New to the Cloth Style & Lots of Q's

[*Powwow_Princess*]

Hi, I haven't really danced in over a year due to a car accident but I am healed now and plan on getting back on the powwow trail. I have been given a beautiful set of red beadwork and I was thinking about getting into the cloth style except I have very little background in it and was wondering if there is a northern style as well and what the differences were. I would like to have a black velvet dress made with long buckskin fringes hanging from the 'sleeves' to the floor. Would this be considered cloth style and would it be northern or southern? I know this is all subjective but I am interested in others' opinions. Also what else is specific to the cloth style? Thanks.

[luvstraightdancrs]

Hi, I haven't really danced in over a year due to a car accident but I am healed now and plan on getting back on the powwow trail. I have been given a beautiful set of red beadwork and I was thinking about getting into the cloth style except I have very little background in it and was wondering if there is a northern style as well and what the differences were. I would like to have a black velvet dress made with long buckskin fringes hanging from the 'sleeves' to the floor. Would this be considered cloth style and would it be northern or southern? I know this is all subjective but I am interested in others' opinions. Also what else is specific to the cloth style? Thanks.

What you are describing is a version of Northern Tradish, sometimes calles Northern Cloth. If you are entitled to it, wear it. If it's not your tribal style of clothes or the right wasn't given to you, then don't.
Glad to hear that you have recovered from your accident and are wanting to dance again. But this is not a style that everyone is entitled to - just my opinion.

[*Powwow_Princess*]

Thanks for your input. I agree totally with the whole entitlement thing. That is why I wanted to make sure that what I was wanting to make would be considered Northern because I do have a Northern Style Buckskin dress and have been allowed to dance that style and I consider two my tribes to be Northern (Colville and Fon du Lac Ojibwa). I do not want to make a dress that would be considered a Southern style dress because I am not from a Southern tribe. I would feel uncomfortable dancing a style that is not wholly my own. Thanks again.

[Ivanasnagu]

I Don't Get It

If you are indeed Colville and Fon du Lac Ojibwa then you should have an idea what your tribal dresses look like. If you honestly don't know, talk to your family and attend a couple of tribal dances. That will answer all your questions.