Ed Latko should be the “poster boy” for “too busy for Indian Princesses” – between his work schedule and his five children and their schedules, “taking on one more thing” sounds like the sort of thing Ed shouldn’t have done. But each month, Ed not only finds time to share in the Iroquois’ Sauk tribe with his daughter (where he has been tribal chief and continues to be actively involved in the Nation), but also attends a whole other set of of meetings with his sons! Why? Well, because – as he explains here in the following post– it’s more than time well spent, it’s a gift and a joy:
Attending the Park Ridge Daddy/Daughter dance with my then-preschool daughter has proved to be one the luckiest thing that has happened to us. There, we met a group of dads and daughters who were attending the dance together as an outing of their tribe from Indian Princesses. They invited us to join their tribe. Being new to Park Ridge and not knowing anything about Indian Princesses, I was hesitant. Nonetheless, with the insistence of my wife, we joined – and are overjoyed that we did.
This organization has given my daughter and I a vehicle to spend quality time together. As a father, it has allowed me to watch my daughter interact with other girls from other schools and areas that she never would have met otherwise. It has allowed me to watch her grow and gain confidence in her public speaking abilities by reciting the Seven Aims, being in charge of a meeting, or telling the group of the good deeds she has done since our last meeting. It has allowed me to see her understand and embrace helping others through the many charitable ventures the organization and our tribe undertake.
It has also allowed me to meet and spend time with other fathers. I’m pleased to say that these friendships made will outlast our time in Indian Princesses.
All told, the greatest gift a father can give his daughter is his time. To put all aside and spend time together attending monthly meetings, monthly activities, and campouts has been an experience of a lifetime that my daughter and I have been blessed to share together. — Ed Latko