CONSTITUTION

I. We be known as the Waupun Wigwam.

II.  For to be sound of body, true of heart, unselfish, and Christian we be joined together.

III.  They that have seen ten to fourteen summers may join our Wigwam one by one if we want them.  High names have we.  These names we use in our Wigwam.

IV.  At our meetings around the Campfire each Brave is Chief in turn and chooseth one to guard the entrance.  Medicine Man serveth us continually.  He knoweth his Braves.  He chooseth Right Hand to serve him.  When days are longest and when days are shortest we choose one to write what we do in Wigwam, one to collect small wampum and one to keep the same.

V. They that be older than we, they that be our friends may visit us in our Wigwam.  Woman by us is honored.  Chivalry by us is shown.  Whatever is weak is by us protected.

VI.  Measured are we when we join the Wigwam and once a year thereafter—­our height, calf of leg, hip, chest, and arm.  This by Medicine Man who keepeth the writings and adviseth how to improve.  He praiseth what good we do, and alloweth not “what harmeth body, defileth tongue, or doeth ill to mind.”

VII.  Small wampum pay we all alike according to the need of the Wigwam and the Campfire.

VIII.  Deeds of valor do we read in Wigwam and Indian tales of old.  Each telleth of brave deeds he knows.  A motto have we.  This Medicine Man giveth every three moons.  We have our war whoop and our battle song.  We loyally help Medicine Man in his work and when he speaketh in the Great Tent.

IX.  When admitted to the Wigwam we very solemnly vow to be obedient to all its laws and to try to please our Great High Chief in Heaven who ruleth every tribe, World without end.  Amen.

RITUAL

THE WIGWAM WAY

The Braves being seated in a semicircle, the Chief, clad in blanket and attended by Right Hand, enters.  All arise.  Chief takes position.  Waits until there is perfect silence.

Chief:  My trusted and loyal Braves!

All:  Hail to our Chief!

C:  I am about to sit with you around our friendly Campfire.  Brave ——­ ——­ will guard the entrance that none come into the Wigwam at this time.  Let such as be of our Wigwam advance and prove themselves.

Each Brave comes forward in turn, whispers the motto in the Chief’s ear and says, May I, ——­ ——­, be known as a loyal Brave of the Waupun Wigwam?

C:  As such be thou known.

All:  So may it be! (When this is done the Chief continues.)

C:  For what are we bound together?

All:  For to be sound of body, true of heart, unselfish, and Christian we be bound together.

C:  What virtues are the greatest?