In The Beginning

"The Indian father raises his son. He teaches his son to hunt, to track, to fish, to walk softly and silently in the forest, to know the meaning and purpose of life and all that he must know, while the white man allows the mother to raise his son." These chance remarks made in the early 1920s by a Canadian Ojibway Indian hunting guide Joe Friday to Harold Keltner, a St. Louis YMCA director, struck a responsive chord.

In St. Louis, about the year 1921, Lansing F. Smith of Ridgewood, NJ. and Frank Cheley of Denver, CO. compiled the "Father and Son Library." These books stimulated wide interest in the father/son relationship and made clear the need for a program that would bring dads and their boys into greater companionship. Mr. Keltner was greatly influenced by this and the work of outdoor-enthusiast Ernest Thompson. While in Buffalo, Mr. Keltner had tried many different programs including father/son banquets, but none had seemed to be successful or long-lasting.

Then in 1926, while establishing YMCA Camp Lakewood on former trout ponds in the Ozark Hills, Mr. Keltner asked his old friend, Joe Friday, "to teach the boys how to paddle a canoe . . . set traps . . . and learn much of the Indian lore of the forest." Joe Friday accepted and on one occasion, after speaking to a father/son banquet, was surrounded by so many fathers with hunting/fishing questions, that the young boys were unable to gain access to Joe. This gave Keltner an idea. Perhaps this strong mutual interest in the Indian could be put at the heart of a program aimed at closing the gap that he had seen widening between American fathers and their sons.

And so, the Indian Guide Program was born. Keltner designed a father-son program based on the qualities of American Indian culture and life: Dignity, Patience, Endurance, Spirituality, Feeling for the earth, and Concern for the family.

In 1926, Keltner organized the first tribe of Y-Indian Guides in Richmond Heights, MO., with the help of Friday and William Hefelfinger, chief of that first tribe. Although it grew slowly at first, the program was eventually recognized as a national YMCA program in 1935.

The rise of the family YMCA following World War II

The popularity of Y-Indian Guides grew rapidly in the post-World War II period of 1942 to 1962, guided by John Ledie, national advisor. Many new programs and organizational developments at the local and national levels also evolved during this time.

News and appeal of the program quickly spread. In 1935, it was recognized as a national program by the National Council of YMCAs (YMCA of the USA). The program held its first national convention in 1938, and held consecutive annual national conventions thereafter thru 1995 (except for 1989-90,1992,1994). By the early 1980's, the program was estimated to have as many as 3/4 of a million members.

Joe Friday served as the Honorary Chief of the national program until his death from bone cancer on February 10, 1952 . Harold Keltner remained a key influence on the program until his death on August 4, 1986. The first documented National Chief was Walter L. Purcell of Decatur, GA. who was elected in 1961. (It's unclear if any chiefs were elected during the interim.) There have been 36 additional national chiefs since then.

The post World War II era not only gave rise to further interest in the father/son relationship, but spawned a desire for a complete parent/child relationship as well.

The genuine need for supporting little girls in their personal growth, and the demonstrated success of the father-son program in turn nurtured the development of parent-daughter groups. In 1951, the mother-daughter program, now called Indian Maidens, was established in South Bend, Indiana by Youth Director William C. Carmicheal and three mothers: Mrs. Cecil Foster, Mrs. Harlow Kelly, and Mrs. Gordon Mitchell.

Three years later in 1954, the Y-Indian Princess Program (father/daughter) was created in Fresno, California by volunteer B. Dean Woods and Fresno YMCA Director George Dyer.

Y-Indian Braves, a program for mothers and sons, emerged during the late 1970s and was officially recognized by the National Executive Committee of the National Longhouse at Dearborn, MI, in 1980.

On May 24, 1972, the National Board of YMCAs and the Frank Phillips Foundation Inc. dedicated the National Y-Indian Guide Center at the WOOLARAC Museum near Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The "Indian Guide" portion of the museum eventually closed several years ago, due to lack of Y support.

Since 1963, the swift expansion of the program has continued with all these programs, and with a corresponding group of programs for older children. Currently, about 900 YMCAs sponsor 30,000 Y-Indian Guide groups.

In the program's 75-year existence, millions of participants have benefited and enjoyed the Indian Guide Programs including such notables as President Clinton and Disney's Michael Eisner.

About the Programs

Y-Indian programs are a tool for parents that want quality, planned, one-on-one time with their children. Membership is open to every parent with a child K-3rd grade, 3rd-6th grade for Trailblazers. (editors note: locally our Princess and Guide program runs through the fall(Oct/Nov) of 5th grade and Trailblazers runs into their late teens.)

Participation in activities by both parents and child is a vital part of Y-Indian Programs. They share in games, crafts, and campouts. The parent observes their child's relationship in the group, and see the child's strengths and needs, affording a basis for helping the child to grow. Likewise, the child observes the parent in action with other parents and kids. This provides the child with an important role model.

Organization

The tribe is the basic organizational unit for Y-Indian program members. Parent and child attendance together is recommended for participation in activities. Tribal meetings are usually held monthly in different members' homes. One parent is selected as chief, and the various tribal offices are delegated to the parents and kids.

The Longhouse is the inter-tribal council organization that supports the program planning of the tribes; that coordinates special events, and that establishes policies and standards.

What the Programs Do

Y-Indian Programs are action oriented. Members develop their own programs, elect their own officers, take turns hosting tribe meetings, and conduct the business of the tribe.

Tribes hold campouts and family outings; visit historical sites and industrial plants; take hikes to parks, zoos, and farms; and plan picnics. Participants learn about American Indian people - their culture, their customs, crafts and games, and seek to bring new understanding and appreciation of the Indians' heritage and contributions to our nation.

Craft projects include making tribal property such as drums, headbands, and vests. Tribes conduct worship services and devotionals, have campfires, and hold induction ceremonies that emphasize the importance of the parent/child relationship.

But best of all, Y-Indian Programs are fun for both parent and child!