Wahissa Lodge

By Adam B. Moore- Vice Chief of Administration

We are Number 1……18!

The 2013 SR7B Cardinal Conclave is in the books! This Conclave was the largest in OA history having over 1700 delegates. That is the  second largest gathering of Arrowmen in the United States for the year (just behind the National Jamboree this summer), and Wahissa Lodge was apart of it! Wahissa Lodge won many Indian Affairs award in ceremonies, dancing, and drumming.

Also, Wahissa Lodge was represented on the Section level with our very own Kenneth Erickson elected as SR7B Section Chief! We know that he will do a wonderful job and represent Wahissa well.

The 2014 SR7B Cardinal Conclave will be held at Camp Bowers of Cape Fear Council. We are sure that our Section leaders and Klahican Lodge #331 will hold a spectacular event next year. Keep look out for registration information in the fall!

Wahissa Lodge #118 would like to thank Occoneechee Lodge #104 for hosting a memorable Conclave.

Delegates of Wahissa Lodge of the Old Hickory Council, Boy Scouts of America win the national southern drum and singing competition at the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at Michigan State University on Thursday, August 2. Southern-style singing is a low-key, constant drumbeat which provides music for dancers to move in cultural celebration of Native American heritage. Additionally, Will Garwood was crowned national champion of the Old-Time Sioux dance style.

“Through all the time and effort put in through the years, this win is the crowning achievement to all of the hard work I have put in,” said Garwood.

Will Garwood shaking hands with National Chief John Rehm, and National Vice-Chief Preston Marquis.

Many of the drummers and singers are members of the Raven Knob staff and participate in local Powwows and Wednesday night campfires during the summer. Members from the local drum team include Hunter Day of Wilkesboro, Jeffery Swart of Winston-Salem, Kevin Argabright of Winston-Salem, Andrew Tucker of Winston-Salem, DJ Riggs of Winston-Salem, Dalton Lankford of King, and Harrison Dearmin of Walnut Cove.

“Although the brothers of Wahissa are very proud of their victory, they are staying modest,” said Hunter Day. “Everybody is a winner.”

Front row (left to right):Dalton Lankford, Hunter Day, Andrew Tucker
Middle row (left to right):Jordan Mitchell, Harrison Dearmin
Back row (left to right):Kevin Argabright, Jeffrey Swart, DJ Riggs.

Every three years, youth and adult members of the Order of the Arrow gather on the campus of a major university for NOAC. This conference is Scouting’s second-largest national program event. NOAC draws nearly 7,000 youths and adults from all across the United States and as far away as Europe and Asia.

Wahissa Lodge brought thirty-eight delegates to NOAC for a week-long of activities, including training, ceremonies performance and evaluation, Native American events, shows and Founders’ Day. The delegation also assembled for four major shows in the Michigan State Breslin Student Events Center: an opening show; a history/recognition show; a theme show; and a 100-hundredth celebration of the Eagle Scout Award show.

Go to the Wahissa Photo Page to check out all of the older photos that were just added due to the photo courtesy of Derek Hudgins, a former Lodge Vice Chief of Publications and from Robert Mason, former Lodge Chief and Sections Chief (among many many other titles)