Page 22 - September 2019

PERSPECTIVES

the Kachina wore had significant meaning. The harsh winters in Northern Arizona when the
“Mud Head” dancers he carved (crude sack masks main kiva dances are held. Abbot felt that was to
and often rather obese) were the teachers and be my future—a “giver”, a mentor and one who

disciplinarians for the village. Yet again, silence can live and learn in silence and be at peace.
was the main teacher. Periods of quiet and Let me tie this into our experience as
concentration on portraying his Hopi tradition. Toastmasters. We become so word oriented in
Sadly, Sunday arrived-a shorter day with now our Toastmaster journey that we often feel we

evening hours. I stayed out of the doll club’s way must insert constant words in all that we are and
and attended the final hours of my spiritual and say. Whether it be as mentor or coach, we talk,
mental retreat with Mr. Sekestewa. I was never and talk and then talk some more. Oh yes, we
allowed to carve, but I did paint the undercoat for practice active listening skills, but in reality, do

one figure. An hour before closing, he motioned we allow the “sounds of silence” to permeate our
me forward. He reached into his personal bag experience? I must confess, not too often. Silence
and brought forth a simple but accurate Kachina. at age eight became a perfect yet demanding
“This is for you. You have been my companion teacher, a skill I often had to employ when visiting

and the quietest white boy I have ever known. native villages and elders in the far north.
Take him home with you and remember me.” I Fellow Toastmasters, I heartily recommend
was therefore dismissed from his “school” with that you allow solitude, quiet and silence to be
my “diploma” in the form of a kachina carved by your teacher, master and a vital skill one can add

him. I sped to the large exhibit room where my to their “toolbox” as a leader and learner along
mother’s companions were packing up. I showed the Toastmasters experience.
her my prize, and being my mother, she took me
back to him to have me return it. He would not
take it back, saying it was mine, earned over three

days of watching him pray, see what the wood
could become under his carving and the painting
of the elements of that specific Kachina dancer
or spirit. She ended buying another kachina, a Nothing strengthens

mud head, for herself. I now own both kachinas
and they are a treasure from my childhood.
You ask what was the kachina? It was Laqan, authority so much as
from Second Mesa, the squirrel dancer. Now you

aren’t supposed to begin laughing, pointing out
that the squirrel was the right kachina for me. silence.—Leonardo da Vinci

You see it was in Abbot’s eyes. The Laqan caches
food and other things for the hard months and

is considered a “giver of life” during the cold,

22 ONE COMMUNITY