The Tecumseh Lodge was chartered on January 25, 1946. but did not have their induction ceremony until April 28, 1946. They preformed their own induction with Archie Schingek, the Lenawee District Executive reading the rituals to them. They did not have an ordeal either, they simply were inducted into the new lodge. The original members were Douglas Liedel, Donald Burkett, Gerald Parker, Robert Miller, Jerry Syfert, Don Sywassink, Merlen Segraves, Harold Walker, John Moyer, Duane Bellmore and adults Claude Gee and Wilber Holmes. Whether some of these were part of the Tipisa group is unknown or if they were all elected in. It is known that the Tipisa members were allowed to join at the onset and at least one did even though he is not listed on the group roster. Alvin E. Jones who was the Wolverine Council Executive from 1942-1965 was the lodge founder.
In 1930 the "TIPISA (Order of the Red Lodge) Honor Campers Society was created at the camp. It had many similarities to OA in that it limited its membership, they were elected by peers (two scouts per two week camping period), there was an ordeal with twenty four hours of silence, there was a Council Fire ceremony with members dressed as Indians and each member had a membership patch given to them. Each member was given an Indian name as well as a real Eagle feather to wear at Council fires. Tipisa lasted until January 25, 1946 when it was converted directly to the Order of the Arrow Tecumseh Lodge #332. All members of Tipisa were allowed to convert membership into the OA if they participated in the OA ceremony. Many chose not to but some did. The ceremony pieces and rituals of Tipisa were used in the OA ceremonies at the camp for many years after. A campfire was one where the focus was on scouting. A "Council Fire" was special with every bit of it focused on the American Indian heritage. It was the high point of the camp session. |
