Sugarfoot Princess

The Sugarfoot Princess

By LaShawn Baker

Have you ever felt the need to have a great adventure? To take a journey to leave everyday normal life? To experience something so unreal that it can only be a dream? Kiaha the Sugarfoot princess had such an adventure.

Kiaha is nine years old and she lives a different life. She processes the confidence of her father, an African American and the wisdom of her mother, a beautiful Native American princess.

Sugarfoot has the honor of being a part of two very distinctive and very strong worlds. Her mother is the daughter of the Absentee Shawnee War Chief Littlecharlie. Her father Shaun is a descendant of Kicks Baker who traveled the great sea on a slave ship.

One day after a long day at school, Sugarfoot decided she needed a great adventure. She asked her mother to help her pray to the Great-mother spirit for wisdom and direction. She then prayed asking her fathers GOD for protection on this big adventure. Little did she know her prayer would be answered.

That night Sugarfoot dreamed of a bear in the sky, an eagle sitting on a cloud, and a peacock sitting amongst the flowers by a stream. When she awakened she could not wait to tell her mom and grandparents of her dream.

Running as fast as her little legs could carry her she flew from her room. Sliding past her dog Cowboy waving and singing out good morning to her grandparents. She entered the dining room slipping and sliding all the way to her mother, setting the table for breakfast.

Her mom saw her impending dome and crashing into the china cabinet. She quickly intercepted her, breaking her fall by grabbing her around the waist and stopping her slide. Sugarfoot's excitement was all over her face and with a high pitched squeal she wrapped her arms around her mom’s neck and legs around her waist.

“Mommy!

Yes Sugarfoot, what in the world are you so excited about?

Mommy!” I dreamed of a black bear, a great eagle, and a beautiful peacock.

Her mom listened to Sugarfoot’s dream; upon her completion, her mom took it as a sign from the great Mother-spirit for Sugarfoot to learn about her tribal traditions. Caressing her daughter’s cheek and looking into eyes much like her own, her smile matched her daughter’s excitement.

Her mom pointed to the empty chair at the breakfast table, please take a seat and get ready to eat.

Obeying her mother she sat down with her mom and grandparents enjoying all her favorite dishes.

After breakfast her mom presented her with a gift. The brightly wrapped box made a jingling sound when she shook it. Looking at her mom Sugarfoot’s eyes shined with anticipation, her giggles brought a smile to her mom’s face.

Sugarfoot was anything but careful when she unwrapped the box. The multi-colored wrapping went flying like confetti in the air. Nestled in colorful tissues she found her very first ceremonial stomp cans. Her mother and grandfather wanted to teach her their tribal stomp dance..

Sugarfoot practiced as much as her mom would allow. Her grandfather and grandmother taught her the importance of the ritual dances and how it honored the Great Mother Spirit.

Sugarfoot loved the music her cans made when she danced. Taking a step and then another, she followed her mother’s footsteps and learned to dance.

One evening when the sun was setting and the moon was rising, Sugarfoot danced and with each step she felt her body become a part of the earth, her lyrical chants became one with the wind, caressing the treetops, meeting the clouds touching the Great Mothers Ears.

The Great mother granted her a journey beyond the clouds.To her surprise she was greeted by her ancestors Her grandfather's mother gave her a hug and guided her footsteps. Sugarfoot skipped across the clouds, she giggled because each cloud was tickling her bare toes, she giggled and twirled with glee.

Behind a large vail she met the Great Mother. The Great Mother embraced her gently, Sugarfoot. your dancing pleases me greatly, so I decided to grant you the strength of the black bear so you will never give up and always protect your family. You will always try your very best to succeed.

The wisdom of the majestic eagle so you can always make the right choices and use wisdom. The beauty of a peacock so you will bring beauty to every life you touch. Sugarfoot felt light as a feather when she returned from the clouds, for the rest of the night she slept peacefully, under the warmth of the air and the brightness of the full moon.

Her mother, seeing this, picked her up and placed her in her bed. She removed the stomp cans and her shoes before tucking her in. She gently placed a kiss on her forehead, and whispered goodnight.

That night Sugarfoot dreams were of a great ship; it wasn’t like the ones of today made of steel, and stacks releasing steam. This ship was made of wood and sails that colored the sky. Below the deck were rows and stacks of beds built in the out shell.

The wooden ship seemed to stretch out for miles, across the South Atlantic Ocean traveling from Africa to America. In her dream she stood with an ancestor and they showed her the cargo hole of the ship. Her eyes filled with tears at the site of the men, women, and children with different hues of brown and black skin.

In her dream Sugerfoot, walked among the sadden face of the people that looked like her father, and grandmother. A tear dropped from her eyes as there was no way they could see the life rays of the sun. their hands and feet were bound by heavy chains. ar

When she awakened her heart was sad and the dream troubled her and she felt she needed to ask her father.

On the next day, when her dad came to pick her up, Sugarfoot ran as fast as she could, “ Daddy… daddy, I have so much to tell you. Capturing her in his hands he swooped her up in a big bear hug, kissing her cheeks and spinning her around proclaiming “Sugarfoot!”

After confessions of love and a great many hugs and kisses her father took her hand and they walked along the trail shrouded in the cover of trees. “Daddy?” her voice was soft as she looked lovingly into her dad's face. I had a dream of a bear, an eagle, and a peacock. I also dreamt of a great ship crossing the biggest sea from the coast of Africa to the shores of America. The ships were filled with people who looked like you, and granny hidden away from the light of the sun.

Her daddy took her small hand and told her… The reason why you see two worlds is because you were born into two very strong worlds.

You are as strong as a bear because you never give up and you will always have peace. You can see as far as the eagle because you see the love in everyone, and you can run like the deer because you have wisdom that will protect you to make good decisions.

The ship you saw was one of my history. My ancestors rode a great ship from Africa to America a very long time ago.The men, women, and children you saw were part of my history.

Sugarfoot’s eyes looked sad, and she hung her head. Her dad tilted her head up to look in his eyes and said, “Sugarfoot, never be ashamed, or sadden because of the history we share.

You are a part of greatness, and my dear you are the best part of two worlds; both your mom and I have a history that has struggled against oppression and loss of their freedoms.”I want you to embrace your journey and find strength to fight and never give up. YOU are the future.

Her dad hugged her lifting her over his head placing her on his shoulders Sugarfoot giggled as he explained to her the importance of her cultures.

Sugarfoot you are a Native African American princess, and African American. You are the best of us both, the best of both worlds. You are our jewel, fearless, courageous, we love you greatly. You should never feel like you are one or the other for you are both. As your parents we may not always agree on everything but we do agree on that there isn’t anything you can’t do Sugarfoot. You are the eagle because you are honest, beautiful, and free of heart and mind. You are the deer because you are graceful, cunning and free. You are the bear because you are strong and fearless. You are our African-Native Princess.

The end