Women in Regalia

[storm]

I am new around here and some of you younger folks sure have strong opinions. All I can add is a little history. At least in OKlahoma there have been women in Fancy dance outfits for 30 years. Not many. Usually teen girls. Some have competed. At Stroud powow for years there was an afternoon competition of women in their husbands straight dance clothes, It was hillarious.
I have listened to folks get real mad and others think it was great.
However, these were all Indians. There is enough controversy about white folks dancing at all.

[superndngyrl]

my comments were directed towards this thread...

From my perspective, when someone says no about dancing rights and permissions... one shouldn't run to someone else who will tell them yes. There's tons of websites out there ran by other non-natives giving and selling permissions but thats not how it works. I've served in the military and have earned my feathers. But I'm a woman and I know my place and happily and very proudly do I dance women's traditional because thats our traditions and thats our customs.

To respect us means even accepting NO as an answer.

[Mato Winyan]

The discussion that was not under the topic of women in regalia was moved... you can find it by clicking on the link herel

mato


http://www.powwows.com/gathering/sho...0&pagenumber=1

[C_Rock77]

I appreciate the backup

[White Powwow Dancer]

Originally posted by C_Rock77
Many of the sentiments in this thread I couldn't agree with more! I'm a white man and I dance..but I wear Northern Traditional MEN'S clothes. The one question I had in my mind when I read your very first post was "WHY?" WHY would you want to cross dress? Sure, there are switch dances at powwows, but that's mostly a novelty..and I know some people don't look upon that favorably.

Like me, you're white. You already take the chance of "ruffling feathers" just by donning regalia in the first place. You take that chance because this is not your native culture. You are asking to be accepted as a guest in this circle. Just as when you're a guest in someone's home, you don't offend your host! Pardon my french, but why in the HELL would you even THINK of doing something you KNOW has such a high liklihood of ruffling feathers, as you put it?

The rule of thumb I tell non-indian people interested in dancing to attempt to stay as "middle of the road" as they can get. I say this all the time concerning dancing and clothes....just because you see one or two people doing something, doesn't mean you should do it, too. This is not your culture...You're a guest here. You should try everything you can to not step on toes.

If you want to dance, find one of the women's styles that inspires you, research the dance and regalia, put the clothes together to the best of your ability, and dance to the best of your ability. Show respect to the style, those with whom you dance, and those that came before you.

Roger that C Rock

[C_Rock77]

Many of the sentiments in this thread I couldn't agree with more! I'm a white man and I dance..but I wear Northern Traditional MEN'S clothes. The one question I had in my mind when I read your very first post was "WHY?" WHY would you want to cross dress? Sure, there are switch dances at powwows, but that's mostly a novelty..and I know some people don't look upon that favorably.

Like me, you're white. You already take the chance of "ruffling feathers" just by donning regalia in the first place. You take that chance because this is not your native culture. You are asking to be accepted as a guest in this circle. Just as when you're a guest in someone's home, you don't offend your host! Pardon my french, but why in the HELL would you even THINK of doing something you KNOW has such a high liklihood of ruffling feathers, as you put it?

The rule of thumb I tell non-indian people interested in dancing to attempt to stay as "middle of the road" as they can get. I say this all the time concerning dancing and clothes....just because you see one or two people doing something, doesn't mean you should do it, too. This is not your culture...You're a guest here. You should try everything you can to not step on toes.

If you want to dance, find one of the women's styles that inspires you, research the dance and regalia, put the clothes together to the best of your ability, and dance to the best of your ability. Show respect to the style, those with whom you dance, and those that came before you.

[KoolNDN]

Originally posted by powwowbum49
Try turning to the Army. There are several conflicts going on right now that I am sure could use someone with a warrior spirit burning inside of her.

Took the words right outta my mouth LMAO!

[KoolNDN]

You should be yourself, not someone your not.

You are a white woman - if the creator wanted you to wear a roach, bustle and etc... he would have made you an ndn man.

I would say go to powwows, enjoy the music, participate in an intertribal or round dance but leave it that. I myself admire and respect many cultures - but that doesn't mean I'm gonna join in and disrespect their heritage by dressing in their womens clothing. It really amazes me at what people are thinking - obviously they aren't.

I'm not tryin to mean to you - but after all you asked for our opinion. But I do know that this would not go over well on my rez.

[White Powwow Dancer]

Hi
PhoenixFire
To be warrior go into firefighting too.

[PhoenixFire]

Thank you

Okay... first... I had decided after my second post on this thread to dance in women regaliaif I even am deemed worthy to learn!...
I have noone in my area to talk to... I live in an intolerant white town and have no mode of transportation, e-mail and forum discussions seemed a logical choice. This is an exerpt from an e-mail, that touched me deeply regarding dance:

"I know what you mean by the drum making you want to dance. That is the way it should be. The drum beat is representative of the heartbeat of Mother Earth and moves us all... There are many beautiful ways you can reflect your feelings in your regalia and dance... The Creator made women with much more strength than we men. You do not have to prove you are a worior like we do. For this reason, you can dance proud that you are strong and beautiful, just the way the Creator made you."

I like to be respectful of customs and traditions... I do not wish to offend through my ignorance, however, how am I to learn,know, & grow if I don't ask? I do not like to be chastised by some ((not all here are)) for asking a question that i knew not the answer to. I again would like to offer my original intent of not wanting to offend, I'm deeply sorry if I have...

Humbly,
Phoenix

[White Powwow Dancer]

Women in Regalia

[WolfTears]

I wasnt going to but!

Ok here it is .. There are some things that should be left as they were ment to be . The men have their regalia an the women have theirs an that is as it should be . The problem with today is everyone is trying to mix it up make it what it was not suppose to be hence we have so much that is not right with mother earth now . Take it back the way it was , dont try an bring to it what it was never ment to be .
Let our heritage speak for itself . Be who you are . WE cant change who we were born an I for one dont want to . If you want to dance then do it in the proper way .
I am not going to rip you a new one but I for one would not take kindly to seeing a woman in a mans regalia just because they feel a warrior in there heart . I am a former Marine I earned my feathers . An I would never AN I mean never dress in a manner that was not ment for me . So you are round ... Find a style of dance that fits who you are an dance with respect .
That is the problem today we have so many ppl doing things they have no idea what its meaning is . Learn understand that the creator sent us to the families we were ment to spend time with learn that culture an if you are lucky enough to share some of ours so be it .
Becareful where you tred some wont take it so kindly .
The elders have good reason why they do not answer . Take that with a ton of salt .
Ok its time for me to go to sleep before I really say something rude.:devil

[Heinz57]

Re: Thanx!

Originally posted by PhoenixFire
I have looked long and hard for a tolerant elder willing to take on a student ((In fact I have had no replys to any of my letters))

Well maybe there's your answer....If the elders aren't tolerant of your intentions don't you think it would be disrespectful to continue your quest...Oh hell if your white be white whats so bad about it?

[WolfTears]

Is not even gonna get started on this one .. I will just say what I always say be who you were born !

[PhoenixFire]

I couldn't pass the physical requirements... I'm too outtashape.... Like round LOL