Aquidneck Island Tribal Council Heals at Home

You may have seen the tee pee in the backyard along Middle Road. Or, you may have seen smoke sometimes wafting into the air and heard the accompanying drum beat, along with songs of an ancient culture.

This home on Middle Road is the headquarters of the Aquidneck Island Intertribal Indian Council, a volunteer organization made up of anyone with Native American blood "who doesn't belong," says Donald Sly.

Sly, who is also known as 3 Horses Sly Fox, is chief-chairman and spiritual leader of the nonprofit council.

"Anyone can be a council member," said 3 Horses, who is a member of the Comanche tribe.

The chief has led the Aquidneck Island council for the past three years. The organization is established as a peaceful and coherent intertribal council, with few rules and regulations.

The council was established to promote the knowledge of Native American heritage and ancestry, of mixed nations, and to promote community awareness whenever possible through ceremonies, historical teachings, crafts, story telling, drumming and singing.

While the council's headquarters are based in Portsmouth, members travel from throughout New England to participate.

"This is Wampanoag territory, but we're really friendly with the Wampanoags. We don't like playing politics," said 3 Horses, who uses the number "3" to spell his name.

"In ancient times, some would use symbols for their names, as they did not know how to write or print words, so traditionally I've carried that by using the number 3," he said.

At a recent Black Powder Shoot held in Tiverton, the Aquidneck Island Intertribal Indian Council conducted a blessing of the rifles before the shoot.

Wearing a headdress with turkey feathers painted red to appear to belong to the rare eagle, 3 Horses began the blessing of the rifles ceremony in the middle of the Tiverton woods.

He called out to the four directions: east, west, north and south, asking the Almighty being to bless the shooters.

The chief also wore buckskin and blue Calvary pants with yellow stripes. The pants were symbolic, according to 3 Horses. In times of war, his ancestors would have taken the pants of a soldier as a trophy for winning the battle, he said.

The chief, who works on the Newport Navy Base as a production controller, says the purpose of the council is to bring awareness and educate others about Native American culture and traditions.

"We want to bring about Native American awareness," he said. "We want to teach people, but if people need healing, we can do that, too."

The tribal council also performed a healing ceremony, drumming and singing, as well as held a naming ceremony, in which a young member received his next name on his journey through life.

According to 3 Horses, members receive three names: the name they are born with that they possess throughout childhood, a name as they enter adulthood and their own chosen name as an adult.

The council's spiritual leader presented the boy with a piece of violet wampum.

"The color purple is highly precious among the natives," 3 Horses said. The chief said he saw an image of a horse on the decorative shell.

"From now on, you will be known as 'Kicking Horse,'" 3 Horses said to Noah McCabe of South Kingstown, who received his new name at the ceremony.

The young boy, now known as Kicking Horse, was introduced to those in attendance by his new name.

Born in Newport and raised in Middletown, 3 Horses is no stranger to spiritual healing. He once served as a lay minister at the Chapel of Hope on the Navy base, St. Michael Church in Middletown and St. Paul Church.

"Being the chief of the council, we have gotten away from the organized church," he said. "This (the woods) is our church now."

A Portsmouth resident for the past 22 years, 3 Horses has also a background in Christian rock music, performing for several churches over the years. While he no longer performs, he says he still has a fondness for music.

Today, 3 Horses and the council remain busy visiting local libraries, schools and anywhere else they are needed to provide healing or offer education about Native American culture.

The Aquidneck Island Intertribal Council meets once a month on Middle Road. The council has about 30 members, including 12-15 active participants.

The next meeting will be held on Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. at 222 Middle Road. Guests are welcome.

For more information about the council, please click here.