This is the story of a teenage girl who has been chosen by Power to become a Witch. She will attend a private school of Wizardry. The name of the school is WANA GI YATA, which is Lakota for Spirit Land. The school was established in the time of the Anasazi, by Medicine Men of the plains Indians, the Aztec's and the Mayan. When the Europeans came to the America's they brought their witchcraft with them. They were not afforded the religeous freedoms that mainstream religions received. Their persecution forced them underground. This led them to join the native American Medicine Men, and become a part of the system for passing on their craft to the next generation.
Jim was born in Roswell N.M. which makes him strange already. He has a different view of things more than most people. He was bewitched some 32 years ago by his wife and has been creating this book all along. He is a Registered Professional Land Surveyor , reads voraciously, talks a tall tale when he is in the mood and brings up subjects to get you going hmmmmmm. He hopes Wana Gi Yata will get you going hmmmmmm too.
The principle stood up and the lights in the four smaller caves dimmed and a spot light illuminated the principle. As the gathering became hushed the principle began to speak.
“Welcome to another school year, here at Wanagiyata. For those of you who are new, I am Principle Mack. And this is my staff.” Waving his hand over the tables behind him. As he waved each creature transformed into a teacher. “We have 16 freshman this year. I believe that is the largest class to attend Wanagiyata in the last 300 years. So lets all welcome them.” Applause echoed off the cave walls. “ We have 5 seniors graduating this year. I sincerely hope this will be the most memorable for them. And speaking of memorable let me take this opportunity to introduce a young freshman that you have been hearing rumors about. Nancy - - Please, stand up!
Nancy turned three shades of red. She had never been singled out before. She stood with her head down, afraid to look at the principle. She could not believe he had done this to her. She felt like crawling under a rock! Gosh! This was embarrassing! The entire school was looking at her!
“Nancy is the young lady who attended Andrea during her last hours. It is so rare for a TuWeni to help a witch. I’m not sure anyone here has ever heard of such a thing. You have certainly caught our attention. Let me take this opportunity to personally welcome you. I want every one to do their best to help Nancy adjust to her new surroundings. Every thing that we do here will be a learning experience for young Nancy. She was born and raised TuWeni. So every thing that we do, and most of what we say will be new to her. It will take patients on our part, so please, be patient! This will be an opportunity for all of us see into the life of a Tuweni and they’re thought processes. Each of us has grown up with prejudice, we know what its like to be hated just for being who we are. Nancy has not experienced this. She WAS TuWeni, she is white, but she is a girl though. Being a girl in Texas she has learned that boys get preferential treatment. But this is her first
time in a school as diverse as this. Very few schools in Texas mix Indian and Colored children with white children. So Nancy, if you run into any troubles, or have any questions please, come see me. My door is always open. That’s true for everyone. Now to school business! This year we have a couple of new teacher’s. Ms. Cindy Brown with the Wicken Seminary will be teaching spells and potions. Mr. Louis Cartwright of the Voodoo Seminary will be teaching Transformations.”
“This year we will be visiting several Anasazi sites, Mayan and Aztec ruins in Central and South America, the mounds in the Mississippi Valley, Shaman winter rituals in the Canadian Northwest, a Voodoo gathering in New Orleans, and a trip to Salem Massachusetts, for an informative visit with some direct descendents of the Original Salem Coven,” he continued. “You will read first hand accounts of the famous Witch trials. And learn who was and who was not a witch.” Then smiling he said “Remember, you will get out of your classes only as much as you put into your classes! So without further ado, I will turn this over to Sica Zitkala, this years Student Council President!”