TALIDANDAGANU' LODGE 293

In the fall of 1956, new interest in the Order of the Arrow caused local scouts to petition the National Council in New Jersey for another OA charter. The name "Tali-danda-ganu’" was proposed with an eagle in flight as the totem. In Cherokee, Talidandaganu’ roughly translates to "two looking at each other," referring to Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain, which face each other. This application was approved on February 4, 1957. Scout Ron Stulce then sent a letter on February 18, 1957, to all Scouts in the Council who met the requirements for membership, asking them to contact the Council office if they were interested.

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First Ordeal Ceremonies

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On June 28–29, 1957, twenty charter members of Talidandaganu’ Lodge were inducted at Camp Cherokee in an Ordeal ceremony performed by members of Pellissippi Lodge 230 from Knoxville. Our own lodge members conducted the second Ordeal ceremony at Camp Cherokee on November 8–9, 1957 with nine new members being inducted. Then on July 18-19, 1958, another 25 new members were inducted during the lodge’s third Ordeal ceremony. At this third Ordeal, work projects consisted of building a shed for gasoline storage, clearing brush, and preventing erosion in campsites.

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First Brotherhood Ceremonies

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The first Brotherhood ceremony was held in July of 1958, performed again by a team from Pellissippi Lodge of the Great Smoky Mountains Council. Eleven Talidandaganu’ members were inducted into the brotherhood at that time. The second Brotherhood ceremony was held on October 11, 1958, with eight more sealing their membership.

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First Vigil Ceremonies

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In 1963, the lodge’s first Vigil Honor ceremony was held to present Tommy Chamberlain and Ron Stulce with the Vigil Honor. Later that same year, the Vigil was presented to James T. Pierce.