Member Monday: Blaine Purcell

As we continue to celebrate American Indian Heritage Month we would like to recognize one of our members who graciously shares his heritage and background with us. Blaine Purcell, a steward at Prairie Farms Dairy and a member of the UFCW Local 227 Executive Board, has a rich Native American Heritage. With strong ties to the Cherokee, Creek and Mohican Tribes on both his mother and fathers sides of the family with 3 of his 4 grandparents being predominantly Indian. Blaine is enrolled in the Eastern Creek Indian Tribe.

5 generations of Native American Heritage

Blaine enjoys participating in the Green Corn Harvest (Busk) that happens in Florida every year which is a celebration for the first fruits of the harvest, representing new beginnings. During the 3 day fast the members participating drink a mixture of willow bark and herbs called the black drink to cleanse the body. Some participants also go through a tradition called scratching. This is done by scraping the teeth of a gar fish down the shoulders, back and calves. The tradition is done to show the tribal members willingness to bleed for the tribe.

At the end of the 3rd day there is a traditional ceremony called the Stomp Dance done before the men return to their home tribe to enjoy a meal prepared by the female tribe members. The feast consists of many native foods including a 15 bean soup and Indian corn bread. There is also a rousing game of stickball played on the last day that can get pretty intense.

Stickball start

Stickball action shot

Blaine also enjoys going to Cherokee Pow Wows hosted closer to home in Kentucky and Tennessee. At the Cherokee Pow Wow, you get to experience authentic Native American dancing, drumming and tribal regalia. Dance competitions kick the excitement up even higher. When strong personal, familial and spiritual traditions are paired with a healthy dose of competition, it's a festival of drum, song and dance. Craft vendors come from across the country.