American Girl (North Dakota)(Lea Sheryn) The wild horse ran across the prairie, its mane and tail flying in the wind. Wachiwi ran with the horse. Timing the motion, she grabbed the black mane and swung on its back. The girl and horse galloped as one, circling in the waving grass. She rose steadily onto her haunches and stood with outstretched arms. The horse continued to run with the girl standing on its back.
Wachiwi's black hair spread out like wings. She felt the wind in her face and the horse's motion beneath her. She was one with nature. Breathing deeply, Wachiwi took a step backward and turned smoothly. The horse dropped to a canter, and the girl faced its tail. Leaping into the air, her body twisted gracefully and landed on her bare feet. The horse continued to run with the girl on its back.
They cantered together, circling the prairie. Wachiwi dropped into a straddling position and scanned the prairie. She had the odd feeling that someone was watching her. Perhaps one of the young men had followed her. Still, she didn't see anyone in the vicinity. Her eyes usually picked up the slightest movement. Her senses strained for a sound or a movement. Ensuring no one was around, she prodded the horse with her knees.
The horse moved into a smooth gallop. Wachiwi hunched across its back, flattening her body. The wind raced against her skin. Leaning to one side, she picked a prairie rose and tucked it into her hair. She enjoyed the loneliness of the reservation lands. She could pretend the land was free again, and her people hunted the buffalo as they did in grandfather's youth. At night, the old man told stories of long ago before the government took their land and gave it to the white settlers.
Closing her eyes, Wachiwi saw the buffalo grazing in herds. She saw her forefathers hunting and her grandmothers tanning the hide and making jerky. The buffalo were gone, but her tribe held on to their traditions. Grandfather told stories, his memory sharp despite his one hundred and twelve moons. Grandfather wasn't really her grandfather. They called him that out of respect for his age and wisdom.
Wachiwi rose to her feet again. Her companion dropped his gait as though he knew her mind. She did a perfect backflip and another. Squatting, she placed her hands on the running horse's back and lifted her feet in the air. Her legs straightened, and she stood upside down. The sensation of someone watching returned.
Concentrating on one spot, she trained her eyes and stared. The horse came around again, and Wachiwi studied the prairie, retaining her upside-down position. She felt certain a man hunkered in the prairie grass just out of sight.
Wachiwi lowered her legs and returned to a sitting position. She prodded the horse using her knees until he moved in her indicated direction. They slowed to a walk, and she scanned the area closely.
"Who's there?" she called in Lakota. "Who are you?" she repeated in English. Wachiwi could speak both languages. She attended the white man's school on the reservation. "Hello?"
No one responded. Perhaps she had only imagined there were eyes focused on her. She rode away, galloping bareback on the wild horse. Abruptly, they swung back around and charged across the prairie. At the last moment, the horse leaped over a hidden object. Wachiwi turned the horse again and rode back.
"Who are you? What do you want?" she asked the figure lying flat in the prairie grass.
"I want you," the tall blonde man stated, rising.
Wachiwi studied the man skeptically. He wore fringed buckskins and a buff-colored hat. His hair was long and curled at the ends. In his hand, he clasped a long rifle.
"I…I don't understand," Wachiwi stated in English. "You? You want me? Why? What have I done?"
"You have done everything…wonderfully," the stranger exclaimed, his smile broadening beneath his huge, drooping mustache. "Ride around again and do that flipping thing." He gestured for her to perform her stunts.
"But why?" Wachiwi still didn't understand.
"Allow me to introduce myself." The man bowed deeply. "William F. Cody, at your service."
"William F…" Wachiwi knew the name. Even on the isolated North Dakota reservation, people spoke of William F. Cody. "You're Buffalo Bill?"
"In the flesh." He bowed again. "Now, show me everything you can do."
Pride swelled in Wachiwi. She prodded the horse with her knees. They raced across the prairie as one. Standing on her hands, the native girl walked a circle on her ride's back. Wachiwi did a sudden backflip and landed right side up. She somersaulted and cartwheeled. Rising again, she spread her arms wide, allowing the wind to take her hair. They circled back.
Buffalo Bill clapped wildly. Wachiwi launched herself off the horse, landing perfectly before Bill Cody. He stood back with his hands on his hips, surveying her. A delighted grin crossed his face. He shouted Bravo! Bravo!
"You will join my Wild West Show?" he asked, offering her his hand.
Wachiwi hesitated. She thought about traveling around the world, performing for masses of people. The idea thrilled her, but it wasn't her decision. It was up to the tribe and grandfather to decide. Would he let her go or would he keep her on the reservation?
Grandfather longed to keep their traditions alive. He did not care for the white man's world. He lived on the reservation because the government said he must. The old man wanted their free land; he did not want to share it with the settlers. He would never grant Wachiwi permission to leave.
