The Native Sons and Daughters Programs® are the carrying on of an Indian-theme parent-child program that was started many years ago, from an idea borne out of a hunting trip taken in the early 1920’s by Harold S. Keltner, then a St.Louis YMCA Director. On this hunting trip, Keltner's guide and friend, Joe Friday, an Ojibway Indian, remarked that it is the Indian father who raises his son, while the white man relinquishes this to the mother. Inspired by this campfire discussion, Keltner and Friday initiated the first tribe in 1926. The Native Sons and Daughters Programs®, independently founded in 2002, continues that tradition that began so many years ago. The Keltner and Friday families officially support the Native Sons and Daughters Programs®.
Program Motto
The motto of Native Sons & Daughters Programs is… “Pals Forever-Friends Always”
The motto of “Pals Forever-Friends Always™” carries with it a deep and special meaning. The motto captures the spirit of the special bond that parent and child will develop through their participation in Native Sons and Daughters Programs®. Special program activities are unique in ways that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Parent and child participate in them together, molding and shaping their relationship, learning about each other, learning from each other, building mutual respect, friendship and trust in one another. By traveling the special paths of Native Sons & Daughters Programs® together, parent and child build memories that will last two lifetimes and become one as “Pals Forever-Friends Always™”.
The Six Aims
The Six Aims are exactly what the title is saying. They are a statement of Aims or goals hoped to be achieved by each parent and child. These Aims are deeply rooted in the Ojibway Indian culture, the culture of Joseph “Ahtik” Friday, co-founder of the original program. It is hoped that these Aims become ingrained into memory, to be a guide as you walk the trail of life. All members are encouraged to learn the Six Aims. The representative color for each of the Aims is also presented.
The Six Aims are:
1. To be clean in body and pure in heart.
2. To always be friends with my dad/mom/son/daughter.
3. To love the sacred circle of my family.
4. To be attentive while others speak.
5. To love my neighbor as myself.
6. To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirit's work in forest, field, and stream.
Program Motto
The motto of Native Sons & Daughters Programs is… “Pals Forever-Friends Always”
The motto of “Pals Forever-Friends Always™” carries with it a deep and special meaning. The motto captures the spirit of the special bond that parent and child will develop through their participation in Native Sons and Daughters Programs®. Special program activities are unique in ways that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Parent and child participate in them together, molding and shaping their relationship, learning about each other, learning from each other, building mutual respect, friendship and trust in one another. By traveling the special paths of Native Sons & Daughters Programs® together, parent and child build memories that will last two lifetimes and become one as “Pals Forever-Friends Always™”.
The Six Aims
The Six Aims are exactly what the title is saying. They are a statement of Aims or goals hoped to be achieved by each parent and child. These Aims are deeply rooted in the Ojibway Indian culture, the culture of Joseph “Ahtik” Friday, co-founder of the original program. It is hoped that these Aims become ingrained into memory, to be a guide as you walk the trail of life. All members are encouraged to learn the Six Aims. The representative color for each of the Aims is also presented.
The Six Aims are:
1. To be clean in body and pure in heart.
2. To always be friends with my dad/mom/son/daughter.
3. To love the sacred circle of my family.
4. To be attentive while others speak.
5. To love my neighbor as myself.
6. To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirit's work in forest, field, and stream.