In Need of Some Serious Advice!!!

[campbellsiouxpfam]

Hey everyone, I am new to this site...I've browsed here before but finally joined. First off, my husband and I both grew up on the Pine Ridge Rez and we are living on Camp Pendleton in California right now because he is a Marine...we want to get out girls who are going to be 4 & 5 in a few weeks, into dancing, jiingle to be precise I guess my question is what are suggestions for starter dresses for them? Also, are there any suggestions for us, we grew up on the rez but we don't know all the proper eqtiquette for dancing...I have cousins who have danced but that was A LONG time ago...Can we just take our girls out and have them start dancing?? I hope any veteran dancers out there can give us some advice....
OH, almost forgot, does anyone know of any powwows nearby here, in Southern Cali??
Thanks for any replies, it is greatly appreciated!!!
the Campbell Fam

[mnibozan]

Hey everyone, I am new to this site...I've browsed here before but finally joined. First off, my husband and I both grew up on the Pine Ridge Rez and we are living on Camp Pendleton in California right now because he is a Marine...we want to get out girls who are going to be 4 & 5 in a few weeks, into dancing, jiingle to be precise I guess my question is what are suggestions for starter dresses for them? Also, are there any suggestions for us, we grew up on the rez but we don't know all the proper eqtiquette for dancing...I have cousins who have danced but that was A LONG time ago...Can we just take our girls out and have them start dancing?? I hope any veteran dancers out there can give us some advice....
OH, almost forgot, does anyone know of any powwows nearby here, in Southern Cali??
Thanks for any replies, it is greatly appreciated!!!
the Campbell Fam

Well first off i would like to say that i have danced jingle dressed since i was a young girl. And as for a dress for young gyrls just starting out make them simple they would rather play then dance cause i have children LOL! My personal advice for kids just starting off i would strongly suggest a good role model to help them start or to dance with them like your self or a good friend so they may learn to love it. and as far as taking them out and letting them dance that is the way to do it, take them and let them dance as there is no intordution to the dancing arena like there is for young boys. And I am sure there is alot of powwows around there in california look the indian casinos and just ask around and make calls...

[n8tivechick]

Well first off i would like to say that i have danced jingle dressed since i was a young girl. And as for a dress for young gyrls just starting out make them simple they would rather play then dance cause i have children LOL! My personal advice for kids just starting off i would strongly suggest a good role model to help them start or to dance with them like your self or a good friend so they may learn to love it. and as far as taking them out and letting them dance that is the way to do it, take them and let them dance as there is no intordution to the dancing arena like there is for young boys. And I am sure there is alot of powwows around there in california look the indian casinos and just ask around and make calls...

Dang, you said everything I was going too!
~Kelli

[campbellsiouxpfam]

Thanks!!!

Thanks for the advice ladies.....
I am going to try and do the dresses myself...so I best get started huh?? LOL
I'll definitely look into the casinoes around here, I've heard they have powwows here...I guess i just have to go looking...But Thanks for all the help...and if anyone else has anymore suggestions feel free to let me know!!!

Thanks a bunch
the Campbells

[Joe's Dad]

Check out the Cabazon powwow during Thanksgiving weekend. It's a goot one! It's out in Indio, Ca.

[musicedu77]

id suggest before having them start jingle dancing...take them to watch other dancers first before anything and to make a dress best thing is to buy a pattern...it always helps especially if yar not a seamstress..get things ready for a giveaway it takes up to a year or more depending on yar income...before making the dress id start on beadwork cuz that takes alot of time...take them to some ojibwe powwows and ask questions to other jingle dancers there on how to start them....its a long process but its more than wll worth it..

[musicedu77]

p.s.

bias tape maker will make things cheaper its alot of work butits cheaper or but it in bulk (bias tape) you can buy one at joannfabrics.com

[campbellsiouxpfam]

Thanks

Hey There musicedu77 Thanks a whole bunch!!!
I will definitely use your advice, I know that I will take them and let them see the dancers first, they LOVE dancing!! I just really want them to know where they come from and be proud of it, I didn't really get that chance.....But I'm not complaining, I just want better for my girls:)
I can sew, thanks goodness, I was taught that!!! Well, I'll definitely look for some simple patterns for starters, and look into a relative to show me how to do the beading...so hopefully they will be dancing before they get TOO OLD!! Also, as far as the giveaways, what is the proper way to do that, I know I can get the stuff together but how do I go about asking for help on that, if I don't know exactly how to do it??

Thanks,
the Campbell Fam

[mnibozan]

Do you have any family members that can help you? Thats how I learned how to do everything and still have to have help with it all. You will probably need someone who can talk for you. This is usually a male elder or respected male in the community that does well talking in front of crowds. then you would want to pick a drum to sing for you. The way I was taught was to find someone to take your kids in for you, an adult jingle dress dancer if thats what they are. Sometimes you might have just one person or you could do 4. Then when you do this, these people become your kids' hunka relatives. They will people that will watch out for them and teach them as they travel the powwow trail, so you want people that know what they are doing. More on giveaways later.

[musicedu77]

hay well thats good that you know how to sew...i learned sewing when i was 4...my nana started me on simple stuff..the beadwork is relatively easy..i usually dont do alot of loom work mostly lazy stitch...best thing to do with any beadwork that reqires lazy stitch is to draw it out on felt before you start beading...you can get alot of additonal ifnormation on beading if you look at the gathering menu on here go to where it has threads on beadwork...theres this one stuff you can buy from nocbay.com its stiff felt or i was told from a powwow's .com member (i forget the person who told me) but she mentioned about a stiffy felt spray you can buy at fabric stores that you spray on felt to make it stiff...instead of useing flimsy felt and embroidery hoops..
since your just learning for their first jingle dress you can always first make them go out plain...use conch shells with deerskin thongs as hair ties or just a simple french braid with no hair ties and a simple scarf or bandana for their neck...plain leggings and moc's ...basically just keeping it very simple...until you learn how to do beading..beadwork take alot of practice...you can also see if one of the relatives can make your girls beadwork sets while your learning how to bead your self...in return give the relative money, a gift or take them out to eat or something. for the giveaway...a relative is a good source of help or ask your parents..i'll i.m. you a list of ideas for giveaway..and more information b/c i'm making this message too long..

[injunboy]

i started my little girl jingle cause its our way. my little boy im gonna put him out there and just observe the way he naturally moves his feet. this will determine which outfit ill make for him. some boys just naturally are tradish. theyll stomp around and get low, and lord its just cute as hell. so thats my recommendation, introduce them to the music, take them into the arena and see what they do.