It Takes A Team and I caught a Fish

Friday, July 17, 2015

It was still dark at 5am when we got ready to head out for the big fishing expedition.  Got to hand to my team:  everyone was up and excited to get going.  We headed out in a light drizzle, met up with Les et al and headed toward the Bighorn River.  An hour later we arrived riverside, and after a short walk found ourselves on a rocky beach at the bend in the river.  Within moments the fishing rods and bait were out, and the first trout was on the hook!  Very exciting and contagious, and a drop dead gorgeous setting.  Soon there were 9 fish on our line, and we were letting fish go.  I caught my first fish quickly, then kept losing my bait to trout more clever than me.  Little did I know how much fishing teaches about patience and persistence.

After several hours, and giddy with our success, we headed back to Crow Agency as it was too wet to do our picnic at the river.  Thus ensued a long, but interesting preparation and cooking of the fish on a firepit dug in the backyard of the Head Start building(have you ever heard of peppered bacon?).  At any rate, a couple of hours later we were feasting on grilled fish, corn, and salads.  Fantastic!

Off to Bingo at the nursing home as our last project of the week, while half the team remained behind to clean and organize.  Bingo went well, and I slipped out to make a visit to Gary, the 30 year old son of one of the women at the Sweat Ceremony, who was in an horrible car accident when he was in high school.  He was able to smile at me, and wink when asked questions.  A sobering interlude in an otherwise amazing day.

Exhausted, we packed up and headed out to our celebration dinner.  The team was presented with small tokens to remember their week in Crow, and I received a small leather pouch with tobacco, brought from the Mohegan tribe in recognition of leadership and appreciation.

It takes a team to make these unforgettable weeks a reality and a success.  My team here receives my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for spirit, energy and hard work.  I am profoundly grateful to my team at home and at  work for taking care of everything, and providing support and encouragement for these great but sometimes unpredictable adventures.  Phil and Shari have cared for everything at home, including entertaining, and keeping Persey fed and walked.  Janie, Char, Pattie and Kathy have kept everything under control, and patients well cared for at work. You have all contributed the success of this work.

With much love from Crow Country,

Barbara