Awiskini

Namki the Wise visits Adirondack Camp in the early evening once a week. He is very wise, because he is very old. We are no longer sure which of the Native American tribes he comes from and think of him more as a representative of all the Native Americans who once made their home in the Adirondacks. Namki usually tells a story – always with a few layers to peel – after first seeing to it that coups are claimed and tallied and the games fairly run.

Only Adirondack Braves may claim coup (an accumulation of points and recognition of excellence in one or more activities) and compete in the Awiskini games. Summer campers become eligible to compete in the Awiskini games by passing tests of silence, service to their community, and memory.

The games played at Awiskini reflect skills of dexterity, nimbleness, quick thinking and audacity. Some are individually played, others are built around teams. All camp games are good hearted and respectful, not only of one another, but for the culture of the People (that is how indigenous peoples called themselves) whose special, ceremonial place has been the chosen site of our Awiskini forever.

Mysterious and wondrous happenings are said to occur in this place, ringed by tall pines and bedrock cliffs. Fire once arrived on the tip of an arrow. An old chieftain appeared, once, on the face of the Awiskini cliff and then disappeared. There is a bird that only sings its melodic song in the Awiskini grounds -- that can be heard but never seen.