Boy Scouts and Scout leaders who participate in the Pony Express Council’s tribe of Mic-O-Say, an honor society, met their newest chieftain last weekend.
Saturday night’s gathering was an annual affair where Scouts who have completed projects and other requirements can be promoted to higher ranks within the honor society.
“I certainly didn’t know this would happen,” said Ken Siemans, a local attorney and the newest chieftain in the tribe. “The Chieftans were always larger than life to me. And I have a lot of memories concerning my grandfather, father and Camp Geiger.”
Mr. Siemans’ grandfather, Eric Siemans, became the first chieftain in 1949 and his father, Robert Siemans, became a chieftain in 1980.
“This is the first time we have had three chiefs from the same family,” said Clark Hampton, another chieftain and longtime Scout supporter.
The council elects one new chieftain every year, said Ken Baker, the presiding chieftain who handles all the ceremonial duties. Today, there are 25 living members, of whom about 20 are active, said Mr. Baker, who is an agent for American Family Insurance.
About 380 people were on hand for Saturday’s powwow at Camp Geiger.
Alan Franks, the local Scout program’s new executive, will be studying the tribe’s history and current activities this summer in preparation for a ceremony at the end of the camping season. The tribe will gather in August for a powwow and ceremonies that will make Mr. Franks chief of the Mic-O-Say tribe.
Marshall White can be reached
at marshall@npgco.com.
Correction: Also, a reporter and photographer misspelled Ken Siemens’ name in a story and photo caption about Mr. Siemens’ installation as new chieftain of the Pony Express Council’s tribe of Mic-O-Say.