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Directory: Writers with Works in NAWPA
The Gathering
by Baba Cooper
Copyright 2008
Characters
- Emily: Traditional American Indian elder woman between the
ages of 65 and 75. Rich in knowledge of the Indian way of life. Humble,
loving, intelligent, strong character. Believes in the transformation of
the human soul. Mentor to Maddy. Dedicated to Indian people and the
traditional way of life.
- Maddy: American Indian woman seeking to live the traditional
bIndian way of life. Early twenties. Caring, inquisitive, hard worker,
Emily's helper and apprentice. Dedicated to the Indian way of life. No
longer
wandering through life with no direction.
Pauline: American Indian woman. Early to late twenties.
Militant Indian activist. Angry, warrior spirit, strong, dedicated to
the improvement and treatment of American Indian people. Just released
from jail for leading a protest movement to stop Indian children from
being removed from their families and placed away from the people.
- Debra: Young American Indian woman. Late teens. Half breed.
Quiet, inquisitive, apologetic, seeking her identity as an Indian woman,
longs to belong to the Indian way of life, limited social skills. Works
as a librarian.
- Agatha: Full blooded American Indian woman. Forty something.
High class, wealthy, intelligent, bitter, arrogant. Resents being
American Indian. Unhappy with her life. A Doctor of Orthopedics.
- Lillian: Traditional American Indian woman and dancer. Thirty
to forty something. Travels through Indian country teaching Indian
cultural classes for children and adults.
- Blue Dove: A wanna be American Indian woman. Late twenties,
early thirties. Makes her living as a strip tease dancer. Phony, sleazy,
lies and manipulates, not trustworthy. Looking to make some quick money
any way she can.
- Grandmother Spirits (2): Solemn, serene, gentle. They appear
as spirit guides wearing traditional regalia that resemble eagle
dancers. The Spirits are graceful and dance as if in flight.
- Dancing Spirits (8): All women spirits. Solemn, dignified,
graceful eagle dancers.
- FBI Agent: Male. Sly. Pushy. Has a voice-only part.
Summary
Spring, 1970. During this time, for American Indian people, there is no
Indian Child Welfare Act, American Indian Religious Freedom Act, no
Indian gaming or casinos. American Indians remain the most impoverished
minority in the United States. Alcoholism is rampant and their number
one killer. The wounds of genocide are deep.
Emily, a traditional American Indian elder, lives in a cabin nestled in
the serenity of the mountains where heaven meets earth. Emily is keeper
of the old Indian ways. Her values and beliefs are unshakeable. Emily
holds weekend retreats for Indian women as a way of helping them
overcome problems and regenerate their spirits. Maddy, Emily's apprentice, lives with her and assists with the retreats. The
weekend is approaching and Emily senses trouble and knows powerful
changes are going to occur.
Six Indian women, for various reasons, have come to the retreat.
They are vastly different from one another and must spend the
weekend together. This provides for a clash of values and
lifestyles. Deep hatreds and secrets erupt. For some, the will to
self-destruct is imminent. For others, the beauty of the Indian
culture is a dream to be realized.
Emily must see the women through the weekend. She believes if there
is to be a healthy future for Indian people, transformation and
healing must happen. She knows the women can return to their homes as
empowered victors who will play major parts in creating powerful
movements that will advance Indian people. Emily must do this before it
is too late.
-Synopsis written by the author.
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