Istrouma High School - Pow Wow Yearbook (Baton Rouge, LA)

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2 Table of Contents

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THE LEGEND OF NAWAGANTI In this land, many years ago, lived two tribes of proud and noble Indians, the Houma and the Bayou Goula. The Countryside, with its tall trees, was filled with wild animals, and provided the In- dians a perfect hunting ground. In a clearing near the Mississippi River, was a picturesque Indian Village, yet unnamed, but destined to become one of the most important landmarks in North America. The chiefs of these two tribes met to establish a boundary line between their hunting grounds. To mark this division of the two nations, they decided to erect a tall pole and paint it red. Thus ISSE TROUMA, mean- ing red stick marked the site of the Indian Campfires. As the years passed, Isse Trouma became known as lstrouma and was a landmark to all. So bountiful was the land that Indians from far and wide came to lstrouma to make a new home. The population became so great that lstrouma grew into a mighty Indian nation. Legend has it that a young brave named Nawaganti became chief of the new lstrouma Nation and ruled his people with austere dignity, stern justice, and fierce loyalty. The Indian nation loved their mighty leader and lived lives of contentment and adventure in their land of plenty. Then, suddenly one day, from out of the forest, came something that sent the Indians into tur- moil . . . white men, dressed in strange clothes. Nawaganti was alarmed, his people frightened. The white men, French explorers, liked lstrouma and wanted to bring more white men here to live. Nawaganti, realizing what the outcome would be, sent his people into a war dance to prepare for battle. Nawaganti, great warrior and chief, led his braves into battle against the white men. These men, who dared to take away everything from the lstrouma Indians, and to call the 'red stick Baton Rouge, KILLED NAWAGANTI. The Indians, then without a chief, began to turn back and return to their homes. Nawaganti dead! Nawaganti gone! His people grieved. Their great and noble chief was lost forever. Agony was in their hearts. Their souls were sick with remorse. Only the reddened pole remained to remind them of the hap- piness they once knew with Nawaganti. They remembered the peaceful days, the perfect life for the lstrouma Indians. Many days of mourning passed. The Indians began leaving their beloved lstrouma. Only one re- mained, Nawaganti, who fought and died for lstrouma. And, so the legend says, Nawaganti still walks the paths he once defended. A great school now stands in Nawaganti's land. And, 'tis said, when braves do battle and followers' hearts are true, Nawaganti rules as long ago, and lends his spirit, ever loyal, brave and true. f liiciimari, A SCHOOLS HGLQLIT OVEQI Hoi? Lugfzac QMOSJOEVZ IM LIFE. T116 QLIQQQSL5 Hnuutica Vout As it ceteftio eval! Twviqlt we em' mu EIQQH QTHEIQS Meicvefs ,A G14-?u4J17me?S, C0000 lfvtdk t,fufTl-I QMAQ VUQITIMCSS I-lMO F5Q0!?ElAL1,V Ypbtfd LIVE, lvl we ge Wet, sea was 0-mera fm THA? FMTUiQg lllfi1LIDEc2 LIQHTS O64 VEfi:UlTC?tEfZ y ?lMd'fCZ'Lly introduction 3