Sure.

The controlling idea or thesis of the essay "Sharing Tradition" by Frank LaPena is that the oral tradition is an important aspect of a community's culture and history, and it is vital to preserve it in order to maintain the values and traditions of the community. LaPena discusses the importance of the oral tradition as a way of transmitting knowledge and understanding of the natural world from one person to another, and he emphasizes the role of elders in preserving and passing down the oral tradition. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining the oral tradition in modern society, and the importance of recognizing and supporting the role of elders in the community. Through his discussion, LaPena presents a strong argument for the importance of the oral tradition and the need to preserve it in order to maintain the unique identity and culture of a community.