The Story of the
Kabapikotawangag Staff
The Kabapikotawangag Staff belongs to the Lake of the Sand Bars. It was given to us by the spiritual. It was given to Clifford in a dream. (Told by Clifford Skead)
A man came and told him to make a staff for the lake people. The staff was to be the size of a man - longer than 6 feet. The feathers belong to and represent each community.
The ribbons represent the rainbow.
The beaver pelt represents the beaver that lives in the water.
The pipe was to have a stub and be purple like the sky.
The one who looks after the Tribal Council has to look after it, and it looks after us.
The staff should be feasted in the spring and the fall - all these things are sacred. It can be feasted anywhere on the Lake.
The spiritual staff (being) was given to us by the Creator.
Clifford waited before he told anyone.
He had a second dream and saw the staff. He was asked “Do you have it made?”
“No” he said.
This will keep your people together.
( A seventh Eagle Feather was added to the Staff to represent the Youth
of AKRC. )
The staff can be at traditional, non-traditional, and government meetings.
It can stay at the office where the man that looks after the Tribal Council is.
It has to be near him. The Kabapikotawangag Staff does not have to go to meetings... except when the Elders gather.