To Start Again

[tohani]

Hi, I'm here because I know I need the support in battling to dance again for years now. I'm 33 years old and I have always been taught the old ways, our values and being a strong native woman. I have the tools, the resources, the passion but I need a boost here. I was brought up in the pow-wow circle and I did fancy and loved it! My mother always put an emphasis on how important our traditional Navajo ways are and the love of dancing was in her but just never had the spirit to dance. To fulfill her love and passion she took us to a pow-wow [my sister and 3 brothers] when we were young [the youngest barely walking] and so she went on to making our outfits, taught herself to bead and then taught us to bead as well, she sewed and made designs and still to this day she makes them for everyone including the youngest who is now in high school.

Where I am lost in this is when I left home at 18 I joined the service and went to so many places had a great time experiencing the exciting life. So here I am after served my country for 15 years and now a combat vet, a mother and a wife there is one thing that is missing my heart longs to dance again. I just don't know where to start, I don't want to look a fool because I did lose my rhythm. Last year was the first time in 15 years I put my hands on beads and a sewing machine again. I never forgot to bead, sew and design and to my surprise I made my son's grass outfits along with other beadwork.... ..I was amazed to how I never lost it, but I wish I had this energy and motivation to dance again.

I have been working on a southern cloth dress for months now, living in Texas is kind of hard to find good pow-wows and a native circuit to get the support. Home is where all the supplies, the markets and the pow-wows are, I am here looking for a circle in nearby Austin-Killeen area to bring some familiarity and interest alike. So, if you are in Texas I'd love to get to know ya!

My mother and sister support me in every way they can, but they are far from here. I need an uplift and to be around people who can help me find my spirit to dance again. I have proudly served my country and sacrificed a lot and since I've been back from my experience as a soldier I want to show how much I appreciate the prayers, support and the love I got from my people.

I am so proud of my people and who I am.....dancing is how I want to show my thanks to the Great Creator and the people. I want to dance for our disabled soldiers & vets and to our fallen heroes.

Much Luv and Respect!
Thanks! ---Tohani

[ac_miss]

Wow, welcome to Texas! You're probably in the same boat as I am. I've danced since I was able to walk and danced until I was about 22 years old. I'm now 30, and I have been longing to dance but just never made myself do it. My daughter was born in January last year, so that should motivate me in some ways, but it hasn't. Lately, all I've been doing is beading. I bead all of my niece's beadwork and if I have time, I try to bead for others who are in need of it but I mainly bead for family.

I can't sew. I let my mom do that, but I do have a sewing machine and have yet to start sewing.

I live in southeast Texas in Livingston, on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation. We have monthly benefit pow-wows the first Saturday of each month until June 6-7 when our annual pow-wow is held. I know there's a pow-wow in Dallas this weekend. My brother and sister are going to that one.

Sorry, I don't know much about pow-wows in yous area except the Austin Pow-wow which is held the first Saturday of November. Oh, I think there's also the Four Winds Pow-wow held in Killeen and I do believe that is in September. I've never been to that one.

Well, I wish you luck! As we get older our knees and other bones and joints tend to get stiff. Take care!

[Eagle Plumes]

I think you are on the rite track , im so very proud of you for serving us Thank-You. As far as the dancing go's practice, practice, in you'r home somewhere, it will come back easily because that never leaves us I believe we just need to dig it out at times. When my mother pass'd I quit "even though I know that's not what she would of wanted" So when I felt it was time to return I first practiced at home and found i wasnt all that off as I thought I was, but take your time , it will happon.

[tohani]

Thx ladies!
I really do appreciate the quick response and I do have taken every word to mind. I have been to Killeen and Austin Pow-Wows and they are really good ones to go to. I was wondering if there were more out here, more frequent ones. I noticed they are spread out in dates, I'm used to thinking like the pow-wows back home and they happen every week-end.
I'm not back on the rez....

For starters I need to slowly get back into it, but my son always ask "when are we going to the pow-wow?"
My mother mention to me a huge pow-wow that happens in Dallas and Houston [what are they?]

I miss the Waco pow-wow only because the little one was sick with a fever. I will definitely keep the Dallas, Alabama-Coushatta, and Georgetown Pow-wows in mind. Thanks!

Again I do appreciate the words and I the tips you gave it helps to get some insight on what I need to do. Do you have any suggestions on songs and groups I might start practicing on??

Talk to you ladies later...

Ciao!
Tohani

[ac_miss]

Hmmm..... you could probably check on Traders Village and look for Special Events. They have a pow-wow at the Houston and Grand Prairie locations every year. The Houston one is usually in the Fall, I think in November???? The Grand Prairie one is in September. They're both contest pow-wows and it's usually nice.

If I know any more, I'll let you know.

[lollipoplicks]

Welcome back to dancing, it seems to me that you are on the right path!