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TRACK ELEVEN Spirit Matters
Keokuk as chief took official and ceremonial visits to neighboring tribes, in the Northwest Territories, as well as several long trips to and from Washington DC. Typically he was on horseback and in full regalia as signs of his prestige. One of the trips to Washington was in 1824, he went again in 1832, and then in 1837 he had a speaking tour in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. Chapman, on foot and in his usual tatters, back in Ohio and Indiana, often managed to cross paths.

When they were a few years older, the topics of conversation had more to do with spiritual matters. Keokuk rejected the variety of Christianity that Chapman was so taken by, because as far as he was concerned, it was mostly about what he called Christian liquor. It seemed to many that the white frontier made a specialty of booze, and its corollaries brawling, bragging, and debauchery. Chapman presented a vigorous outdoorsman persona, but his was an entirely different take on masculinity: nonviolent, vegetarian, non-acquisitive, generous.

Chapman never could get very far with Keokuk on the specifics of some of his more occult interests, time travel and the like. But on topics about Nature and the presence of spirits in Nature, both men had an affinity --for that idea of seeing your God in all things and seeing a connection among things that are alive now, and were alive in the past, because they were still somehow present.

Keokuk spoke movingly to Chapman about THE HAWK, because the hawk was for his tribe a symbol of vigilant observation. The hawk was also a benevolent guide. It represented a flow of blessings that descended as the hawk circled silently above.

Chapman was happiest in the forest communing with Nature, and this was a view of Nature that had nothing to do with economic exploitation or “conquering” Nature. Chapman, walking alone on one of the trails that Native people had created in times long long ago, would often see, coming across his trail or through the meadow, the shadow of the hawk, a shadow as much as six feet across. Keokuk had told him that the shadow of the hawk crossing one’s path was a sign of good luck, and a reminder to stay strong, to keep on with one’s spiritual journey.

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from Crossing Paths with Johnny Appleseed, released April 20, 2021

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Jim Novak Ann Arbor, Michigan

Now work-shopping these Appleseed songs and stories into a one-man show. Singer-songwriter from Ann Arbor. Host of “Songwriters Open Mic” for over 25 years. Producer and videographer of half-hour TV programs, “Songwriters Open Mic Ann Arbor,” broadcast weekly from1996 to present (recent episodes on youtube). Former college teacher, program advisor, instructional designer for adult learners. ... more

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