Instead of celebrating Halloween with its ghosts, witches and vampires, many families have switched to calling October 31st Harvest Eve. Rather than have “trick and treat” characters intended to frighten, they are choosing to honor historical heroes or other real or fictional personalities.

My first encounter with this delightful idea was a few years ago when a little cherub came to our door. After giving her a bag of chips, she placed a ribbon tied note in my hands and left. Joyfully I read, “you have just been visited by an angel”. I found out later that this had been a school project.

The fun, and it must be fun, begins weeks before Harvest Eve. Each child chooses, researches and writes a short summary of his favorite character. Besides sharing their knowledge with their family, selecting an appropriate costume, they are helped to make Character Card notes to hand out. In addition to being a great learning experience, the child learns to identify and acquire the positive attributes of their hero.

In our Native heritage we are privileged to have many men and women of distinguished valor.

Among our females, we have women such as Sacajawea who lived from 1784 to 1812. Known as “Bird Woman” she was an interpreter and the only woman on the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806.

Likewise, Emily Pauline Johnson, 1861-1913, became an acclaimed Mohawk poet. Although she wrote a number of books, her most famous work is, “The Song My Paddle Sings”.

Similarly, male heroes are abundant. Joseph Brant, 1742-1807, was a Mohawk chief. Having learned to read and write English, he took upon himself the responsibility of translating the Bible into the Mohawk language.

Kicking Bird, 1835-1875, a Kiowa Chief was known for his wisdom, courage and strength. He valued knowledge and thus worked at improving the education field among his people.

Heroines and heroes abound. Since we are all children at heart, perhaps you may wish to enlighten and brighten your little corner of the world with a favorite character this Harvest Eve.

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