Victory Collection-Book One

Meeka

Meeka, Daughter of the Chief

She was a beautiful Alaskan-Indian girl named Meeka, who was admired by her entire Eyak tribe. She had many of the same traits as her beloved father, Chief Deepak. He was the ruler of the Deepak Nation, governing many tribes before his death the year before. He had been chief for three decades, and dreamed of his daughter taking his place.

However, it was not to be. Again, a man was elected as chief. A chief was chairman of the board, the top executive who represented the tribe in all governmental affairs with federal agencies. He also conducted business on economic matters with non-Indians. The chief was elected by the people. He didn't have total power but he commanded respect, and his advice was usually accepted.

The chief was the civil leader, and there was a war leader as well.
Chief Deepak mentored his daughter concerning Indian traditions, but also embraced modern advancements.

Meeka always admired Joseph Medicine Crow, a historian who lived to the age of 102. She agreed with his philosophies about tradition versus modern society. She decided to follow in his footsteps. In that regard, she wrote study guides about Indian traditions, preserving the old ways. At the same time, she advocated for better schools and higher education. She worked toward getting a law passed to waive tuition for qualifying students from federally recognized tribes for two- or four-year degrees. Students had to be at least one-fourth Native American.

As the chief's daughter, Meeka was called an Indian princess by non-Indians. But that role was renamed last year to reflect rules of political correctness. She is simply referred to as the chief's daughter.

She completed college with a degree in Indian Studies. Insightful and skilled in handling cross-cultural and diversity issues, she became her father's capable assistant and his business manager.

One day, while representing her father's endeavors, she met Jason, who proved to be the love of her life. He was an agent with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a kind of government official. Jason agreed with other white agents that it was a little dishonest and ineffective for white men to qualify in Indian matters. But he took the job seriously, and worked diligently to improve relations between the Indians, settlers, and military personnel.

Since Meeka was involved with Indian relations as well, he had occasion to visit her office frequently. The two developed a friendship that evolved into a little flirtation. Despite differences in race and culture, they fell deeply in love. Jason proposed to her during the Fall Harvest Festival. He was very thankful for his lovely Meeka!

They started to plan a ceremonial Indian wedding for the next summer at the Summer Festival. To include a unique Alaskan cultural tradition, the bride and groom would arrive on the water in a kayak adorned with flowers. The beautiful mountains in the area provided the ideal backdrop for the event.

Jason asked Meeka's brother, Wanaka, to be his best man. The two men had formed a friendship, taking husky-drawn dogsled trips and hunting together like brothers. Jason became close to Meeka's remaining family.

Jason asked his friend, an American missionary, to stand beside the Indian official and co-perform the ceremony. Jason and Meeka, together, chose part of an Apache wedding blessing to read to the guests. It says:

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other.

Now you are two persons, but there is one life before you.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.