Muhheakannuck Nations at Nu Schodack
The Making of a Sagamore
This is about the training and preparation of a Sagamore.
[See "Never Called by His Given Name."]It takes approximately 40 years of mentoring and experience for a person to begin to adequately function as a M'hican leader. Sagamores serves for life. Their primary function is to make sure the people are fed, sheltered and clothed. They do not decide policy except in emergencies but are respected for their wisdom in many areas.A Sagamore is trained in being aware, compassion, diplomacy, martial arts, medicine, interpersonal skills, law, leadership, logistics, psychology, managerial skills, etc.
A child's training in a craft begins around age 6-7. This is also true with leadership training.However, the time at the end of World War II was one of great change and our leaders were aware of the tremendous peril indigenous faced. Therefore, the training of Michael J. D'Amico began at birth. He was one of about a half dozen being so trained. Cousin Billy, William Morris Lewis, son of William Kelley Lewis, the Peace Sagamore, was the leading candidate to succeed his father.Unfortunately, Billy and cousin Morris were killed at a grade crossing returning to active duty at Floyd Bennett Field Thanksgiving weekend in 1955. In 1967, Uncle Bill was heart attacked in February, Aunt Muddie, clan mother walked on in March, Uncle Truc, oldest sibling and clan leader in July, and Barney, aka Bernard Aloysius Livingstone Lewis, Owaya Sagamore, was heart attacked August, 1967. By the end of the Nam conflict, there was only one replacement still being trained. Fortunately, circumstances kept him out of the military and alive.
A child's training in a craft begins around age 6-7. This is also true with leadership training.However, the time at the end of World War II was one of great change and our leaders were aware of the tremendous peril indigenous faced. Therefore, the training of Michael J. D'Amico began at birth. He was one of about a half dozen being so trained. Cousin Billy, William Morris Lewis, son of William Kelley Lewis, the Peace Sagamore, was the leading candidate to succeed his father.Unfortunately, Billy and cousin Morris were killed at a grade crossing returning to active duty at Floyd Bennett Field Thanksgiving weekend in 1955. In 1967, Uncle Bill was heart attacked in February, Aunt Muddie, clan mother walked on in March, Uncle Truc, oldest sibling and clan leader in July, and Barney, aka Bernard Aloysius Livingstone Lewis, Owaya Sagamore, was heart attacked August, 1967. By the end of the Nam conflict, there was only one replacement still being trained. Fortunately, circumstances kept him out of the military and alive.
Wicawau Sagamore is the leader of all the M'heakannuck who recognize themselves as M'heakannuck.
Barney Lewis - Owaya Sagamore
"Barney"
Bernard Aloysius Livingstone LewisMay 13, 1905 - August 10, 1967Owaya Sagamore