Does wearing accessories make you Indian?

[WhoMe]

Today after church a man invited me and my family to lunch. He said he was Metis and was visiting the area from West Virginia.

He wore a porcupine medicine wheel bolo tie and turquoise and silver jewelry. On his pickup he had Indian bumper stickers. Other than that, you couldn't tell he was Indian just by looking at him.

As we talked, he mentioned that he owned a lodge and attended roundezvous. He added that he was recently in Florida for a historical treaty signing between the Metis and Shawnee. He said there were a lot of Indians there.

I told him I was headed to Denver March Powwow and there would be a lot of Indians there, too. He said he had never heard of Denver March powwow.

He told me that he was involved in Indian ceremonies. I told him I go to ceremonies too.

He said at the ceremonies he attends, they dressed Indian. I told him in most of the ceremonies I attend across North America, people dressed in their finest.... but usually wore modern American cloths.

He kind of frowned.

In my mind I took that to mean he didn't think you were truly Indian, unless you dressed like one.

Hmmmm????


Do you know or have you seen people like this?

[Annie Fawn]

Most of the natives wear normal every day clothes like everyone else.
Personally, I have a closet full of Native t- shirts and all types of so called native jewelry that I wear on a regular basis. Some might consider that dressing native or pushing the native issue. Of course my hubby would say I also have as many flower or garden t-shirts and jewelry.
I think the guy has a bee in his bonnet and is either pushing the issue or trying to pretend that he is better than you to boast his ego.

[*Brown Eyed Gurl*]

i personally think the paler they are they feel the need to prove somthing visually...or at least along those lines....sorta ish

[TacO5000]

does dressing preppy make me white? or dressing like I'm from the hood make me black? or wear long pointy ostric skin boots and taco shaped cowboy had wif the buckle to match make me mex??? I think not... who dat was tryna impress u!!! another case of I'm more scrared than u cuz....

[Joe's Dad]

Today after church a man invited me and my family to lunch. He said he was Metis and was visiting the area from West Virginia.

He wore a porcupine medicine wheel bolo tie and turquoise and silver jewelry. On his pickup he had Indian bumper stickers. Other than that, you couldn't tell he was Indian just by looking at him.

As we talked, he mentioned that he owned a lodge and attended roundezvous. He added that he was recently in Florida for a historical treaty signing between the Metis and Shawnee. He said there were a lot of Indians there.

I told him I was headed to Denver March Powwow and there would be a lot of Indians there, too. He said he had never heard of Denver March powwow.

He told me that he was involved in Indian ceremonies. I told him I go to ceremonies too.

He said at the ceremonies he attends, they dressed Indian. I told him in most of the ceremonies I attend across North America, people dressed in their finest.... but usually wore modern American cloths.

He kind of frowned.

In my mind I took that to mean he didn't think you were truly Indian, unless you dressed like one.

Hmmmm????


Do you know or have you seen people like this?

WhoMe...what kind of church are you going to????LOL

[Blackbear]

Came from West Virginia and said he was Metis huh? I think that pretty much sums it up from there on it's own... you really needed to ask? LOL!!

Hey, we make the jewelry and sell the jewelry to whoever is buying... I see more non indians wear it than natives.. or at least more non natives are "draped" in it than the natives are. Wearing it does'nt make me any more indian than the gold bling I have makes me a white rich woman.

[spottedeagle]

If I wear a green bowler's hat, carry a shelele and drink green beer does that make me Irish? Cause if it does the ladies can start lining up to kiss an Irishman on St. Pat's Day!!!

[Josiah]

I think some people have an image in there mind what a ndn should look like
I'm really surprised he did not grow his hair long and wear a Billy Jack hat

[Kiwehnzii]

He said at the ceremonies he attends, they dressed Indian. I told him in most of the ceremonies I attend across North America, people dressed in their finest.... but usually wore modern American cloths.

Yes!!!! When I wear my AIM bandanna as a headband, it most certainly makes me more Indian than all of you.

Ayyee.

[WhoMe]

He said at the ceremonies he attends, they dressed Indian. I told him in most of the ceremonies I attend across North America, people dressed in their finest.... but usually wore modern American cloths.

Yes!!!! When I wear my AIM bandanna as a headband, it most certainly makes me more Indian than all of you.

Ayyee.

Kiweh,

When you ONLY wear a AIM bandana and "nothing else"

...That certainly makes you more Indian!!!!

[OLChemist]

Wearing it does'nt make me any more indian than the gold bling I have makes me a white rich woman.

Have you weighed it recently? At $1K (US) per oz, you might at least have the rich part, LOL.

The more expensive the Ndn jewelry they're wearing, the more the price of my beadwork goes up. j/k

Seriously, in the dominant culture personal identity, particularly for teens and twenty somethings, is asserted through external presentation. You dress like your clique and you signal group membership through clothing, tattoos, piercings, and hairstyles. I think for many who wear (or overwear) these things, it is an act as much to separate them from the dominant culture and to "identify" them with our cultures. Native identity has all the benefits of a rebellious/outsider identity without the downsides of being a true outsider.

[middle of the sky]

this guy wears an eagle feather in his hair and goes into a bar and has a beer...(not a joke)...i dont think thats right eh

[Josiah]

I use to see the old Ten Gallon Hats flat brims and Leather vests on non ndns that was there way to identify with ndns I guess

[50cal]

you mean like a sabbakh????......that kinda indian????.....I don't think so.......LMAO!!!!

[Blackbear]

Kiweh,

When you ONLY wear a AIM bandana and "nothing else"

...That certainly makes you more Indian!!!!

Sounds like a fundraising ploy ... anyone want to buy the "Boys of AIM" bandana fun calender?