Wanting to be apart of the community....

[anneighluhv]

HELLO to all my relations near & far,

I hope you are all doing well!

I am looking to get my daughter into dancing & into the Pow Wow community.
I would also like to join. I want my Daughter & I, to grow closer with our
Native American heritage. I grew up non-traditional and as soon as I could
start making my own decisions, I've been chasing my native american culture.
As I am still learning more and more. I am also teaching my daughter the ways
of our tribe. We come from the Navajo tribe, in Arizona.

We currently live in the Valley, Phoenix-Metro area. I am looking for a pow
wow community out here, to where we can join to watch and learn. If anyone
can point us in the right direction as to where we should start, that would
be great!

Blessings & Hugs to ALL!

[xTekno]

Why don't you want to start getting to know who you are first before trying to be a part of the Powwow envieonment?

You state that you are in AZ and are Diné. Find out who your relatives are back on Navajo Land and get to know your grandparents. Learn what you can about your own language and way of life first so that you and your child know your roots.

In the meantime, the valley has a lot of American Indian communities and they host various events and celebrations throughout the year where you can attend and be part of the American Indian community.

[milehighsalute]

....or at the very least start attending local powwows.....watch.....learn who is who......make friends.....thats a good start

[jamie1980]

I agree

I agree with xteckno. If you are dene find your tribal family.if your daughter is still young find someone who dances jingle or fancyshawl.and then when she is old enough get her to dance buckskin or cloth.those are the 4 dancestyals for women. In the powwow world.for us guys it is southern streaight northern traditional grass and fancy feather dance. Also bare in mind that the cost of beadwork and featherwork the both of you will have to have. It cost about 400.00 for a good northern traditional bustle or for even a good fancy feather set I'm guessing. Your best bet as far as featherwork would be superior regalia or mortis Wright. On face book. The reason I recamend them is because they do amazing featherwork.and for jingle or fancyshawl for your daughter go with neepken hunt. Her work is amazing. For mens regalia go with littlecrow tradingpost. I love there designs if your dancing grass go with ribbon its much easier then yarn. And much lighter so you will have a better flow. Remember what I have said but also keep in mind that powwow danceing is a northern and southern plains kind of style but has spreader to most of the tribes

[xTekno]

I agree with xteckno. If you are dene find your tribal family.if your daughter is still young find someone who dances jingle or fancyshawl.and then when she is old enough get her to dance buckskin or cloth.those are the 4 dancestyals for women. In the powwow world.for us guys it is southern streaight northern traditional grass and fancy feather dance. Also bare in mind that the cost of beadwork and featherwork the both of you will have to have. It cost about 400.00 for a good northern traditional bustle or for even a good fancy feather set I'm guessing. Your best bet as far as featherwork would be superior regalia or mortis Wright. On face book. The reason I recamend them is because they do amazing featherwork.and for jingle or fancyshawl for your daughter go with neepken hunt. Her work is amazing. For mens regalia go with littlecrow tradingpost. I love there designs if your dancing grass go with ribbon its much easier then yarn. And much lighter so you will have a better flow. Remember what I have said but also keep in mind that powwow danceing is a northern and southern plains kind of style but has spreader to most of the tribes

The intent of my original reply is to inform the original poster that the powwow dances are not the original dances of the Navajo people. If she really wants to get her child to know her culture, let her know who she really is as Navajo person first, not as someone dressed as a person from another nation.

[jamie1980]

The intent of my original reply is to inform the original poster that the powwow dances are not the original dances of the Navajo people. If she really wants to get her child to know her culture, let her know who she really is as Navajo person first, not as someone dressed as a person from another nation.

Like I said my brother or sister I do agree.. I also gave info of good friends of mine who do featherwork and also makes regalia for powwow. But first and foremost they need to get the . regailia of there tribal nation.also go to there tribal dances and she needs to get ready for her coming of age ceremony. But they both need to be contacted by an elder.

[Joe's Dad]

I agree with xteckno. If you are dene find your tribal family.if your daughter is still young find someone who dances jingle or fancyshawl.and then when she is old enough get her to dance buckskin or cloth.those are the 4 dancestyals for women. In the powwow world.for us guys it is southern streaight northern traditional grass and fancy feather dance. Also bare in mind that the cost of beadwork and featherwork the both of you will have to have. It cost about 400.00 for a good northern traditional bustle or for even a good fancy feather set I'm guessing. Your best bet as far as featherwork would be superior regalia or mortis Wright. On face book. The reason I recamend them is because they do amazing featherwork.and for jingle or fancyshawl for your daughter go with neepken hunt. Her work is amazing. For mens regalia go with littlecrow tradingpost. I love there designs if your dancing grass go with ribbon its much easier then yarn. And much lighter so you will have a better flow. Remember what I have said but also keep in mind that powwow danceing is a northern and southern plains kind of style but has spreader to most of the tribes

Where do you buy a 'good Northern Traditional bustle' for $400?

Sometimes, I wonder if you really know what you are talking about.

To others who are reading this. These are not callous words. These are words of learning. If you don't know proper protocol for obtaining items of dance or ceremony...DON'T SAY IT 0R PRINT IT.

Many people still wear items on their bodies that were handed down, made decades ago or given to dancers. N9T EVERYTHING IS BOUGHT.

Know your facts before you speak.

To the original poster. Don't get in a hurry to be NDN. Learn the proper way. Visit the centers in your area. Make friends.

[Joe's Dad]

I'm waiting for a reply, Jamie 1980.

[DeafElderWoman]

Aanii (Hello or Hi). Welcome to Powwows.com Forum. Try to learn about your Navajo Heritage. Usually Navajos don't attend the powwows but some like you want to attend the powwows to watch and to dance in the traditional style, not competition, I think. They have their own private dance ceremonies in their Navajo reservations, but people who are not Navajos came to watch their performances.

I am not Navajo. I am Cree from Ontario, Canada. I am living here in New Mexico on and off before I am back home here in New Mexico as I am old now. Time to hang up my traveling days.

Enjoy reading and posting here.

[milehighsalute]

The intent of my original reply is to inform the original poster that the powwow dances are not the original dances of the Navajo people. If she really wants to get her child to know her culture, let her know who she really is as Navajo person first, not as someone dressed as a person from another nation.

sheeeeee-it......navajos powwow all right

they may not have many particpating in dance or singing

but what powwows west of the missisippi dont have navajos vending and working frybread stands?

and snagging in the parking lots? they really must partake in that considering the large amount of half navajo babies out there

so what im really tryin to say is......yeah.....navajos powwow all right!!!

anneighluhv? wanna go halfers on a baby?

[xTekno]

sheeeeee-it......navajos powwow all right

they may not have many particpating in dance or singing

but what powwows west of the missisippi dont have navajos vending and working frybread stands?

and snagging in the parking lots? they really must partake in that considering the large amount of half navajo babies out there

so what im really tryin to say is......yeah.....navajos powwow all right!!!

anneighluhv? wanna go halfers on a baby?

true dat, but the fact remains that the powwow dances are not traditional to the navajo. yes, we have our own dances, songs, and ceremonies, but they are not part of the powwow scene.

And yes, there are many, many outstanding dancers and singers who are navajo.