Winter Trace 2010

I am sorry I have not been able to blog on this event sooner.

Winter Trace 2010 was a great time filled with great fellowship and great food. There were many men and boys who came for the weekend, and fun was had by all. This was my first winter trace in probably 20 years, wow I am getting old.

God bless,

Lil Buff

Fall Trace 2009

Fall Trace 2009

Yet another great weekend of fellowship and great food.

People began to arrive thursday, but the majority of our brothers arrived Friday, hugs all around. Evey trace is like catching up things, but like it was just yesterday that we had seen eachother. The brotherhood of men and young men continue to amaze me.

There were 7 new green horns going through the big adventure this past weekend, and what a blessing to having this brotherhood grow once again. I look forward to every opportunity I have to get together to see my brothers, and I hope and pray that these new greenhorns will come to know and appreciate the brotherhood the way that I have. Friday night our first meeting began, and communications were had. White Owl is one of the most passionate people I know especially when it comes to FCF. Our chapter has been blessed with some great leadership, in my time I have known Onk Or, Two Blood, and White Owl as presidents. there are many staff that have also bee great blessings, and it is important for all of them to be recognized. If you have ever been a member of the North Star District staff, I salute you, and say thanks.

The Rain
Despite all of the rain, it didn't keep us from eachother. There many fires and stoves a blazen', and countless storries and conversaitons being told around them through out the weekend. A little rain can't keep us down. My first fall trace was in 1986 at Lamefoots camp next to the river, I believe the river was flooding that fall, the rain didn't stop once. Yet we all spend time in fellowship and eating great food as usual. I think that was the first time I had eaten waffles with Norm Klausen, I will never forget it.

Trading
Over the years I have always enjoyed doing a little trading and selling of goods to both young bucks, and old timers. This year there were a few trade blankets, including mine. I have been blessed over the years, especially as a young buck, by trading and gifting at times. This trace was no exception. I enjoyed trading with many of the young bucks, although I truley hope that it was seen as a blessing to them, I felt blessed to help educate and encourage the young bucks about what they are selling and trading. I believe in know what you have, being able to label it appropriately, and finding something of value that matches the value of what you trade. I spend some time with some of the young bucks doing exactly that. I believe in teaching people to fish, not just giving the fish to them, and I hope when were blessing people, that we are doing this as a group.

Court
There were several court cases this fall, but the one to remembered for all times is the year long saga of the missing gavel. The honorable judge Onk or, had his Gavel missing for one year, and received proof of where it was over those months. This poor Gavel has had many travels, and it finally found its way home on Saturday. The individual behind all of this story, documented the Gavels travels well, and presented them in a book to Onk Or as as way to honor our judge. The was one of the most exciting court cases ever presented at our honorable court.

Good byes
Saying good bye is always hard, but after a wonderful breakfast from our cook and his staff, we cleaned up, packed up, and heading our own directions.

See ya at the next one.

God Bless
Lil Buff

2009 FCF Family Picnic August 14 to 16th

Another summer is coming to an end, and the family picnic was a great way to show that.

Friday it was hot, it was said that some even took a cool dip in good old Lake Placid before they jumped in the sack.

Saturday was much more comfortable. The women spent sometime crafting making jewelry while the men spend time with the little ones. The littlest ones found themselves looking for silver amongst the sawdust. Fun was had by all, including the adults. These little ones would find their silver and then trade it in for money and something sweet, I'm sure the sweets would have been a good enough trade for most of these little ones. They seemed to have a great time.

Time for the pot lock:
The dinner bell was rung, and the food was on. There were many viddles for all to try, I am pretty sure no one went home, or back to their lodges hungry. As usual, the food was great, and the fellowship was even better. After the eaten' was done, it was time for the auction, but there was one presentation that needed to be completed. For those of you who were at Territorial this past July, you will remember the beautiful buckskin jacket that was presented to our wonderful Prez White Owl, when the presentations was finally completed just after lunch. White Owl was presented with the remainder of his new skins. A pair of buckskin pants, and a beautifully beaded buckskin warshirt. Many thanks to our wonderful prez for all of his hard work, and dedication to this wonderful FCF family.

Auction:
Well I don't have the totals yet, but there appeared to be a frog skins collected for our chapter. there were many items on the auction block including: cook ware, clothing, Adirondack chairs, furs, and even some corn. Thanks to all who made the auction a success.

The rest of the weekend may need to be filled in by others who finished off the picnic there. I had to take my family home Saturday afternoon.

Please feel free to post, and leave comments to help build this blog

Lil Buff,
North Star Historian

Photos from Explorer territorial Rendezvous 2009

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=1084459020/a=1380666020_1380666020/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

MN North Star Chapter Historical Blog

Effective Spring Trace 2009, I became the North Start Chapter Historian. I am going to do the best job I can, and am going to try to add a little technology to it.

I will be blogging and creating a space for others comment on the MN FCF.

More soon.

Lil' Buff

Explorer Territorial Rendezvous July 16-18th

The Explorer Territorial Rendezvous held in Waupaca, WI was an event that will be talked about for years to come.



Minnesota Chapter members originated their trip from many locations, like many rendezvous of old, to come together as one unit. Little Buffalo was the first from Minnesota to arrive in the Rendezvous encampment at Camp Wilderness. Then White Owl and his wagon Train of many horses arrived. Others arrived throughout the evening and into the early morning. There were many hugs to go around, embracing brothers not seen for a while.



I tell you what, this chapter is like a well oil machine, working together setting up camp. Camp was set up and the horses were corralled for safe keeping. Then several of the horses were teamed up to head to town for one last meal before we would all have to "suffer for Jesus" eating Two Blood's cooking.



Other chapters were rolling in throughout the day, getting set up, and soon camp looked like we had gone back in time 200 years. There were almost 100 members from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Northern Missouri, approximately 1/3 of the attendees were from Minnesota. The North Star Chapter had a great showing, we all should be very proud.



The speaker for the Rendezvous was Jacque Le Christian, he had many stories to tell that made us all think. We took time to consider where we are at in our walk with the Lord, and how prepared we are for the Lord's coming. We need to be ready, and keep our eyes open, we know Christ is coming. We don't know the day or time, but like Jacque's story of the young trapper, who knew he was being watched, we need to be "Ready for Anything", and prepared at all times for what we may be presented with.



There were many a great story being told in camps throughout the rendezvous from Minnesota to Wisconsin, from North Dakota to Northern Missouri, etc etc. It was truly awesome to see the heart of God in the the men and boys who were at this event. Many young bucks were able to create, buy, or trade for something new for their outfits. Some of the those young bucks were getting pretty good at the trade blanket scene. The Old-timers were just awesome, this ministry is for the boys, but FCF is where Men and Boys come together and are equals.



The auction on Friday was awesome, it raised over $2,000 for missions. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. It was fun and God's work will grow because of it.



There is so much to speak about regarding this rendezvous, and if others would like to remark on their experiences, please do.



I will be posting pictures from the Rendezvous soon, and if you have any, please send me a copy, so that I can add to the historical record of this event.



Signing off,



Lil' Buff

MN North Star Historian