Mic-o-say Boy Scout Group

MIC-O-SAY was developed by the legendary Scout Executive, H. Roe Bartle. He was a Scoutmaster in 1922 and later Scout Executive of the Central Wyoming Council with headquarters in Casper, WY. While Scout Executive in Wyoming, Bartle was in charge of Camp Carey, he started the Tribe of Micosay (the hyphens were added later). Bartle was friends with local Native Americans. An Arapahoe Chief, (Lone Bear) became interested in Scouting and started troops. Bartle and Lone Bear became best friends. Bartle communicated not only with Lone Bear, an Arapahoe, but also with representatives from the local Shoshone and Lakota tribes. When Bartle left Wyoming he was honored by Chief Lone Bear to become a full fledged Chief in the Arapahoe Tribe. Micosay has a rich-authentic Native American tradition.

The name Micosay is interpreted as meaning; “being deep and abiding friendship with warmth of heart to reach down and lift up those who are younger and weaker”. In later years MicoSay has been shortened to mean “Friendship and Warmth”, but the theme of helping others is still stressed.

In 1925 Bartle became Scout Executive of the St. Joseph, MO. Council, Camp Brinton. St Joseph had an earlier group named Manhawka. Bartle quickly incorporated his Native American themes in Manhawka. The new organization would be a Native American-like society based on the principals of the Scout Oath. It would become a brotherhood of leaders and leadership. At this time Micosay was interpreted as “Friendship and Leadership”. At Camp Brinton the positions of Brave, Warrior and Chieftain first appeared as well as the first MicoSay Chief, Chief Lone Bear.

Bartle became Scout Executive in Kansas City in 1929. He brought two Mic-O-Say Tribesmen with him as Scouting professionals. It was at this time that the hyphens were added to the name. Mic-O-Say was adopted at Camp Sayre. The area around Camp Sayre was becoming a tourist area with cottages. In 1930 a more remote and larger camp was founded on the Osage River near Osceola, MO. Camp Osceola became the Mic-o-Say Reservation. The Mic-o-Say history is well documented and preserved, but this should give you a feel for it’s founding.

In doing this research I am in awe of H. Roe Bartle. Some of our Scouting luminaries credentials aren’t so impressive upon careful investigation. Dr. James E West received a Honorary Doctorate from a small college and thereafter he was DR. West. E U Goodman received a similar Honorary Doctorate from a more obscure college and thereafter he was DR. Goodman. Bartle wasn’t a doctor, but he was the real deal in the Scouting world. He graduated college as an Attorney. Like many early scouting volunteers he planned to devote a few years to scouting and later pursue a law practice. But, he loved Scouting and never practiced Law. He had a gift for leadership and became a beloved scouting professional. He was a large gregarious man with a booming voice. A natural charismatic leader of boys and men. He was so popular that in 1955 he was elected, Mayor of Kansas City. Kansas City had been a notoriously corrupt city, run by the Democratic, Pendergast organization. Bartle ran as an independent and served two terms. When Lamar Hunt brought a NFL football team to Kansas City, (1963), it was named the Kansas City Chiefs. Not for a Native American figure, but for Chief Bartle. One of Bartle’s achievements that’s often overlooked is his incredible leadership ability for the Kansas City BSA Council. When he came to Kansas City the council had 2200 members. Twenty six years later when he retired the council had 30,000 members. The camp was paid for and the budget was balanced. Very few Scout Executives remain in a council for twenty six years and such oversee phenomenal growth.

Mic-O-Say is active in Pony Express and Heart of America Councils, but it’s influence extends to dozens of councils in the Great Middle West. I can’t find information on Mic-O-Say in Western, Colorado, but their OA Lodge (541) is Mic-O-Say.

The Mic-o-Say program is complex and partially shrouded in mystery. It’s been difficult to research and those I contacted didn’t want to break their vow of secrecy. They use totem poles which makes me think of the Nani Ba Zhu program. Their ceremonies are magnificent. One of the strengths of the program is that there are numerous things for the fledgling Mic-o-Say candidate to do. Lots of challenges and opportunities to keep members active. They often have 1000+ tribesmen at functions.

