The Order of the Arrow (OA) was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. It became an official program experiment in 1922 and was approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934. You can find more detailed history HERE.
Mikanakawa Lodge # 101 (a.k.a. Miki) is the Circle Ten Council's Order of the Arrow Lodge founded in 1937 at Camp Wisdom. Our lodge name means, "I go to prepare a trail for you." The lodge has two totems - the owl and the thunderbird.
The national Order of the Arrow is organized into two geographical regions. Mikanakawa Lodge is located in the Gateway Region. The Gateway Region is divided into sections. Mikanakawa Lodge is located in Gateway Region Section 3 (G3). G3 has nine lodges across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The lodge is divided up into 4 areas and 18 chapters that match the different districts that make up the council.
Order of the Arrow members are able to participate in exclusive lodge, section, regional and national events and special high adventure treks. The OA has something for everyone. For more information, contact your chapter leadership.
The Ah-Shu-Ko Chapter is the OA chapter for the Western Horizon District which is part of the Southwest Area.
Ah-Shu-Ko is a Crow word that literally translates into “west side of the lodge” or "a place of honor”.
What it actually refers to is that in most plains Indian cultures, the large tipi that’s used for ceremonies, meetings, gatherings, etc., is referred to as “the Lodge”. As is custom for most plains Indians, the tipi is always setup with the door facing east. Directly across from this entrance (in the west) is the “Place of Honor”. Ah-Shu-Ko refers to this location, the place of honor, the back of the tipi, the west side of “the lodge”.
The Western Horizon District encompasses 3 cities in North Texas – Coppell, Irving & Grand Prairie. Since our chapter / district makes up most of the west side of Mikanakawa Lodge / Circle Ten Council, this name is perfect in regards to our geographical location.
As it is also the “Place of Honor”, seats in the “west side of the lodge” are often given up by the tribe dignitaries and offered to honored guests. In this way, the “west side of the lodge” is also a place that displays brotherhood to others, and is therefore fitting for a chapter name in the Order of the Arrow.
We have a monthly chapter meeting at 7:00 pm for all Ah-Shu-Ko Chapter members on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at First Methodist Church in Irving. The address is 211 W 3rd St, Irving, TX 75060. Click HERE for a map.
The Chapter Chief, Vice-Chiefs, Chapter Adviser, Associate Advisers & OA Unit Representatives / Advisers should all plan to attend the monthly meetings. ALL Arrowmen are invited and welcome to attend.
See the Calendar on this web site for links to other events (e.g., Ordeal / Brotherhood weekends, Lodge Dinner, Spring Fellowship, Vigil Weekend, Fall Fellowship, LEC, etc.); this will require logging in to this website.
The purpose of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America’s National Honor Society, is to:
- Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and through that recognition, cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
- Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
- Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
- Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.