How did you start dancing??

[Selina]

How did you all start dancing?

Was your mother or grandmother or any other relative a traditional dancer?

How did you learn it?
Did your mother teach you, or your grandmother?
Did you learn it by yourself?

And who had the greatest influence on you regarding dancing?

[ctryprincess]

hi selina, I don't dance as of yet. I know how though. I'm waiting for the future hub to get to hunting and get me some skins!! I can't wait to start the beadwork, but I want to get my hides just right first. In this time I'm doing a lot of research, sketching out some designs, thanks for your wonderful website. I plan on dancing this way because I'm older now. I used to dance fancy shawl when I was young. I've had a lil one, and am not as small as I used to be, working on it! I don't feel like shakin' all my stuff anymore, I might hurt myself or someone else!! *LOL* :D

I've learned by growing up in the arbor, watching the older women dance as they did. That's about all I used to do before I started twirling to the beat.

No one in my immediate family dances this style, nor had they. I'm choosing this, because... well, I've always felt that it chose ME a long time ago! :) I'm finally answering that call!

[Selina]

thanks for your kind words!

I wish you all the best with your beadwork projects!
If you have anymore questions just ask!

Glad if I can help!

Hope we see the finished projects!

CU
:D

[ctryprincess]

of course! I'll let you see what I'm up to, my progress! I'll let you know when I start in earnest!! :)

[lynxclan83]

in the future

Hi, i too are hoping to start dancing in the future. I used to dance when i was young, like under 11. That was before my grandmother passed. She's the one that incourged me to dance, took me to all the powwows with her. I was so proud of her, yet at that time i was too young to fully appriate it. My grandmother was "the lady of the jingle dress". you know the story about the sick grandDaughter, yeah that was my kokum. Her name was Maggie White. very repected women. well anyways, im hoping to back on that powwow trail, as soon as i get my jingledress. im now 23, and im hoping i never forget how to dance, like my grandmother.

[StandnWolf]

:

How did you all start dancing?

Was your mother or grandmother or any other relative a traditional dancer?

How did you learn it?
Did your mother teach you, or your grandmother?
Did you learn it by yourself?

And who had the greatest influence on you regarding dancing?

Great question! I started dancing outside the circle when i was too young to know what i was doing. I imatated the Tradish women, even had my own little shawl...lol! My G/parents encouraged me to dance and watch and learn. After they passed, it was a long time before I went to a gathering. Finally, I started going, just to be close to the drum, and my heart opened up and i made up my mind i would start again.
My first year out I wore cloth and danced Tradish. The next year I was in hide and came to know what wearing hide meant, there are certain ways you have to carry yourself when in hide too.
A few years ago a friend of mine "outed" me at an event because I am a Vietnam vetern, I was gifted a dance and to go on and make it my own. It's a Warrior's dance, like the men's, but a little more subdued, so not to offend others.
I have been dancing Warrior stlye ever since, and I know it's right, cause when I dance, it feels wonderful and free!
Bless the friend who finally got me out of my shell and doing what I am supposed to do! Taking my place with the other Vets and being welcomed home, no one ever gave me that until then. Bless you guys and women in uniform!

[littleredblanket]

How did you all start dancing?

Was your mother or grandmother or any other relative a traditional dancer?

How did you learn it?
Did your mother teach you, or your grandmother?
Did you learn it by yourself?

And who had the greatest influence on you regarding dancing?

I have been dancing since before I could walk. My mom and grandmother would bring me out to dance in my cradle board and when I got old enough I would dance on my own...sometimes I would dance with the men and dance their style but I was only like two or three so they didn't mind and besides...I was darn cute baby. My mom and my grandmother both taught me by example on how to dance and I learned from watching the grandmothers and great grandmothers of my tribe as they moved gracefully around the circle. The one who had the greatest influence on me was my mom who is the best woman in the world and my grandmother who is the other best woman in the world they share a place of honor in my heart and when I dance it is for them because they are no longer able to dance anymore. My mom for physical reasons even though she still tries to dance but it is getting harder for her to push her walker around a full circle...and my grandmother because she no longer walks this earth but dance on the otherside with her mom and dad and all her sisters. Those are the reasons I dance and who influenced me the most in my dancing. And it is because of the pride they instilled in me that I hold my head up and look to the creator as I dance and pray for them. I just hope they know how much I love them and appreciate them and am proud of them for being such strong, beautiful, and proud Spokane women.

Ok now that I am done...I have a paper due and must work on it somemore...lol

[SuzzeQ4]

Hi, i'm Suzze (just joined)
Well I started dancing a while ago (Fancy shawl) but I switched to Woman'e trad. 5 years ago. Being adopted out I didn't have my Mom or Grandma to teach me but I was taught by one of the elders in my community.

