New Shawl Dancer looking for information.

[Takomai]

I've come to you in a pursuit of knowledge, mainly about shawl dancing and the guide-line to stay as a respectful shawl dancer, instead of disrespected, so that I may know what to look for. I've yet to start learning how to shawl dance and wish to learn all the guide-lines before I work on learning my footwork and outfit.

The main question is, what are the guide-lines for respectful/disrespectful? My great grandmother had always talked about how native women were always proud. To me from what I read 'new style' shawl dancing would almost look disrespectful to her. However finding a way to incorporate a shawl in my work would be harder if I follow strict standards. However the 'old style' seems interesting in the form of elaborate footwork part of the dance would need to be emphasized by my shawl correct?

My next question is, What form of footwork would I need? A lot of the shawl dancers I see now only spin, and spinning to me with the heavy steps they take don't seem very graceful. While I understand the need for light footwork, what would be the terms I could use a little less light steps, and how far would I be able to go before it could cause a major issue? I realize that light steps 100% of the time would be best, but sometime that isn't a choice from the start. which brings me to the question of, what kind of exercises would you suggest to help me with becoming more light-footed? I live on 165 acres of trees and have more than enough room to run and willing to try just about anything. However I have asthma (which I am learning to cope with and control) which may be a huge factor at this point in time.

The next question would have to be, do you have any dancers with videos online that you would recommend seeing so that I may work on hammering a style? i.e. Favorite shawl dancers old and new style.

My last question grouping I can think of, is what is the history behind Fancy Shawl Dancing? I realize there are many variations of this dances history, but sometime that helps create a style. Do I have to dance like a butterfly? While it makes sense cause of the shawl, that would be difficult with strict guide-lines to the old style of shawl dancing. How often should I do the spins and kicks? My family talks about how it seems how all the girls do now is spin and kick, and how it used to be. When would be a good time to do these, during honor beats, every few beats or sparingly?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm just trying to understand the style as a whole from many view-points, so that I may learn what is accepted and what is an absolute 'No-no' as my great grandmother would say.

Thank you for your time, sorry if this was hard to understand. Any information is more than welcome and much appreciated.
`Takomai

[Kamama]

There is a video out there somewhere of one of the original shawlers doing the old skool footwork. I dont remember where I found it at, but, it is out there. Shes an older lady now, and is using more of a traditional shawl in the video. I wish I could be of more help on this.
As far as your questions, Ill try to answer the best way that I can. I hope that I answer correctly.
Respectful = When you go to make your outfit, make sure that you make it in a way that your whowhos and your hahas are covered. Make sure that if you go with a flared skirt, that when you spin, it doesnt show to much skin. Below the knee may be o.k., as your leggins should cover alot of that area. When you go to make your shawl, make sure that when your arms are extended, that the shawl still covers your bum. If youre wanting to use applique, make sure you dont use other Nations/Family's symbols/designs. Stick with your own Peoples, or use something that means something to you.
If your wanting to go more old skool, you would still use alot of the same footwork, just you wouldnt be kicking it or spinning it up as much. Keep your feet closer to the ground, dont worry about your feet doing something super fancy on every down beat. And if its a super fast song, and you feel like you cant keep up, go with every other down beat, just as long as you are on time with the Drum. In this case, with old skool, simpler is better, in my opinion.
I feel the same with the outfit in this style. Simpler is better, and to me, I feel would be more Old Skool.
History=From my understanding, and dont quote me on this, as there are many stories out there on where this dance style came from. Fancy Shawl didnt actually come about until like the 60's or 70's, I dont remember which. It was started by a small group of women that wanted to do a little more with there Dancing, yet they still wanted to remain respectful, therefore they came up with Fancy Shawl. Theres a little more to that version of the story, but, thats the best I remember right now. You do not have to dance like a butterfly, but, you do need to be graceful, dont stomp the ground while youre dancing, be easy. I was also taught that for the spins, the best times to do those are during the honor beats, same with the fancier kicks, etc. But, again, that depends on old skool v/s contemporary.
I wish you luck with your research on this, and I hope Ive been helpful in some small way. Im telling you these things the way that I was taught them by other Shawl Dancers who have helped me out along my journey. I hope you get more responces to help you as well.
Much luck! And have fun Dancing :)

[rayofsun]

i think its good that your trying to learn so much, questions are good, that way when you go to dance your not confused in any way, and you can just work on your dancing after knowing all there is to know about it. i agree with kamama make sure your regalia is not showing too much skin, people will notice. as far as the history of the dance i would have to say yes you are supposed to resemble a butterfly, the dance is graceful, and your shawl is like your wings, but there is more to the story... asthma you say? hmmm, i would say yes it would be a factor because the beat can get really fast, but i think you can do it if you really wanna do this :) as for learning the dance i will say watch every video you can... and try to pay attention to the footwork. and if you want to get physically fit for the dance i'd say running/jogging, but thats purely up to you, but make sure you practice practice practice! get familiar with the dance, and i think you'll do fine. hope you find the answers to all your questions! keep dancing.

[Grits & Beans]

i'll keep an eye out for links and post them here. it is also a good idea to watch pow wow videos, i'm sure there are plenty on youtube.

[Iowa_Boy]

I'll intrude just briefly into the women's stuff.......

