Big Forest Nation! In order to get all existing and new members enrolled in the Y-Guide and Princess programs for this new program year the first page to write would be the registration form. Everyone should have by now received, filled out, and returned their registration form. If this is not the case please let us know ASAP so we can try to make sure you get assigned to a tribe since by the time you read this most tribes will probably be formed. Now for the good part. As our tradition dictates the opening Nation event is the Camp-in at the M.E. Lyons YMCA on Saturday October 17. In order to prepare for this event as well as to acquaint or reacquaint one another the tribal chief might want to plan a meeting, especially if this is a new tribe. Get your headbands, vests, torch, or other tribal property you want together and make sure everyone knows where to meet that day. If you are meeting for the first time as a new tribe let someone in the High Council or myself know and we'll try to have someone, a Machenawa, help with the first meeting. Look for the registration and more details coming in the mail on the games, movies, and other activities scheduled and how to prepare for the Camp-in. Come join all the brother and sister tribes of The Big Forest Nation for this fun event! Speaking of events if you have suggestions or comments at any time on Nation events, initiatives like the Bear Claw and Feather program or the www.bigforest.org website, tribe meetings or anything else that might make the Y-Guide and Y-Princess programs a success we'd like to hear from you especially as we make plans for the new year. We are always looking for fresh ideas and if you also have time to assist the High Council in a minor or major way with planning, preparation, ideas on new events, etceteras, that would be appreciated as well. Just have your chief bring ideas up at a longhouse meeting or call a member of the High Council. This program is driven by volunteers and the more we have the easier it is to run and the better it can become. In closing I'd like to say congratulations to all the daughters, sons and fathers who have chosen to make time together to be "Pals Forever" and "Friends Always" once again. I look forward to seeing you all at the Camp-in and throughout the year. May the Great Spirit be with you till we meet again!   Jim Farmer Nation Talleykeeper