Saying Hello

[Mogs]

Hi
I thought I would leap in and introduce myself.
My name is Kevin,
I should say I’m in Wales.
I first came across Native American Dance when I was about 18 at the International Eisteddfod in the late 1970’s, I was awestruck, the sound, colour, speed and rhythm was captivating, but was too shy to speak to any of them. I wish I had. This was well before the internet, and things move on.
I now wonder if this group were truly what they appeared to be. I’m not implying that they were frauds, but they may easily have originated from nearby.
Do you know if anyone travelled over here back then? If not perhaps you might consider coming over. I (and my family) would love to see the dance again.
Since then I have always had an interest in American native culture. Over the years I’ve read many books, watched lots of movies and TV documentaries, most no doubt making huge gaffs and inaccuracies.
K

[Grits & Beans]

We do know how to get down...

[OLChemist]

Do you know if anyone travelled over here back then? If not perhaps you might consider coming over. I (and my family) would love to see the dance again.

Welcome, Kevin. Please explore our forums and learn more about our many cultures and art forms.


BTW, Wales is a beautiful county. I have a great-grandmother from Llanelli. While I was in college, I went over there to see where some of my non-Native ancestors came from.


Our people have been Transatlantic travelers since the "Columbian Exchange" began. It is a fallacy to think of us as an isolated, provincial people. Our various nations have been involved in trade, diplomacy, and exogamy since the first Europeans washed up on shore. Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) traveled to the court of George III in 1775 on a diplomatic mission for his people, just as his grandfather had journeyed to England 65 years before. And this wasn't unique to the Mohawks. Men from many New England tribes served in 18th century whaling fleets, traveling all over the world. Many of my own people had grandparents and great grandparents who traveled to the UK and Europe as entertainers in Wild West shows. We had even more who served in both World Wars. We have long been as curious about your lands and cultures as you have been about ours.

So, yes I'm sure Native peoples traveled over to the UK in the 1970's. Who those particular dancers were I have no idea. I'm sure someday in the future Native people will again perform in the UK.

[LISA IRONMAKER]

Kevin Welcome to pws.com enjoy!!

[Tsalagi_Phoenix]

Hi Kevin and welcome to the forum.

[Mogs]

Thank you all for the warm welcome, I will certainly keep reading about your culture.

I’m sure you will understand that much of the information available here is of a dubious nature. If I have any questions I hope should I post them here someone will put me right.

Are there any books etc. anyone would recommend?

Kevin

[OLChemist]

I’m sure you will understand that much of the information available here is of a dubious nature.

I hope by here you mean the UK. Most of the information on this site is decent. Except for [MENTION=21858]Joe's Dad[/MENTION]'s instructions on how to flirt with water moccasins. Sorry, inside joke.


Kevin, there is an enormous cultural range in just Native North America. There are 500+ nations, speaking as many languages, practicing lifeways as different as the French are the Zulus. We have thousands of years of history and culture.

It might be helpful if you could be a bit more specific. Are you interested in arts, literature, dance, history, modern political movements, philosophy, land tenure, traditional technologies, biographies?

[Joe's Dad]

Or would you like to know how to seduce aa water mocassin? LOL

[lbgood]

Or would you like to know how to seduce aa water mocassin? LOL

You must have a thang for snakes, I remember you had something about an interaction of sorts between a snake and horse in the signature area of posts before

[lbgood]

Do you know if anyone travelled over here back then? If not perhaps you might consider coming over. I (and my family) would love to see the dance again.
Since then I have always had an interest in American native culture. Over the years I’ve read many books, watched lots of movies and TV documentaries, most no doubt making huge gaffs and inaccuracies.
K

We have long been as curious about your lands and cultures as you have been about ours.

I agree as well, perhaps your people can come over and perform some of your dances, share some customs and allow us to taste some of your peoples food. I know there will be some natives who would interested in what your people are willing share, I know I am...

[gilisi]

Or would you like to know how to seduce aa water mocassin? LOL

Wasn't the water mocassin a character on Kill Bill? LOL

[Mogs]

I hope by here you mean the UK. Most of the information on this site is decent.

I knew that I would put my foot in it, the more I post to this forum. I didn't think I would do so quite as quickly. Yes, I meant geographically "here" in the UK.

[Mogs]

Perhaps it would be better if I were to explain a little bit more about myself and the where I’m coming from, and my story of discovery so far.

I have already stated that my interest was initially tweaked after seeing tradition dance years ago. That interest got put aside once it was overtaken by girls – one particular girl – marriage – children etc. My children are now grown up and I have time to pursue and revisit my interests.

In 2012, my family and I took a holiday coach tour of the North East of the US and Canada, (New York, Boston, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto, York (PA), Washington, Philadelphia and back to New York). Fantastic it was, but it did not cover anything specifically Native American which I had hoped it would. (of course it can be said that all the amazing landscape we saw is Native American).

Since then I have tried to read as much as I can on your culture(s) etc., (the books I’ve got mostly from our local lending library) and I have watched as many documentaries as I can on the Discovery Channel etc. Many of the books are written from the colonial perspective and if “Indians” are mentioned, it’s usually only briefly. I also recently watched the dramatization of Dee Browns book “Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee” which has inspired me to read his book, (I’m halfway through). Much of it I find shameful from my Celtic / Anglo Saxon background.

During my lunch hours I spend time surfing the web, which is how I came across this site. I don’t have web access at home, that’s not strictly true, I do, but I would have to wrest it off my daughters, no contest there, I lose out.

The book ends in 1890 (I read the last chapter). What happens next? I hadn’t realised that Reservations still exist until recently; obviously they must be much better than they were 120ish years ago. From what I’ve read so far poverty and bigotry is still a major problem and inter-tribal conflict is getting worse, I hope this is an over-exaggeration.

About me:
I’m in my early 50’s, overweight and unfit. I’m a qualified Builder, carpentry is my trade background. I work as an administrator for the local authority. My hobbies include building and flying model Radio Controlled Aircraft, History and Music.

Kevin

[OLChemist]

So you would be interested books about more contemporary events?

Here are a (very) few of my recommendations:

Non-Native authors --

Jim Kristofic, Navajos Wear Nikes, University of New Mexico Press, 2011.

Stew Magnuson, The Death of Raymond Yellow Thunder: And Other True Stories form the Nebraska-Pine Ridge Border Towns, Texas Tech University Press, 2008.


Native authors --

David Treuer, Rez Life, Grove Press, 2013.

Anton Trueur, Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask, Borealis Books, 2012.

Vic Glover, Keeping Heart on Pine Ridge, Native Voices, 2004.

Vine Deloria, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, University of Oklahoma Press, 1969.


Novels by Native authors

Leslie Silko, Ceremony, Penguin Classics, 2006.

Susan Power, The Grass Dancer, Berkley, 1995.

[Mogs]

OLChemist Thank you.

I will take the full list to the library, this will shock them.

Previously I've been asking general requests. Hopefully they will be able to source some of them, if not all.

Kevin