Am I able to Dance?

[SmilingOtter]

Hello,

I am new to this site, and I really would appreciate some answered questions, please.

I'm 50% Siksika, and 50% Irish. With me not being all Native, would/does that prevent me from dancing? I do not know a lot on Pow Wows and my mother (the Native side of me), is not in the picture. My dream has always been to learn, but I do not know how to go about finding someone to teach me how to dance? I've been learning all I can from a family that goes to Pow Wows about this subject.

Please, I really want to learn on how to dance, I just don't know if I am able and where to start.

I live in Ohio, the Toledo area.

[wanjica_the_one]

Hello,

I am new to this site, and I really would appreciate some answered questions, please.

I'm 50% Siksika, and 50% Irish. With me not being all Native, would/does that prevent me from dancing? I do not know a lot on Pow Wows and my mother (the Native side of me), is not in the picture. My dream has always been to learn, but I do not know how to go about finding someone to teach me how to dance? I've been learning all I can from a family that goes to Pow Wows about this subject.

Please, I really want to learn on how to dance, I just don't know if I am able and where to start.

I live in Ohio, the Toledo area.

You can be 100% white and still be able to dance. There are white folk who do dance and who have done the proper steps to getting permission. The only problem is that you are in Ohio.

[Joe's Dad]

Hello,

I am new to this site, and I really would appreciate some answered questions, please.

I'm 50% Siksika, and 50% Irish. With me not being all Native, would/does that prevent me from dancing? I do not know a lot on Pow Wows and my mother (the Native side of me), is not in the picture. My dream has always been to learn, but I do not know how to go about finding someone to teach me how to dance? I've been learning all I can from a family that goes to Pow Wows about this subject.

Please, I really want to learn on how to dance, I just don't know if I am able and where to start.

I live in Ohio, the Toledo area.

How many feet you got?

[wardancer]

Obviously ! He's in OHIO......they all have 2 left feet in OHIO !!! They will have to spend some time in INDIANA to get their right feet....and then on to Pennsylvania for their rhythm !!!

[wardancer]

Just joking SO...Anyone can learn to dance.....well almost . Really there are few restrictions . I think as wanji said , you're at a disadvantage in Ohio , because of "The Elder Factor" Finding an elder to learn from will be your biggest obstacle !

[<<~BehindNDNeyez~>>]

Of course u can!! I myself am not am not full blooded. My firt pow wow happened to be when I was too small to remember, but it was years until I went to another. I struggled for a long time with the same question. I say go for it!! When I dance it feels so special and empowering. Once you step into the circle and find your own rythmm it is pretty easy. So yea definitely get out there were and dance! Strength and traditions have always been strong values in our community and take it from me, you will feel it.

[SmilingOtter]

Thank you all for your answers.

I am female, just fyi, 22. I hope my age doesn't deter me from finding someone to teach me! Well, there are aplenty of Pow Wows here, well, not as much in other states. I'm actually going to one on October 1st.

So, basically, I need to find someone willing to teach me? Umm, how do I go about that? I'd feel odd just to...randomly ask? xD

[Eagle Plumes]

Never to old to learn. If it is something you want to do go , watch and take it all in.

[wanjica_the_one]

Thank you all for your answers.

I am female, just fyi, 22. I hope my age doesn't deter me from finding someone to teach me! Well, there are aplenty of Pow Wows here, well, not as much in other states. I'm actually going to one on October 1st.

So, basically, I need to find someone willing to teach me? Umm, how do I go about that? I'd feel odd just to...randomly ask? xD

take tobacco to an authentic northern plains dancer from an actual northern plains tribe not someone from the white caucasian midwest region with their wannabee cloth applique regalia. i wouldn't take <<~BehindNDNeyez~>>'s advice for i don't think she knows what to do because if you "step into the circle and find your own rythmn." you may find out that your rythmn is wrong.

[wardancer]

wanjica the wise always gives good advice !

[Weopsit Walt]

Don't forget that great Native American teacher Eutoobay. Just kidding, Youtube is a good way to pick up the basics; toe-heel, two beats on each foot. Which can be surprisingly difficult at first when you have a life time of doing one beat on each foot. But once you get it, you got it.
Even in Ohio they have Arena Directors who are not afraid to nicely tell you if you are doing something seriously wrong or disrespecful. (Half-naked drunks with a feather taped to their forehead will not be tolerated).
Listen to the MC, he will tell you when it's an "Intertribal" or "All Dance". That's your cue to get out there. If you weren't listening but you see that everyone out there is in full regalia and doing some fancy steps, you can be sure it's a dance that you should just watch.

[wanjica_the_one]

Don't forget that great Native American teacher Eutoobay. Just kidding, Youtube is a good way to pick up the basics; toe-heel, two beats on each foot. Which can be surprisingly difficult at first when you have a life time of doing one beat on each foot. But once you get it, you got it.

Youtube doesn't accept tobacco. Smilingotter needs to make first contact with a real live person, hopefully no one from Ohio or Pennsylvania.

[neling4]

I'm from Ohio, and I learned from someone in Ohio. She was recommended to me from someone on the Cherokee rez in North Carolina. All is not lost.


Check out this site:

http://naicco.org/

It is the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio.

"The Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO) was founded in 1975 by Selma L. Walker, a Dakota woman from the Yankton Reservation, SD. She served as the Executive Director for 18 years. In 1993, NAICCO’S Board of Trustees elected her daughter, Carol Welsh to serve as Executive Director."

I have met Mrs. Welsh. She is the real thing, not a "wannabe". This organization should be able to help you.

[wanjica_the_one]

I'm from Ohio, and I learned from someone in Ohio. She was recommended to me from someone on the Cherokee rez in North Carolina. All is not lost.


Check out this site:

http://naicco.org/

It is the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio.

"The Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO) was founded in 1975 by Selma L. Walker, a Dakota woman from the Yankton Reservation, SD. She served as the Executive Director for 18 years. In 1993, NAICCO’S Board of Trustees elected her daughter, Carol Welsh to serve as Executive Director."

I have met Mrs. Welsh. She is the real thing, not a "wannabe". This organization should be able to help you.

Thanks Neling!

[WhoMe]

Smilin',

At some point, you ought to make it a point to visit Gleichen, Alberta to connect with your mother's people.