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Can white people dance at powwows?
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#1 |
Pow Wow Visitor
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Can white people dance at powwows?
Hi there! I am Montana, 14 years old:)
I'm new to this site. I stumbled upon it while researching about powwows!:) Alright, so I have a question... Are white people allowed to dance at powwows? I am 'white,' but my mom is native and I have my status card and tribal ID. I've always wanted to dance at a powwow, but I really am not wanting to offend anymore or look like a wannabe there! My mom was a powwow dancer when she was younger. I took after my dads side- blonde hair, but I have my moms face shape and eyes. My grandma wanted me to, because she is known among the native community around here, but I am too worried. Sorry if I offend anyone! I asked something like this on Yahoo and got attacked o.o Best regards! |
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#2 |
Me & Eyes are the best !
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This has been discussed here before and most of the time whatever answer is given is not the answer you expect. LOL
Anyone can dance at an inter-tribal powwow. With that said , there will always be some who object. Now , my question to you : If your mother is native and your grand-mother is native , why do you identify yourself as white ? I am not a full-blood , but I identify as native. My grandmother always said "you are either ndn or not , there is no in between" It seems to me if you have your tribal ID , then do what you want ! It says you're native.
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I believe blood quantums are the governments way to breed us out of existance ! They say blood is thicker than water ! Now maple syrup is thicker than blood , so are pancakes more important than family ? There are "Elders" and there are "Olders". Being the second one doesn't make the first one true ! ![]() Somebody is out there somewhere, thinking of you and the impact you made in their life. It's not me....I think you're an idiot ! ![]() There's a chance you might not like me , but there's a bigger chance I won't care |
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#3 |
Pow Wow Visitor
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If your grandmother really wanted you to dance. She would have gotten your regalia together and you wouldn't be here asking, you would be dancing.
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Wanjica Infinity No One |
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#4 | |
On The Rocks
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"attack"? You say your mom is Native, and used to powwow. You say that you've always wanted to dance powwow. .....If your grandmother is known around the community, don't they also know YOU? Don't you know any other teenagers that dance powwow? Your Cousins, or Aunties, uncles? You list all these connections, but you call yourself "white". Hmmm.... What dance style would you dance? What drum groups you like? |
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#5 | |
small bead addict
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Quote:
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Take nothing for granted. Life can change irrevocably in a heartbeat. I will not feed the troll-well, I will try. |
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#6 |
The voices tell me...
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You see. This is why people don't come back. You gave them these rude answers and you make them feel bad.
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#7 |
The voices tell me...
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Just saying.
This is me ----> ![]() |
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#8 | |
On The Rocks
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We don't want to be Jerks...now do we? ![]() |
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#9 |
On The Rocks
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just kidding !!! ^^^^
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#10 |
On The Rocks
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Maybe we got CATFISHED ?
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#11 | |
Pow Wow Visitor
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Quote:
Hi, sorry for the months late reply... I kind of forgot my password on here and forgot about the site afterwards and just found it again... It's because my mom stopped dancing when we moved away from my Grandma.I don't know why. My grandma lives several hours away from us so I don't know the people she knows that well as I visit every so often. A few of my Aunts dance but they too, live far... well, across Canada from me, to be exact. And haha, I don't know what to call it. Mixed-raced? Native? |
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#12 |
On The Rocks
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No worries...
thanks for getting back. I grew up all over, apart from blood relatives, and culture. All good, things will work out for you! |
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#13 |
Pow Wow Committee
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Welcome back.
As I suspect you already know, phenotype doesn't make an Indian. Nor does paper. Indian relatives and community enculturating you make an Indian. Sounds like you've got that down. However, as we fair skinned mixed bloods know -- just like our dark-skinned kin -- phenotype is often the first thing strangers use to sort people into "us" and "them" categories. Reflecting on the mists of prehistory, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I seem to recall that at 14 I found it pretty important to fit into the right "us" group. At that age, there was little worse than feeling like the oddball, except being singled out as the misfit. I'm not putting you down for this. If you are concerned about not fitting in, then I would suggest getting your family to help you out. Perhaps they could get you some tobacco to take to some respected local dancers in the style you want to dance. Take you time and talk to them, maybe you can find a mentor to guide you into the circle. Under the tutelage of an established dancer, you're less likely to face judgement or commit a faux pas when entering the circle. That is this old lady's free advice. It may only be worth exactly what you paid for it, LOL. |
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#14 |
Pow Wow Visitor
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Go Dancing
I am non Indian and have been dancing powwow since I was 11. Before I attend a powwow I usually call the contact phone number just to ensure that it is an "open" powwow and that anybody can dance. I've never been turned down, in fact, I've never even heard of a "closed" powwow.
It's been a long time since I have danced in Montana but I remember that the people I met there were very friendly and no one got in my face. By all legal definitions, you seem to be Indian, in fact but remember, blonde hair does not a white man make. Go dancing and stop thinking about what other people are thinking. Just Dance! White Coyote |
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#15 |
Pow Wow Visitor
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Thanks everyone!
I will move forth with being a dancer:) I spot to my mom and she is all up for it as long as I am! Once again, thank you!!!! |
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#16 |
Pow Wow Visitor
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You said your family was scattered across Canada? If you are living in one of the bigger Canadian cities you can always drop in at one of the Friendship Centres (aboriginal community centre).
They often have after school/weekend/summer activities for kids. Some even have dancing classes! One place to start. And as most have said, you have "one foot in the door" and are part First Nation, by all means, learn about who you are and your culture! Good luck! |
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#17 | |
Pow Wow Visitor
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#18 | |
Junior Dancer
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Yes (at least, at some powwows).
I have seen (100 %) white, blonde-blue eyed whites..... (100%) Black (born in Trinidad, not 1 drop of NDN blood in him) dance at the Six Nations Pow Wow. Not during the Inter-tribal, but in full regalia during competition. Quote:
The practice should be outlawed. Why invite whites and othe non-NDN's to to sully the circle. In fact, why allow whites and others to attend Pow Wows at all. Pow Wows = for NDN's only. Stamp out Wannabes (these can go to Germany for their Pow Wows). ![]() |
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#19 | |
Me & Eyes are the best !
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Quote:
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__________________
I believe blood quantums are the governments way to breed us out of existance ! They say blood is thicker than water ! Now maple syrup is thicker than blood , so are pancakes more important than family ? There are "Elders" and there are "Olders". Being the second one doesn't make the first one true ! ![]() Somebody is out there somewhere, thinking of you and the impact you made in their life. It's not me....I think you're an idiot ! ![]() There's a chance you might not like me , but there's a bigger chance I won't care |
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#20 | |
Biboon omaa
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Asema Is Sacred Traditional Use, Not Misuse Wakan Tanka please have compassion on me. OK Niji we are running a train with red over yellow at this powwow. |
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