rushing into dancing

[musicedu77]

What do you think about those who rush into dancing without knowing/participating their community (dances etc..)?
I see so many ppl who were never raised ndn and they go to 1 powwow and all of a sudden they want to dance. Some of them do go through the give away and some of them dont.

[between2worlds]

I'm not really sure that it would be my place to judge whether some one person's path is "righter" than some other person's path.

For myself, it was right to wait to be invited back into the circle after some decades absence in an area far from where I grew up.

For me it was a long and deeply contemplated decision to even consider returning to the circle.

For myself, it has always been MORE important to help in the communities in any way I can be of assistance - even more important than being in the circle.

But then that's just me.

[trob226]

I'm not really sure that it would be my place to judge whether some one person's path is "righter" than some other person's path.

For myself, it was right to wait to be invited back into the circle after some decades absence in an area far from where I grew up.

For me it was a long and deeply contemplated decision to even consider returning to the circle.

For myself, it has always been MORE important to help in the communities in any way I can be of assistance - even more important than being in the circle.

But then that's just me.

Not just you. I agree with everything you said.

[superndngyrl]

Does everyone know that pow-wows aren't the defining factor of being Indian? You either are or you aren't.

and pow-wow dancing... its like sometimes you get the call to dance and then other times you're not feeling it. If people want to dance, and they come out in the arena with grace and style, why not welcome them in? does it really matter if they decided to dance yesterday or whether it was 10 years ago?

[trob226]

Does everyone know that pow-wows aren't the defining factor of being Indian? You either are or you aren't.

and pow-wow dancing... its like sometimes you get the call to dance and then other times you're not feeling it. If people want to dance, and they come out in the arena with grace and style, why not welcome them in? does it really matter if they decided to dance yesterday or whether it was 10 years ago?

B2W and I were speaking for ourselves. He is an Indian - I am not. I have some Indian ancestry but I am white, and for me, I'd have to feel like I earned a place in the circle. Not everybody feels that way. If that's OK with the people behind the powwow for people to "rush in," that's OK with me too.

[WocusWoman]

I agree with her. It's what the person does, once they are in the circle. It's up to an individual to decide when they are ready, and not for others to judge. People should really be honest with themselves about this, because it is a serious thing, not just dancing powwow, but other aspects of living life. If a person makes the mistake of rushing into the circle, believe me they likely will be confronted and have to deal with the consequences of that decision sooner or later. Something or someone will take it upon themselves to question a person, who was not ready and that person will not know what to do or say. With me it was a natural thing, since I was brought to the circle as a small child, but I realize that this all may be new to an adult or non-native. I try and help when asked, but I do so with honesty.

[Singing Eagle]

Does everyone know that pow-wows aren't the defining factor of being Indian? You either are or you aren't.

and pow-wow dancing... its like sometimes you get the call to dance and then other times you're not feeling it. If people want to dance, and they come out in the arena with grace and style, why not welcome them in? does it really matter if they decided to dance yesterday or whether it was 10 years ago?

This is a danm fine answer!

I am a total Nish yet I haven't had the opportunity to dance yet! Am I any less NDN - hardly.

[Nezbah]

Personally, I went with the ways that my elders have taught me, my elders in the powwow way. If it were up to my personal family navajo elders, they would have no idea. There are many dancers out there who have not gone through the right motions to dance in the respected categories. But its not my say to make judgement. I just know true to my heart what my family and son have gone through to do things in the 'right' way by what our elders have taught us. I have sought the knowledge to be able to be in dance and also passed that knowledge on.

[crazywolf]

Boozhoo niji,

I was raised white, far off the rez I claim as my own. I say that because my mother is a carded Anishinaabe. She has the minimum required blood quantum to be enrolled. I have half that amount so for me, no. I was raised in complete ignorance of any of my heritage, be it Anishinaabe or German or Swede or whatever else flows through my veins. Up until about ten years ago I was not even concerned with it.

I started going to pow wows around 11 years ago or so, just to get into the craft aspect. I was making breastplates and chokers, dream catchers and whatever. I was at my 5th pow wow wearing some of my things when I was asked if I was going to dance. When I said I didnt even know how he offered to bring me in.

Whether this was traditional or not, I dont know, but what happened, did. For once in m life I had direction and something that really meant something to me. Before I even attended my first pow wow my mother told me of my heritage, and when I asked about things about it, she could not answer any questions. She was not raised that way either, and she lived on and off the rez.

So I am dancing now, have been for around ten years, and trying to follow this path. Did I break any laws?

