Tankiteke Lodge #313

History of the Lodge

When Fairfield County Council was formed in July 1972, members from the three former Lodges Mauwehu 389, Chief Pomperaug 408, and Ponus 521 formed a tri-lodge steering committee. Members of the committee were:

From Mauwehu Lodge: Clyde Ikeda (Lodge Chief), James Wardwell (Area 1-E Vice Chief), and Mr. Vince Frascino (Lodge Advisor)

From Chief Pomperaug Lodge: Stephen Lockwood (Lodge Chief), Arne Garde, and Gene Smith (Lodge Advisor)

From Ponus Lodge: Kent Siladi (Lodge Chief), Scott Miles (Lodge Secretary), Dave Kennedy (Area 1-E Secretary), and Bjarne Karlsen (Lodge Advisor).

At their first meeting on September 22, 1972, the basic structure of the lodge was discussed and another meeting was scheduled for October 15. A total of five meetings were held and in December of 1972, the first tri-lodge dinner was held. Lodge name, officers, and rules were voted on and approved. In the subsequent months five chapters were formed: Owenoke (Stamford District), Pequot (Nutmeg District), Saganaw (Sachem and Oronoque Districts), and Scatacook (Scatacook District).

In 1973 and 1975, Tankiteke had the largest contingents at NOAC from Section 1-E. Also in 1975, Frank Matusda, former Tankiteke officer, was elected the first Section Conclave Chief of the new Section 1-E which was formed at the NOAC in California. By 1976, the Lodge had inducted nine hundred new members and was still growing. Several years later Jody Stanko, Lodge Chief 1978-79, was the first Arrowman from Tankiteke elected Section 1-E Chief 1979-80. This event occurred during the 1979 Conclave which was hosted by Tankiteke Lodge at Camp Aquila.

In 1980, chapters realigned and five became four. Part of Sasqua and Owenoke Chapters merged into Powahay Chapter and some of the other chapters changed by adding or dropping towns.

Years passed and our lodge suffered from growing pains. What were once large and active dance teams slowly faded away. Lodge participation also faded away. All efforts to reverse the trend failed.

In 1982, the tenth anniversary of Tankiteke, a push was made to rebuild the Lodge by stimulating Lodge spirit, and having a large contingent at the 1983 NOAC. In 1985 the Lodge hosted its second Conclave at Camp Aquila. Later in 1985, the Lodge lost its dear home, Camp Aquila, which was sold to a private interest. The Ordeal in September of 1985 was the last event held at our summer camp. In May of 1986, the Lodge base of operations was moved from Aquila to Camp Pomperaug. Since then, Tankiteke has given outstanding service to its new home with labor totaling over 15,000 man-hours per year. Still, Tankiteke pushed forward. The Lodge sent the largest contingent in the Section to the 1986 NOAC, and again in 1987 to the first Region NLS which was hosted at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

During the years of 1985-1987, an unusual event happened when brothers Dave and Mark Turechek were elected Lodge Chief for consecutive terms. Equally unusual was the occurrence of a two-term Lodge Chief from 1987-1989. Eric Zaretsky was re-elected as the first multi-term Chief in our history. Additionally in 1986, Tankiteke lost a long time friend and one of its greatest members when Al Parady passed on after a long illness.

During the winter of 1988, the Northeast Region announced a change in Areas and Sections. Tankiteke and Achewon Netopalis in Greenwich were relocated to Area 3 from Area 1, and assigned to Section 3A. Section NE-3A contained all of New York City, Long Island, Northern New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The passing of NE-1E was not mourned by Tankiteke, but was looked upon as a new beginning with NE-3A. Later, Paugassett Lodge from Connecticut was added to the Section. At the final Conclave of Section NE-1E at J.N. Webster Scout Reservation past Tankiteke's 1985-1986 Lodge Chief, Dave Turechek, was elected Section Chief of NE-1E/NE-3A for 1988-1989.

In 1989, Lester McGuire, III was elected as Lodge Chief making him the first Tankiteke Chief from New York. During this year, the first and only two Founder's Awards to date were awarded to Mr. James Wardwell and Tom Adams. The first NE-3A Conclave was held at Schiff Scout Reservation on Long Island. Tankiteke supported the 2nd largest contingent and surpassed all others in brotherhood and spirit.

1991 was a challenging year for Tankiteke when it was to host its first Section Conclave with NE-3A. The Lodge came together well and the Conclave was a great success. Patrick Sullivan, Tankiteke's Lodge Chief 1990-1991, was elected to fill the open position of Section Chief.

1992 saw Tankiteke celebration its 20th anniversary. During the year, Andy Buchsbaum was elected as Lodge Chief. At the 1992 NOAC Tankiteke's Ceremony Team competed for the first time in the Ceremonial Competition. The Lodge returned with five National Champion Ceremonialists: Andy Buchsbaum, J.C. Cinelli, Shawn Domeracki, Patrick Sullivan, and Martin Magnusson. Patrick Sullivan was re-elected as Section Chief during the year, setting an unprecedented 5th term of Tankiteke leadership in the Section.

1993 saw J.C. Cinelli elected as Lodge Chief. Tankiteke was well represented at that year's National Jamboree as shown by the large number of members present at the Jamboree's Order of the Arrow Rendezvous. Later on that year, Tankiteke attended the 1993 Section NE-3A Conclave. Again, Patrick Sullivan was asked by the Council of Chiefs to serve a 3rd term as Section Chief.

