H O M E

Katie sifting for fossil shark teeth
on the Peace River

Maurice and Julia at Circle F

Cathy, Megan, and Krista
at Billie Swamp Safari

HOPI March 2001 Peace River Expedition: Back Row: Gary, Scott, Janice, Joe, Dianne, Juan, Jon, Ted; Middle Roll: Desiree, Katie, Krista, Cathy, Michael, Grace, Alex, Steve; Front Row: Jamilea, Julia, Meagan, Gina, Zach.

The Hopi Tribe was founded in 1998. Our daughters range in age from 5 to 11. We typically have about 8-12 participating families. This keeps the group small enough to meet in our homes. We participate in North Broward nation events, and have a variety of tribal events ranging from canoe trips to juggling classes.

The main focus of our Tribe is to provide opportunities for fathers and daughters to "form bonds that last a lifetime" -- through regular group activities with the tribe, father and daughter projects, adventurous outings, and opportunities to share these experiences with the rest of the family.

Our logo is the Hopi Thunderbird, and our motto, also borrowed from the Hopi Tribe and Bobby McFerrin is "Don't Worry, be Hopi."

Each daughter chooses an indian name for herself and for her father. Her name is announced to the Nation at the first major campout she attends. She also receives a tribal necklace and a tribal arrow. Each event or activity becomes another bead on the necklace. Father and daughter decorate and personalize the dauther's arrow, which she brings to our tribal home meetings. Nation events often include a patch, which can be added to a tribal vest.

The HOPI TRIBE was formed in 1998. Our first meeting was at the North Broward YMCA during a torrential downpour before the approach of Hurricane Georges. Steve Spanoudis was elected our chief as he was the only one who brought a pencil to the meeting to take notes.

Our name was chosen by Meagan Cihak, who researched the Hopi Indians. We also decided that it was an easy name for our then 5-year-old daughters to remember.

Our first campout was actually a camp-in on the ground floor of condominiums under construction on the Beach in Dania. Participating were Joe Gautieri with Gina, Joe Ariola with Nikki and Brittany, and Steve Spanoudis with Cathy and Nick.

Our first Nation Event was the 1998 Peace River Camp-out and Canoe Expedition. Participaring were Wes Horne and Samantha, Peter Washio with Sarah, Bill Boznos with Nickie, Joe and Valerie Gautieri with Gina, Scott and Janice Cihak with Meagan and Zach. This was immediately after Tropical Storm Mitch, so the Peace River was nearly at flood stage. Scott Cihak began the first in a series of famous canoe spills, unfortunately including his wife Janice and Meagan and Zach. On later outings he learned how to fall into the water without dumping everyone else out of the canoe. This was also the campout where Joe introduced Monsterburgers. Joe later refined the cooking process to include setting the grill and it's surroundings on fire.

• 1998-2000 Steve Spanoudis - Chief Big Mouth
• 2000-2001 Ted Diehl - Chief Steady Bear
• 2001-2002 Scott Cihak - Chief Soaring Eagle
• 2002-2003 Rich DeFinis - Chief Hoo-Ha
• 2003-2004 Gary VanHemel - Chief Big Fish