Derek

[CHEROSAGE]

Just a few thoughts.

First- Powwows aren't ceremonials. I do realize that there are many ceremonial activities that will occur throughout a Powwow activity, BUT the Powwow itself is not a ceremonial. We have throughout the years created activities that for a region has some what become Traditional. We must realize that as we have become more and more mobile our local "Traditions" have spread. Many "Ideas" such as our way of doing business in OK is now fairly a standard for many other locals because our people travel extensively.

I believe that there are many people who are just getting into their "NDN"self and really want to belong. They go to some Powwows and believe that the Powwow activities will make you an NDN. Just like an Eagle feather doesn't make one an NDN just because one wears it. I have seen a few Non-NDNs wear Feathers but they are still Non-NDN. Remember that not all Tribes, Bands,Villages,etc. do not have the Powwow thing in their history. These people may have been moved into an area where there are peoples who do the Powwow type activities and then started or adopted these activities. I want to recall some previous threads about this topic and remind people that this is one reason there are Stomp Dances, Gourd Dances, Black Moc. Dances, etc. performed in many Powwows.

"IF" a person does decide to start dancing at Powwows I wish them well! I would recommend that this person take some time and have some patience. Go to Powwows watch, observe what goes on in your area. Learn the protocols in your area. The things you don't understand, ask about. Meet the people who go to these events, get to know and make as many friends as you can. Seek out those who really do know things and discern those who are fake. This isn't very hard to do after a while. Don't just jump and put together a bunch of odd coordinated clothing. Be methodical about it, build your outfit well. This will take quite some time and revenue. I have seen outfits that were expensive and obviously took a lot of time to put together but were very wierd/odd looking. Learn about a style of dance you are most interested in. Our Southern Straights are based on our Tribal Ceremonial ways and dress. I say this because this is one way that I mentioned was related to real Ceremonials. We have distinct ways of putting our outfits together, things to wear, how to wear it, when to wear it, etc.. Some styles are generic. Take time and do things well.

Remember, just have fun and enjoy yourself. Good luck!!

[anishinabealltheway]

I've been dancing since I was a kid. I cant say that I have anything against any native who wants to dance I love to see it. The more the merrier I say. CHEROSAGE is right a Pow wow isn't a ceremony everyone is welcome and that is the way it should be.

[Zeke]

Powwows are a thing, just like cockfights and rodeos. In general, they have no historical, religious, anthropological or traditional importance. (Charging spectators $7.50 to support air conditioned buildings showcasing a psuedo-Indian swap meet?) If you have people who pay $$$ and come to "see what the Injuns are doing," it's not important to get all huffy and self-righteous about what they're seeing.

Of course, some do anyway. Me? I don't care who dances. I don't care what they're wearing. Short of being rude or obnoxious, I don't care what they do. Show up, spend your money, buy a $2.50 Coke and dance all you want.

If sodas aren't available For Sale at the event, I'd start wondering who invited you. (Or me, for that matter!) :)

That's when you know somebody, somewhere, is doing something SERIOUS.

[NativePassion]

A question of my own.

Now I must repond to this post with a question of my own. This is actually perfect for me. I am just about as white as a man can get. I Grass Dance. I danced at a few local Pow-Wows, nothing major. One or two a local community colleg and a few in a few gyms. Nothing special. I haven't danced for a few years. Now it is only a matter of time before I get back into the circle. And after that it is only a matter of time before I dance somewhere signifigant to me, not just a gym or auditorium or dance studio, but an actual pow-wow Is there some way that I should go about doing this? Should I register as a dancer and just show up or should I go and wait and hope to be invited into the circle? I know that people have said that it is okay to just go right in but I want to know for sure. I have all possible respect for all natives, and for the dancing which I want to be a part of. And out of that respect I want to do wahtever is in keeping with tradition, and the teachings of the elders. No matter what that may mean in terms of how long I have to wait to dance again.

[Zeke]

Personally, I don't care if you're plaid! :)

"Come dance."

Powwows are -- by definition -- Intertribal, open and "come as you are." I sense a fine attitude and some respect: I don't see an issue, friend.

[raven hair]

raven hair

I also was raised white by adoptive parents and have very little knowledge of my heritage. My first pow wow was very moving for me and it's a place i had a feeling of belonging in my heart but also a feeling of being an outsider. I have danced in an intertribal a number of times but wondered if I was in fact welcome. I have just started making a dance shawl and I hope a dress to follow. I am happy to hear that everyone is welcome to dance if they have respect.