Mic-O-Say encourages both youth and adults to participate. Scouts enter as youth and are allowed to remain active for a lifetime. In some ways the adults seem to hold the organization together, although it’s certainly appealing to youth. Both youth and adults take the program very seriously. To an outsider, it almost seems like a men’s organization into which youth are inducted. “you’re a boy, you’re going to be a man, this is what men do, do this” (my quote). There is no question that it works. Members of the Tribe are called Tribesmen and many stay active for a lifetime.

I bought an badge accumulation from a Regional S E from Kansas City. He didn’t have any OA. He told me, out here everything is Mic-O-Say. He told of attending Regional Meetings with volunteers scouters of the highest echelon. Bank Presidents, Presidents of Utilities and large Corporations, corporate attorney and such. After the meeting, talk turned to Mic-O-Say and these Captains of Industry removed their ties and opening their shirts to reveal Mic-o-Say beads. He told me that Mic-O-Say wasn’t a organization, it was a religion. I asked a Mic-O-Say friend about that statement, he laughed and told me that some would say that was an exaggeration, but not all. Members love and believe in Mic-O-Say.

There are two ranks in Mic-O-Say: Braves and Warriors/Honored Women. The two divisions of Warriors are Hardway Warriors and Honorary Warriors. Hardway Warriors entered Mic-O-Say before age 18. Honorary Warriors and Honorary Women entered Mic-O-Say after their 18th birthday.

There are three categories of Paint responsibility. Working Paint for the Hardway Warriors, the Tribal Council and the Council of Chieftans. Working Paint for the Hardway Warriors and the order in which they are earned:

Fire Builder (Orange, 1st level Paint),		Tom-Tom Beater (Green, 2nd level Paint),
Runner (Blue, 3rd level paint),		Keeper of the Sacred Bundle (Yellow, 4th level paint),
	Shaman (Purple, 5th level Purple Paint),

Tribal Council-White Paint; One is first called as a Sachem, then Keeper of the Wampum, Sagamore and Medicine Man. They all wear white Paint. Sagamores and Medicine Men also serve on the She-She-Be Council. It is their policy to carry on and endorse the policies of the Council of Chieftans.
The Council of Chieftans is composed of Chiefs and Chieftans. They all wear red Paint and a necklace of 24 eagle claws. It is their duty to establish policies of Mic-O-Say. The Directing Chief directs the activities of Mic-O-Say and the Presiding Chieftans presides at Ceremonial and Chieftan meetings.

There is a wealth of printer material, most safeguarded and not for distribution. Although I bought the 1975 brown cover booklet on e-bay. I’ve decided not to share too much information. I am not a Tribesman, but as a scouter I feel somewhat honor bound not to reveal too much. What is shown has been approved by a Mc o Say Medicine Man and Chief.

Southern Iowa Council, Camp Walepelo, used a Mic-o-say type system. Instead of paint they had colored beads. This system was in place and used during the period when the Order of the Arrow was active in this council. This system was used through 1969 and perhaps later.

Southwest, Iowa council, Camp Eastman used a Mic-o-say type system. Like southern Iowa, they used colored beads. This system was in place and was used during a period when the Order of the Arrow was active in the council.

I’ve had difficulty locating the places where Mic-O-Say was active. OA Lodge 80 was chartered in 1935 yet Mic-O-Say replaced the OA, 1959 to 1964. Silver Tomahawk OA members wear Mic-O-Say type beads to this day. Bo-Qui-Lodge (453) used a program similar to Mic-O-Say. The information (above) is from Paul Lewis’s book, The History of the OA in Central and Southern, Iowa. I am checking with Silver Tomahawk members to see if they used the same or similar color scheme. Based on the popularity and strength of Mic-O-Say I suspect it influence camps/councils all over the Greater Central West. OA Lodge 100 in Cape Giraradeau, MO. Incorporates a bead program.

Paul Myers Goshen, Indiana
gimogash@comcast.net