In many Native American traditions, the ritual of a give-away is experiencing a resurgence. It is being practiced more and more as Native Americans reclaim their traditions. In the broad sense, a give-away is nearly the reverse of the majority culture's understanding of gift giving.

Historically, in the Native American tradition, many nations/tribes have conducted a give-away when being honored. In the majority culture, the expectation is to receive gifts when being honored, recognized, or celebrated on special occasions, such as birthdays, graduations, retirements, political elections, or special appointments.

I am on the board of trustees of a Native American college in Arizona. On graduation day some tribes/nations do a give-away. The graduating student is the one being honored, but the student and her/his family thank the school through a give-away. Gifts are given to the president, dean, professors, and others who provided influence and direction to the student during her/his college years. At one graduation the president receives five star quilts, among other gifts. Several months go into preparing for a give-away. Gifts for a give-away are either handmade by family members or are purchased from other tribal members or arts and crafts organizations. A give-away can be quite a financial undertaking.

Give-aways can be traced back to the tribes/nations of the midwestern and high plains. As with fry-bread, we don't know the specific tribal tradition of origin. Today the give-away practice continues in the communities and gatherings of many tribes and nations.

Another form of gift giving takes place when one visits a Native American home for the first time. It is not unusual for the head of the house to present the visitor with a gift. A first-time visitor in a home might hear, "Friend, this is the first time you have come into my home. I and my family consider it an honor for you to be here, and we want you to have this to remember this day."

When a family member is honored in the community — at a powwow as head dancer, chairperson of the planning committee, or even as a water boy, for the first time — the family may do a give-away in that person's honor. By community standards this is expected. Sometimes the family provides a feast. Food and the sharing of food are a blessing. Everyone who consumes the food receives a blessing.

Prior to the actual distribution of material goods, a personal song or an honor song is sung. Family members and friends dance to this song, which honors their loved one. Relatives and family members help gather the items to be given away.

One gives to strangers, not simply hoping to make friends, but because it is the honorable thing to do. One gives to honor a relative, and this in turn honors that person in the eyes of the community. One gives when one seemingly has nothing to give.

Gift giving is very alive in the Native American heart. If you participate in a workshop conducted by a Native American and give-aways are strong in that person's tribal tradition, or if the presenter values gifting or a give-away, you may receive a gift at the conclusion of the workshop. When you attend that workshop you, in a sense, honor the presenter by attending her workshop and she says thank you by giving you a small gift.

As you read Gifts from the Heart, think of it as being in the writers' house for the first time. In their house, they share intimately with you some of their happiest and most painful moments. You honor the writers by taking the book and using it in your small group. The story is the gift.

These stories are gifts to you because you honor the writers by reading and discussing them in your small groups. These writers have opened their hearts and souls to give you something more than the tangible; they are giving you something that will help you build a relationship with God the Creator. It is the hope of these Native American writers that they and you will become friends through these stories that tell of their relatives and of the primary way they stay connected to their Indian lineage. Gifts from the Heart is a source of honor as it is read and studied in small groups everywhere and as the writers themselves share it with their own families, relatives, and friends.

Alyne JoAnn Catolster
Enrolled Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
and staff at the General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, TN