The Guild of Induction Experience Designers (the GIED) is a think tank of Order of the Arrow members who develop induction programs. We are independent, unofficial, and have no official relationship with the National OA Committee or any part of the Boy Scouts of America. So NONE OF THE MATERIALS ON THIS SITE ARE OFFICIAL. We are all Vigil Honor members, deeply interested and involved in the induction, but have a variety of experience and expertise.
OUR PROPOSED OA MEMBERSHIP CEREMONY – NEW (AND TRUE) LEGENDS, NO FALSE CLAIMS
Years ago the National Order of the Arrow Committee indicated that a review of the role of Indian lore in the OA was being conducted. It was evenbeing openly suggested that Indian lore might even be completely phased out of the Order. We now have a partial answer. Any use of Indian lore in a lodge is dependent on the lodge having a written agreement with a local tribe.
However, we have seen nothing yet regarding the existing Indian lore in our ceremony texts. Our legends state that the Order of the Arrow is associated with an actual pre-existing Native American brotherhood. This is not true. In response to this issue, we previously created alternative induction ceremonies and proposed them to the Committee.