Indian Day Immokalee Style

By Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — Members of the Immokalee community turned out in great numbers for fun, companionship, laughter, contests and wonderful food in celebration of Indian Day on Saturday, Sept. 25.

The Immokalee recreation department under the direction of David and Maria Billie planned and funded the happy occasion. Immokalee Council Liaison Elaine Aguilar supplied not only the food and drinks, but was on hand for the preparation of the traditional Seminole meal cooked over the open fire.

Indian Day activities began at 10 a.m. with canoe races on the lake. The men paddled canoes while the women and children relied on the more stable paddle boats to carry them across the lake. The group competed in teams of two. Competition was very close in the men's division with first and second place being only a few seconds apart.

At the conclusion of the lake events, everyone moved to the athletic field where they were joined by a much larger group ready to celebrate the holiday. A slip ‘n’ slide, water balloon rockets and bounce and slide had been set up in the field and were already in use. While Maria Billie supervised the axe throwing, Ito Montanez carefully tabulated the scores in archery.

The axe throwing got off to a rough start without any successful throws and a few of the hatchets lost their heads. Soon the group realized that extreme force was not required. Slow, smooth motions would put the axe right into the log. Once they mastered the technique, stiff competition ensued with several run-offs to determine the winners. Watch out for those seniors; they were right on target.

The degree of accuracy with the bow and arrow was very surprising. High scores were quickly adding up and several individuals had to shoot again for tie-breakers.

While all of this was going on, several young children had gathered under one of the chickees, and without adult supervision, they had organized their own games. Seeing them playing and laughing together brings back memories of a simpler time before expensive toys, television and ATVs. Children in the villages amused themselves with a pile of dirt, some stones or a few sticks for hours on end. They could easily make their own entertainment and it enhanced their creativity.

The annual turtle races drew a laughing crowd with a variety of hard and soft shelled competitors. Although some of the entrants required a little nudge to start, others immediately made a mad dash, perhaps looking for a quick exit.

Two member teams, according to age, formed two lines for the Raw Egg Toss. There was a very large turn-out for this event and eggs flew through the air in abundance. You couldn't look in any particular direction without seeing eggs running down faces, hands or clothing. Definitely not a game for the faint of heart.

The cooking fire had been started at 9 a.m. and Elaine Aguilar, assisted by Sylvia Marrero, Sheila Aguilar, Amey Yzaguirre, Vanessa Aguilar and Michelle Ford worked for hours preparing a wonderful meal of fried chicken, pork, rice, beef, beans, corn, fry bread and sofkee. Louise Motlow offered the blessing and then the seniors led the food line. It was a banquet fit for a king and they all loaded up their plates. Sylvia Marrero's mouth watering fry bread was sampled by everyone and she was declared the first place winner.

A traditional clothing contest was held immediately after dinner while everyone relaxed and allowed their meal to settle. There were numerous entries with a wide variety of patchwork and styles which included skirts, tops, jackets, shirts, capes, dresses and man shirts. All of the workmanship was remarkable and it was very hard to persuade people to judge this colorful event. Everyone was great!

A pie eating contest was held to conclude the festivities. Unfortunately, the contestants were at a disadvantage, with stomachs still full from the dinner. It proved very difficult to compete. Never the less, there were numerous entrants in all age groups.

Despite an overcast sky and occasional light showers, the group returned to the athletic field for the log peeling contest.

With the planned events concluded and a light rain falling, Indian Day was officially over. However that was not the case for many of the youth and young adults. Several brave, hearty souls remained for another egg toss and then began an impromptu relay race with the freshly peeled logs on their shoulders.

There was a strong feeling of pride, companionship and family spirit that no one wanted to see end. Needless to say, everyone is already looking forward to Indian Day 2005.

Results from all the events:

Canoe race winners: Adult Men: 1.Kenny Joe Davis and Abe Rockwell, 2. Rudy Martinez and Daniel Yzaguirre, 3. Joey Pineta and Justin Davis. Adult Women: 1. Angie Arregiun and Maria Billie, 2. Diane McInturff and Jennifer Ramos, 3. America Martinez and Sylvia Martinez. Boys: Justin Villarreal and Tommy Benson, 2. Allen Hernandez and J.R. (Norberto Delarosa). Girls: 1. Christian Benson and Jessica Osceola. 2. Cassandra Jimmie and Esmerala Billie, 3. Vanessa Billie and Alexis Martin Aguilar.

Axe throwing winners are: Men: 1.Kenny Joe Davis, 2. Abe Rockwell, 3. Ralph Sanchez. Women: 1. Susan Davis 2. Vanessa Aguilar 3. Jennifer Ramos. Seniors: 1. Nancy Motlow 2. Virginia Tommie. Boys: 1.Mark Arriaga 2. Daniel Yzaguirre 3. Justin Villarreal. Girls: 1. Cheyenne McInturff, 2.Christian Benson, 3. Josie Davis.

Bow and arrow results. Men: 1 Kenny Joe Davis, 2. Abe Rockwell, 3. David Billie. Women: 1. Ashley Billie, 2. Moya Escobar, 3. Susan Davis. Seniors: 1. Nancy Motlow and 2. Virginia Tommie. Girls: 1. Cheyenne McInturff, 2. Christian Benson, 3. Jessica Osceola. Boys: 1. Tommy Benson, 2. Nathan Lewis-Pierre and 3. Cody Motlow.

Winners of the clothing contest. Three and younger: girls: 1. Lindsey Posada, 2. Shyana Escobar. Boys: 1. K. J. Davis.2.James Mora. 4-10-year-old Girls. 1. Aaliyah Mora, 2. Lauren Posada, 3. Chelsey Ford. Boys: 1. John Jimmie 2. Neo Motlow. 11-17-year-old Girls: 1. Lazara Marrero, 2. Cassandra Jimmie, 3. Josie Davis. Boys: Michael Shaffer. Adult Women: 1. Lorraine Posada, 2. Michelle Aguilar, 3. Amey Yzaguirre. Adult Men: 1. Little Raymond Yzaguirre, 2. Abe Rockwell, 3. Vincent Motlow. Seniors: 1. Nancy Motlow, 2. Virginia Tommie, 3. Mary Sanchez.

Pie eating contest. Youth: 1. Tommy Benson 2. Norberto Delarosa, 3. Christian Benson. Adults: 1. Mike Alvarado, 2. Vince Motlow, 3. Veronica Doctor. Seniors: 1. Mary Sanchez, 2. Nancy Motlow. 3. Virginia Tommie.

Log peeling results: Men: 1. Abe Rockwell, 2. Justin Davis, 3. Vince Motlow. Women: 1. Amey Yzaguirre, 2. Elsa Zamora, 3. Veronica Doctor. Girls: 1. Cheyenne McInturff, 2. Josie Davis, 3. Esmeralda Billie. Boys: 1. Tommy Benson, 2. Mark Arriaga, 3. Randy Osceola.

Turtle race results. Youth: 1. Neo Motlow, 2. Lauren Posada, 3. Bonnie Davis. Adults: 1. Angie Arreguin, 2. Mark Arriaga, 3. Homer Villarreal. Seniors: 1. Mary Sanchez 2. Nancy Motlow.

Raw egg toss results. Children: 1. Jessica Osceola and Cody Motlow, 2. Mallory Sanchez and Mark Arriaga, 3. Vanessa Billie and Celina Perez. Adults: 1. David Billie and Ashley Billie, 2. Ito Montanez and Michael Alvarado, 3. Maria Billie and Angie Arreguin. Seniors: 1. Nancy Motlow and Raymond Mora. 2. Mary Sanchez and Michelle Sanchez.