Besides White Peeps That Powwow...

[savysun]

hello, just out of curiosity, i was wondering, besides white people, do you ever see other races dance? like asian, black, european? (shrugs) anyway, i've been to a few powwows and have never seen anyone else powwow except indians and whites. i'm just wondering if any of you have seen one and if so, what do you think of it? cheers!

[billyjoejimbob]

I have seen a few of every race, only a few, mainly the ones I know personally.

Im guessing there are more white people becuase we have no culture. C'mon, what to white people do to celebrate and have fun? We make other people serve us.

Not to mention our religions!

I cant stand it all.

my 2c

[Sleeping Bear]

Y'know, BJJB, self-hatred isn't that much more attractive than bigotry. I'm sorry if you feel alienated from your culture, but take it easy on us po' white folks. I like the ndn way too, but to trash my own culture does no one any good here, does it?

[Eagle Plumes]

Im our area we have a good sized polenisien comminuity and have went to some of their gatherings the food and dancing was very nice it reminded me of our gatherings with the food ,family ,and they did some dancing." Oh and sorry about the spelling, my spell check wont load"

[savysun]

i've always wanted to try indian dancing, i can definitely pass as an indian but it would put my culture to shame if i joined another culture, but otherwise, i'd also be called a poser or a wannabe. but besides my love for indian culture, i love how they dance and everything about them. it's kinda hard to explain but i feel i want to belong but then again, it's not my part because i'm not indian. and it's so cool, you guys eat fry bread just like we do, how cool is that? but i'm sure the recipe is different. LOL

[trob226]

Y'know, BJJB, self-hatred isn't that much more attractive than bigotry. I'm sorry if you feel alienated from your culture, but take it easy on us po' white folks. I like the ndn way too, but to trash my own culture does no one any good here, does it?

You have to admit, Sleeping Bear, that white American culture is kind of - well, money oriented and somewhat lacking when it comes to those values that don't have anything to do with money. What does it say when TV public service announcements have to tell us it's a good thing to have dinner with your family? We might talk family values, but the culture itself doesn't promote them. I'm not trashing all white culture - all cultures have good and bad points, and I'm a heck of alot more white than Indian - but white American culture does seem to be the most commercial.

[billyjoejimbob]

WOW, I cant even insult MYSELF on here.

[Sleeping Bear]

You have to admit, Sleeping Bear, that white American culture is kind of - well, money oriented and somewhat lacking when it comes to those values that don't have anything to do with money. What does it say when TV public service announcements have to tell us it's a good thing to have dinner with your family? We might talk family values, but the culture itself doesn't promote them. I'm not trashing all white culture - all cultures have good and bad points, and I'm a heck of alot more white than Indian - but white American culture does seem to be the most commercial.

You make a good point, Trob, but I think that what you are describing is something of a virtual culture that is the lowest common culture that is shared by all, or most, Americans. When I speak of my culture, I am referring to my German and Norwegian cultures. They are quite rich, and full of family and friend-oriented practices, as are the ndn cultures. Non-native america simply hasn't had enough time to build much of a culture, certainly not one that can compare with cultures that have existed and evolved over thousands of years. Let's remember that we are not comparing apples to apples here. American culture is way behind it's elder brothers, but it does continue to evolve and develop. I hope that ndn culture can become a large part of the American Culture, as I think is proper. Til then, let's let the little ones learn, and hope they grow into good adults. Whatcha' think?

[Sleeping Bear]

WOW, I cant even insult MYSELF on here.

The thought police are watching you...

[trob226]

You make a good point, Trob, but I think that what you are describing is something of a virtual culture that is the lowest common culture that is shared by all, or most, Americans. When I speak of my culture, I am referring to my German and Norwegian cultures. They are quite rich, and full of family and friend-oriented practices, as are the ndn cultures. Non-native america simply hasn't had enough time to build much of a culture, certainly not one that can compare with cultures that have existed and evolved over thousands of years. Let's remember that we are not comparing apples to apples here. American culture is way behind it's elder brothers, but it does continue to evolve and develop. I hope that ndn culture can become a large part of the American Culture, as I think is proper. Til then, let's let the little ones learn, and hope they grow into good adults. Whatcha' think?

I think you're right. I don't know anything about the old European cultures - not part of my upbringing, although I am in touch with distant Irish-American cousins who were raised REALLY Irish and the family orientation is definitely there. But "American culture" is an adolescent. I hope it learns and grows, too.

[billyjoejimbob]

If the thought police were watching I would be in the electric chair years ago.,

[Sleeping Bear]

If the thought police were watching I would be in the electric chair years ago.,

You and me both, Brother, you and me both...

[Ahinawake]

I've seen black people and hispanic people (they spoke Spanish and were wearing shorts and t-shirts, so I'm assuming they weren't ndns) dance, but never Asian people or anything.

[Mato Winyan]

Things on the powwow trail are sure changing and it's really not safe to make ....... I'll call em assumptions ( instead of biggoted racist judgements). The face of the people that powwow are changing as there are more and more mixed natives dancing.

[Lakota Wiyan]

You make a good point, Trob, but I think that what you are describing is something of a virtual culture that is the lowest common culture that is shared by all, or most, Americans. When I speak of my culture, I am referring to my German and Norwegian cultures. They are quite rich, and full of family and friend-oriented practices, as are the ndn cultures. Non-native america simply hasn't had enough time to build much of a culture, certainly not one that can compare with cultures that have existed and evolved over thousands of years. Let's remember that we are not comparing apples to apples here. American culture is way behind it's elder brothers, but it does continue to evolve and develop. I hope that ndn culture can become a large part of the American Culture, as I think is proper. Til then, let's let the little ones learn, and hope they grow into good adults. Whatcha' think?

I think that the wish that "NDN" culture can become a large part of the American Culture is not only NOT proper, but it is something that most tribes have tried to prevent from happening through out the years. From what I have witnessed and heard for years is that our tribes do not want to be come part of the big melting pot that is supposedly America, because to do that means to give out and share, and watch our own very distinct cultures and languages disintegrate over the years.
In my own tribe (Oglala Sioux Tribe), we are facing a HUGE challenge to retain our own language, because of the assimilation process that we are just now turning out backs on. Fortunately for us, we have a new generation of children who are actually seeking and FINDING guidance to learn and retain our culture and our language. Our elders and leaders need to stay home and teach our kids and families BEFORE they go out and try to educate the "sympathetics", and the hobbyists, and the new age people who want to incorporate "NDN" culture into their own beliefs.
People dont realize, or if they do, they dont respect, the fact that our cultures and our spiritual beliefs are meant to stand alone, and sustain our people throughout the years. We never NEEDED to assimliate other cultures, but we often did out of respect for other tribes who might have intermarried with our own. So, it's not a good thing at all that America needs our cultures and our beliefs and our spirituality to identify it's self. I think America has taken enough, already, don't you? Or are you maybe one of the many who just refuse to listen and respect that maybe you DON"T have a place in our cultures, and that maybe interference might be a contributing factor to our almost overwhelming struggle to maintain our hold on all that is left to us, our identities?
Just because Non-natives are searching for whatever they are searching for at powwows and ceremonies, does NOT mean that we have to appreciate your interest in US, and it does not mean that the majority of us has to like the fact that you might have found a person or two willing to take you in and teach you "NDN" ways...lol...How many German and Norwegian sites do you visit and share with? How proficient are you in those languages? What kind of spirituality do they offer you?