[Sweetsage02]

Hi, i too are hoping to start dancing in the future. I used to dance when i was young, like under 11. That was before my grandmother passed. She's the one that incourged me to dance, took me to all the powwows with her. I was so proud of her, yet at that time i was too young to fully appriate it. My grandmother was "the lady of the jingle dress". you know the story about the sick grandDaughter, yeah that was my kokum. Her name was Maggie White. very repected women. well anyways, im hoping to back on that powwow trail, as soon as i get my jingledress. im now 23, and im hoping i never forget how to dance, like my grandmother.

I KNOW MANY HAVE STARTED OUT WITH HELP FROM OUR ELDERS. MY YOUNGER SISTER WAS ADOPTED BY MAGGIE WHITE WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED DANCING. SHE WANTED TO DANCE JINGLE SO BAD & MAGGIE TOOK HER UNDER HER WING, TAUGHT HER THE DANCE, TOLD HER ABOUT THE DANCE & GAVE HER HER 1ST JINGLE DRESS. THIS DRESS WAS ONE OF MAGGIES OWN. SHE STILL HAS THE DRESS, ALTHOUGH SHE DOESN'T DANCE ANYMORE. SHE SAYS SHE IS WAITING TO GIVE THE DRESS & THE STORY BEHIND THE DRESS TO ONE OF HER OWN. MAGGIE WHITE...SHE IS JUST ONE OF THOSE WOMEN WHO ARE UNFORGETTABLE.

AS FOR MYSELF, I STARTED DANCING WHEN I FIRST STARTED WALKING. I STARTED OUT FANCY FIRST, THEN SWITCHED OVER TO TRADITIONAL WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD. THEN I TRIED JINGLE WHEN I WAS 16 & FROM THEN ON IT WAS EITHER JINGLE OR TRADITIONAL. I DON'T DANCE NOWADAYS BUT ALL 5 OF MY GIRLS DO. THEY ALWAYS TELL ME "MOM, YOU SHOULD DANCE AGAIN"...AND I TELL THEM THAT I WILL DANCE AGAIN WITH THEM ONE DAY SOON.

[Sweetsage02]

I Forgot To Mention My Biggest Influences In Teaching Me To Dance Were My Grandparents. They Had A Rather Large Family Who Traveled (together) The Powwow Trail Throughout The U.s. & Canda.

[superndngyrl]

Q. How did you start dancing?
A. My mom dressed me in Cloth style and brought me into the arena soon as I could walk. But I really got into dancing when I was in Junior high -- i met other girls my age and we started hanging out every weekend. Then I got my buckskin dress when I was a freshman in high school and I really started hitting the pow-wow trail.

Q. Was your mother or grandmother or any other relative a traditional dancer?
A. My mom was Otoe Princess but she didn't really dance besides that year. I have many relatives that dance though (on my mom's side). On my dad's side there's a few here and there. My dad dances but not contest style!

Q. How did you learn it?
Did your mother teach you, or your grandmother?
Did you learn it by yourself?

A. I learned from watching other women or my aunts at pow-wows. Then my mom would give us tips and we'd practice at home by dancing to tapes or my dad would sing for us. Dang that was fun!

Q. And who had the greatest influence on you regarding dancing?

A. My parents do. They like to watch me dance and basically only attend pow-wows if they know I'm going to dance. Otherwise they'll just go to the casino. haha

O yea! My honey loves to pow-wow as much as I do and my lil boy loves singing at pow-wows even though he's only 16 mos, so I am influenced by their love of pow-wows too!

So without them influencing me, I'd just be a pow-wow spectator now.

[Sweetsage02]

O YES...I REMEMBER THEM DAYS OF HAVING OUR LITTLE PRACTICE SESSIONS WITH MY FAM...YUP YUP THOSE WERE THE DAYS!! THESE DAYS MY GIRLS & I HAVE SOOO MUCH FUN WITH OUR DANCE SESSIONS !!

[Sweetsage02]

O YES...I REMEMBER THEM DAYS OF HAVING OUR LITTLE PRACTICE SESSIONS WITH MY FAM...YUP YUP THOSE WERE THE DAYS!! THESE DAYS I MY GIRLS...WE HAVE SOOO MUCH FUN WITH OUR DANCE SESSIONS !!

HAHA...DON'T MIND THIS ONE HERE...KINDA MESSED UP WITH IT & DIDN'T MAKE SENSE!! SORRY 'BOUT THAT!!

[WhoMe]

This is a really good question.

Some tribes have important protocol for starting to dance.

Others just simply start because they have a desire to do so or their parents make them dance.