Buffalo Bill waited for her answer. He studied her carefully. Wachiwi was a beautiful girl, wild and earthy. She belonged to the prairie, and the prairie belonged to her. For years, he had traveled across the western states seeking new talent. He, too, wanted to keep Western traditions alive. Both the white settlers and native people fascinated him. They all combined, fulfilling his desire to showcase their rituals and talents.
"You are not free to decide," the Wild West Show founder finally stated. Wachiwi nodded vigorously. Bill Cody understood. He'd previously faced the same dilemma. "Take me to your people. I will explain."
Wachiwi rode into her village with Buffalo Bill Cody following on his own horse. Women and children stopped to stare at the famous white man. He smiled and nodded toward them in a friendly manner. The girl took him to grandfather's teepee. The old man squatted on a buffalo rug. He looked up at her expectantly.
"A visitor, grandfather," she stated, hovering in the opening. "A white man."
Grandfather's lips snarled. He never invited white men into his private space. Wachiwi hovered expectantly.
"He's a rather special white man," the girl offered. "It's not the agent," she added.
"All right, child, show him in." Grandfather invited, sounding reluctant.
Buffalo Bill ducked through the opening and stood before the old man. Introducing himself, he explained the situation. Grandfather nodded with a stone face. Wachiwi couldn't gauge his thoughts.
"You want to take this child away from her people, away from the only life she has ever known," the grandfather stated slowly, meditatively. He nodded to himself. His blank eyes looked past Wachiwi and William F. Cody.
Cody nodded, explaining his proposition in further detail. He wanted to showcase the Lakota traditions and Wachiwi's talent to the world. Her performance would bring knowledge to many people. Knowledge brought understanding. Cody talked for a long time. Grandfather nodded with each point.
"Many I take Wachiwi with me?" Buffalo Bill finally asked.
Wachiwi waited expectantly. She agreed with everything Cody said. It brought her pleasure to think that people would know about the Lakota tribe and understand their traditions. She longed to ride around a ring surrounded by appreciative people. The cheering crowds stimulated her.
Grandfather continued to sit. His eyes glazed. Wachiwi grew anxious. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. Sounds came from Grandfather's throat. He hummed, then fell into a trance. Wachiwi realized the old man was communing with their ancestors. Next to her, Cody shifted his feet. Finally, her elder's eyes shifted. She relaxed.
"The answer is no," Grandfather stated flatly.
"No?" Wachiwi questioned, her body sinking. She should have expected a negative response. Still, her heart had hoped.
"No." Grandfather repeated. He waved his hands at her dismissively.
"Wait outside," Buffalo Bill instructed.
Wachiwi stepped out. In the elder's teepee, no one gave orders except Grandfather, yet the white man did. She waited, listening to the voices murmur. Finally, Cody stepped out. The old man followed him.
"Show us," Grandfather instructed, indicating the waiting horse.
The Lakota gathered on the prairie. Wachiwi ran beside the wild horse and swung onto his back. She completed her entire performance of backflips, cartwheels, and handstands. When she halted in front of them, Cody clapped vigorously. Grandfather remained silent. He nodded to himself.
During the evening hours, the elders gathered in Grandfather's teepee. They chanted and talked late into the night. Wachiwi couldn't sleep. She rolled in her buffalo hides, full of worry. For three long days, Grandfather consulted with the elders. Wachiwi waited. They called Cody in to speak with him. Another day passed.
Wachiwi performed again and again. The week slid away. Cody remained as a guest of the tribe. Finally, Grandfather called her into their counsel. She explained her desire to bring their native traditions to the people. She wanted to show her skill on horseback; she would make her people proud. The old men nodded in silence. The motion did not indicate their approval or disapproval.
"Is this what you want, child?" Grandfather finally asked.
"Yes, Grandfather," Wachiwi answered, hoping to emphasize her desire.
"You would leave your people? You would go to live among the white people?" he asked her.
"If it brings understanding of our traditions to the white man, I will go," she stated sincerely.
"You will not forget your heritage or your duty to the Lakota people?" grandfather asked.
"I will not."
Grandfather sat back. Once again, silence surrounded them. The old men sat on buffalo hide blankets. They bent their heads and conferred again. Wachiwi didn't think she could take much more. She almost decided to call the whole thing off.
"You may go," Grandfather stated softly. Wachiwi almost didn't hear him correctly. The news slowly dawned upon her. Without concealing her excitement, she embraced the old man.
Wachiwi mounted her horse the following day. Buffalo Bill led her away from her people into a new life. Although she lived and traveled with the white men, she kept her Lakota traditions alive. The thrill of performing on horseback never left her. She remained as one with the prairie, and the prairie never left her.

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