Describing Powwows.com

[WhoMe]

I just received an inquiry to recommend a website to learn about Indian people. I am going to recommend powwows.com. Go figure *L

I am not exactly sure how I can describe this website in order to do it justice.

How would you describe powwows.com if you were recommending it?

[Paul G]

I just received an inquiry to recommend a website to learn about Indian people. I am going to recommend powwows.com. Go figure *L

I am not exactly sure how I can describe this website in order to do it justice.

How would you describe powwows.com if you were recommending it?

I'm curious to see the responses on this!

[kiyaanii mom]

I've been thinking about this....and I can't find the right words.

But I think the thing that makes Pw.com unique to just learning about NDNs, is that NDNs have ownership in this site. So you don't just get the textbook version of learning about NDNs. You get it straight from the NDNs mouth... so to speak.

So I would describe it as a "living resource of modern indian life."

Please anyone feel free to refine!

[Paul G]

I've been thinking about this....and I can't find the right words.

But I think the thing that makes Pw.com unique to just learning about NDNs, is that NDNs have ownership in this site. So you don't just get the textbook version of learning about NDNs. You get it straight from the NDNs mouth... so to speak.

So I would describe it as a "living resource of modern indian life."

Please anyone feel free to refine!

That's a great description! I've always said the strength of this site is the members. You guys build the content!

[badmaninc]

One of the unique challenges of this site though is that we also get all of the dysfunction that permeates our communities. We have ndns trying to out ndn each other. My way is holier than yours. Sometimes we all have the twisted sense of humor going when some peoples get offended. We have other who get all emotionally unstable with their responses; in short just like our communities, Rezs, villages, whatever you want to call them by. To me its fascinating to see how many of the PWS.com people's beliefs and opinions mirror many of the people from my community. Not that my community is superior or a prototypical representation of all ndn, first nation, native communities. Just an observation.

[Josiah]

I have always had a problem trying to describe it to people here in Oklahoma I know they read it. I had the shock of my life when a certain person told me this last weekend that they read what I have posted about the Gourd Dance.
(It was a compliment)

So let that be a lesson to you
Be careful what you post
LOL

It is a great resource for searching for Powwows which is how I discovered the website in the first place, I lived far from home and wanted to find a powwow nearby and I googled powwow.
The rest is HISTORY!!!

So if I were to describe powwows.com I would say its made up of people all across the internet some very knowledgeable and others seeking knowledge.
Its a good place to talk about the next powwow and that certain one that you will always remember.
It's a great Forum to read and express all of this and more....

I am a fan by the way its where I met my wife!!!

[steelemagnolia63]

hummmmm... how about this... A unique and diverse resource for Native American insight.....

[NorthofAda]

I like how K-Mom described it.

It's the dialogue and dynamic nature of this site that makes it special. It's also multimedia - the pictures, the videos of dances and events, the how-to's on the craft work - kind of hard to sum up in a few words.

[injunboy]

yeah we bring alot to the table. im not jus talkin about ur bellys jks. ive shared alot and been vocal on somethings and quiet about others.

when bad said we bring our sense of humor *<< or something like that* its soo funney when some peeps walk into it and kinda clueless. but thats part of it. were not Wiki or whatever.. oh and somehow we walk that fine line between not sharing the stuff that shouldnt be shared and talkin openly.

hmm? im kinda with kmom in that i dont know the correct words.

[WhoMe]

Each one of you has posted some great descriptions.

I especially like Kiyaanii's synopsis "living resource of modern indian life."

Please keep the comments coming!

[RDNKJ]

I've been thinking about this....and I can't find the right words...

So I would describe it as a "living resource of modern indian life."

I was thinking about this last night - how would I as a non-NDN describe powwows.com.

Kiyanii Mom has described my impressions perfectly. If you don't mind, I will use "living resource of modern indian life" when I talk to others about the website.

[gtbdave]

I can't think of another site that has so many Native Americans, there probably are none that have more. They are so diverse also, coming from all over the place, some traditionalist, some not so much traditionalist. Different ages, different backgrounds, different education levels. All with one thing in common, they like to Pow Wow.

I guess it can get hostile at times, feelings can get hurt, there's some controversies, but it's not as hostile as some sites I visit. Try politics boards sometimes, or military boards, now those can get downright nasty. You gotta have some thick skin to go there.

I've learn alot from this board, things that I couldn't learn about anywhere else. I guess there will always be the controversies and differences in opinions. You have off-reservation ndns, on reservation ndns, urban/country, old/young, full blood/part ndn, etc. Some socialist, some not so much socialist, other's indifferent to the politics/economics. The factions/differences probably get more acute on the front lines. For the most part, they stay pretty much topical, talking about PowWows mostly. It's not like other sites where they invite controversy, conflict, and debate, heated discussions, and just thrive on that sort of thing. It's sort of laid back and take it easy for awhile.

[eap7]

I think that PowWows.com really is a "virtual gathering place." Paul provides us with the technology to connect, and we the members take it from there. The site really connects people from across Indian Country and even the world, especially with things like webcasts that bring powwows to people who wouldn't have the chance to see or hear it otherwise. I'd suggest that any description include not only a listing of the site's features (bulletin board, photo gallery, videos, calendar, etc) but also emphasize how the site allows interaction between people who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. Thanks Paul!

[Joe's Dad]

One of the unique challenges of this site though is that we also get all of the dysfunction that permeates our communities. We have ndns trying to out ndn each other. My way is holier than yours. Sometimes we all have the twisted sense of humor going when some peoples get offended. We have other who get all emotionally unstable with their responses; in short just like our communities, Rezs, villages, whatever you want to call them by. To me its fascinating to see how many of the PWS.com people's beliefs and opinions mirror many of the people from my community. Not that my community is superior or a prototypical representation of all ndn, first nation, native communities. Just an observation.

Dude. You have people like Zeke where you live??? j/k Zeke

This site covers one end of the spectrum to the other. You know a friend of a friend of a friend. Been to the spot, powwow, rez, city, etc. someone else has been. You make new friends for life...or until your computer breaks down. You share what you should, keep quiet about the rest.

Then you have the clueless. LOL Have no idea what NDNism is. Claims major knowledge. Doesn't take long for the good people here to straighten those kind out. Ever walk into a powwow and feel those black eyes just staring at you without saying a word? hahahaa

kmom said it right. A "living resource of modern indian life." Make sure you get copy rights on this saying! LOL