78-04-B7
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A Gift [Indian headdress][edit]
Transcript[edit]Gifts to public office holders have become a political no-no associated with chicanery and wrongdoing. But aren't there gifts an elected official should accept out of kindness? I'll be right back. During my own terms in office, I was aware of the gifts one couldn't accept, no matter how well intentioned the donor, but there were gifts that couldn't be refused without doing a great unkindness. The handmade gift from a class of school children, the knitted afghan from an elderly woman who proudly recreated the state seal. To have returned such gifts would have been too hurtful to good and sincere people who were asking nothing in return. Today a 78-year old man lies in a hospital, far from his Oklahoma home. He can no longer speak, so we have no way of knowing the depth of his hurt but it's reported that he has despondent. The man is Chief Redbird of the Cherokee Nation. For more than 60 years, he has presented to each president of the United States a ceremonial headdress. In the beginning, they were made with the traditional eagle feathers, later on as the need grew to protect these handsome birds, turkey feathers were used. But whichever, they were beautifully made in the ancient manner and we can only partially understand the significance of giving these spectacular headdresses to the pale face chief in Washington. Chief Redbird's first presentation was to Woodrow Wilson, who received it with dignity and appreciation, as did other presidents who followed. They were Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, who was on virtually every front page wearing his, then Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, who could hardly be forced into a hat. But respecting the dignity of the chief he donned the headdress. Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon also received the chief and his gifts. Though ill and far from home, Chief Redbird made and sent to president Carter his symbolic gift. His way of invoking the great spirit of his people to watch over the chief in the White House. The staff returned the symbolic gift to the chief telling him the president did not accept gifts from the public. A spokesman for the chief said, quote, "This bonnet is not a gift. It's a symbolic tribute to the nation's chosen leader." Unquote. Obviously Chief Redbird wasn't asking anything for himself or his people. Certainly no one would have thought the president was taking advantage of his high position or obligating himself in a way not in keeping with his trust. A good and gentle man lies ill. His kindliness and loyalty rejected and a tradition he started as a youth now broken, possibly forever. Yes, he is despondent. He must also be somewhat bewildered by the ways of the white man. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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