In June of 1994, Tankiteke members had the chance to attend the 1994 NOAC, held at Purdue University in Indiana. Also at the 1994 NOAC, the Sections were once again realigned. Tankiteke moved from NE-3A to NE-2A joining Lodges from the Hudson Valley Region of New York, and the lower portion of Connecticut. The Lodge was sad to leave its old Section with whom many years of prosperity had been enjoyed, but looked toward its new Section as a chance to renew its efforts in serving the community. Tankiteke attended the 1994 NE-3A Conclave at the Ernest Seton Scout Reservation in Greenwich, CT. Also in 1994, Scott Huyette was elected as Tankiteke's Lodge Chief while Eric Zaretsky took the reigns as Tankiteke's new Lodge Advisor. This proved to be an unprecedented event as Eric had also been the Lodge Chief for Tankiteke. Tankiteke was looking forward to 1995 as it was "A Year of Service" during which special attention would be made to serving the communities of the Lodge.

In the 1995-1996 year, Bruce Malloy was elected Lodge Chief. At the 1995 Section NE-2A Conclave at Camp Ranachqua, the Tankiteke Ceremonies Team took first place at the Ceremonial Competition. After the Conclave, it was announced that Sections NE-2A and NE-2C would be combined. This brought Tankiteke back to the Lodges from New York City, which it had prospered with for so many years. In the middle of Bruce's term, Tankiteke saw another change in leadership at the adult level. Patrick Sullivan stepped up and became the new Lodge Advisor. At the 1996 NOAC at Indiana University, the Tankiteke Ceremonies Team again upheld its long tradition returning home with four new National Honor Medalists, the highest mark Ceremonial Teams can achieve. The team included Bill Chin, Adam Fromm, Brian Grafton, and Donald Grafton. Patrick Sullivan was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award for his service on the Section and Region levels. Tankiteke was the talk of the Conference as brothers from all over the country were extremely overwhelmed by our huge spirit.

1997 marked Tankiteke's 25th anniversary. The 1996-1997 year was a successful one. Adam Fromm was elected Lodge Chief. Work parties and Ordeals focused on improving Camp Pomperaug for the 1999 Section Conclave that the Lodge will host. Tankiteke's spirit was once again seen by the country at the 1997 National Jamboree. Over one hundred members attended the Order of the Arrow Rendezvous where they led in brotherhood and spirit.

The 1997-1998 year will pick up where 1996 left off. We are striving for...The Lodge hopes to send the largest Lodge contingent to the 1998 NOAC that will be held at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
 

Another Version of the History of the Lodge

The formation of Tankiteke Lodge, 313, Order of the Arrow started in July of 1972 with the merger of Alfred W. Dater, Mawehu and Pomperaug Councils and their respective lodges (Ponus, 521; Mawehu, 389; and Chief Pomperaug, 521.) In December of that year, a tri-lodge dinner was held. The O. A. members from the three former lodges met and chose Tankiteke as the name for the newly formed lodge. The name, meaning "those of slight stature" was chosen to pay honor to a local tribe. Read the tribal history.

Officers were elected and by-laws approved at the dinnera while five chapters were formed: Owenoke (Stamford district); Pequot (Nutmeg District); Saganaw (Sachem and Oronoque districts) Sasqua (Sasqua district) and Scatacook (Scatacook district).

In the early years of the lodge, a fine dance team from the Owenoke chapter performed for other lodges and appeared on local television. The group of 45 dancers won competitions at several conclaves. Their performances consisted of the hoop, buffalo, devil, eagle, tomahawk, duck and flaming hoop dances.

The lodge boasts several past section chiefs and vice chiefs and a past region chief. Tankiteke has been very active in section, region and national events and regularly sends large contingents to the biannual National Order of the Arrow Conferences. The lodge also spends a significant amount of time supporting the council's camping program by publishing a "Where to go Camping" book and by holding ordeals and work parties at the council's non-summer camp, Camp Pomperaug.

In 1980, Sasqua and Owenoke chapters were merged into the Powahay chapter. The lodge currently numbers over 400 active members and holds three ordeals a year. The twenty-fifth anniversary fellowship is scheduled for this September.

The Tankiteke Tribe of Indians Native Americans hunted and fished in the lands that are now southern Connecticut's Fairfield County and New York's Westchester County. The name Tankiteke is translated as "those of slight stature" by the natives and referred to their position in the council of chiefs, not their height. They spoke a dialect known as Munsi which was related to Mahican. The Tankitekes were a part of the last wandering Algonkian group called the Lenni Lenape (or Delawares). The Lenape was the "Grandfather" tribe of the various smaller groups that lived from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. The Mahicans were the sub group of which the Tankitekes were a part.

The steady influx of Dutch settlers into the area during the mid 1600's resulted in the 1643 Kieft's War. Pacham, a Tankiteke Chief was responsible for stirring up the tribes against the Dutch. Finally, a peace was concluded by Mahican Chief Eskuyas and the enraged Chief Pacham was given over to the Dutch. In 1655, Ponus, a Tankiteke chief, sold Rippowam (now Stamford) to Norwalk settlers. Later, over a period from 1680-1740, Chief Catoonah sold other sections of Stamford, New Canaan, Ridgefield and the oblong (Vista, New York) to white settlers. Small pox and the white intrusion slowly did away with the proud Tankiteke tribe and by the time of the American Revolution they were gone.