The "butterfly" story is only found among certain groups, other groups have their own origins. It began in several differences places under similiar circumstances as early as the 50s and as late as the 70s.

search youtube for "old style fancy shawl" and you'll see some vids, certain powwows separate "old style" from "contemporary" or they have specials.

[Czechy]

Unfortunately, Kentucky does not have very many good powwows except maybe Hopkinsville. And the KY Derby powwow if they get that started up again. So, unless you can get out of state, you'll be better off watching the online videos. There is a commercial videotape or DVD you can get on shawl dancing and its history. Most powwows suppliers carry it.

You will also need to learn how to dance to double beat songs.

[Sunktaki]

And don't forget the crow hop

[Kamama]

Czechy is right, theres not alot of powwows in KY that Im familiar with. I only know of Shephardsville, and oh shoot, Elizabethtown or something like that. I went to Shephardsville last year, not to bad, (not ALOT of shawl Dancers) and will probably be going to E-town this year. But, yea, keep searching for videos. If I can find any old skool ones where you can see whats going on with the feet, Ill post em.

[Kamama]

def. need more double beats, Ive been saying that for years. I could use the practice on those. LOL

[MTn8ive86]

I've come to you in a pursuit of knowledge, mainly about shawl dancing and the guide-line to stay as a respectful shawl dancer, instead of disrespected, so that I may know what to look for. I've yet to start learning how to shawl dance and wish to learn all the guide-lines before I work on learning my footwork and outfit.

The main question is, what are the guide-lines for respectful/disrespectful? My great grandmother had always talked about how native women were always proud. To me from what I read 'new style' shawl dancing would almost look disrespectful to her. However finding a way to incorporate a shawl in my work would be harder if I follow strict standards. However the 'old style' seems interesting in the form of elaborate footwork part of the dance would need to be emphasized by my shawl correct?

My next question is, What form of footwork would I need? A lot of the shawl dancers I see now only spin, and spinning to me with the heavy steps they take don't seem very graceful. While I understand the need for light footwork, what would be the terms I could use a little less light steps, and how far would I be able to go before it could cause a major issue? I realize that light steps 100% of the time would be best, but sometime that isn't a choice from the start. which brings me to the question of, what kind of exercises would you suggest to help me with becoming more light-footed? I live on 165 acres of trees and have more than enough room to run and willing to try just about anything. However I have asthma (which I am learning to cope with and control) which may be a huge factor at this point in time.

The next question would have to be, do you have any dancers with videos online that you would recommend seeing so that I may work on hammering a style? i.e. Favorite shawl dancers old and new style.

My last question grouping I can think of, is what is the history behind Fancy Shawl Dancing? I realize there are many variations of this dances history, but sometime that helps create a style. Do I have to dance like a butterfly? While it makes sense cause of the shawl, that would be difficult with strict guide-lines to the old style of shawl dancing. How often should I do the spins and kicks? My family talks about how it seems how all the girls do now is spin and kick, and how it used to be. When would be a good time to do these, during honor beats, every few beats or sparingly?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm just trying to understand the style as a whole from many view-points, so that I may learn what is accepted and what is an absolute 'No-no' as my great grandmother would say.

Thank you for your time, sorry if this was hard to understand. Any information is more than welcome and much appreciated.
`Takomai

Wow you have a lot of well worded questions. The best way that I can tell you so that your not overwhelmed is to learn as you go. There is sooo much information in all of the questions you are asking and you will get a DIFFERENT answer from EVERY SINGLE person you ask.
I was told by my friends grandparents, from north dakota, that the best way to be respectful is to be modest. There are many dancers that have flared skirts(fans out as you spin) and then there are many dancers that have A-line skirts (goes straight down like any other skirt but at an angle). The flared skirts show a lot of leg, and the a-lines not as much. The showing of your legs when your dancing can't be helped sometimes cuz of the wind or what have you but my friends grandpa said that he felt disrespected with all these women spinning around showing their legs, spandex and some of them underwear. So modesty is the best policy on that one.
Another way to be respectful is to be kind and respectful to every dancer and also to different tribes and their customs. Most powwows I have gone to dance in a CLOCKWISE direction around the arena, but there are some that dance counter-clockwise like in the northwestern united states. But listen to your Announcer at the powwows and they will generally explain, or you can go with the crowd (i've done that before.)
In response to your respect of your Old Style, that is a loaded question. There are many different era's of old style. I suggest you pick the style that YOU want to dance and would be comfortable. There are so many different tribes that have their own version of old style fancy.
As far as youtube videos, just type in Fancy Shawl in the search and there are TONS of videos. I recommend you develop your own graceful style. There are many dancers that prefer not to have people copying them to the T. so just pick up moves here and there and have fun with it. There are different song styles too. So knowing the straight song, crow hop, double beat, and ruffle will be beneficial to you. there are videos of all of these styles as well.
As far as spinning goes, you do it when your comfortable and the more you dance the more you will feel comfortable. There is a controversy going on as far as double beats, some people prefer a straight old style double beat and some prefer fancy. i suggest the old style because thats how its supposed to be danced.

The most important thing is that you dance YOUR style of fancy shawl. Don't worry about what everyone else is thinking. You will learn a lot as you go. Its a new dance style so a lot of people that dance the category learn new things every powwow.

I hope this helps you out. Let me know if you have any other questions.