An Elders Gift

[hopping crow]

DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MY REGAILIA I SPENT ALOT OF TIME ON THE WAPOLE ISLAND RES IN CANADA.I LIVED JUST ACROSS THE RIVER IN A LITTLE TOWN CALLED ALGONAC MICHIGAN. EVERY TIME I WENT OVER THERE I WAS GIVEN A NEW GIFT TO USE IN MY REGALIA. I WAS GIVEN A NARROW AMER. FLAG AND INSTRUCTED TO USE IT AS MY REAR BREECH CLOTH. IT HANGS ABOUT 4" FROM GROUND. I GET ALOT OF COMPLIMENTS AND A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE DONT LIKE IT CAUSE IT DRAGS THE GROUND DURING SOME DANCES.e.g. CREEP UP. I WOULD LIKE YOUR OPPINIONS PLEASE. I DONT WANT TO GET RID OF IT, THIS WAS THE LAST GIFT I RECEVED BEFORE I MOVED AND MY MENTOR AND TEACHER PASSED TO THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS. HELP.....................

[debbieyd]

Wear it, but.......

DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MY REGAILIA I SPENT ALOT OF TIME ON THE WAPOLE ISLAND RES IN CANADA.I LIVED JUST ACROSS THE RIVER IN A LITTLE TOWN CALLED ALGONAC MICHIGAN. EVERY TIME I WENT OVER THERE I WAS GIVEN A NEW GIFT TO USE IN MY REGALIA. I WAS GIVEN A NARROW AMER. FLAG AND INSTRUCTED TO USE IT AS MY REAR BREECH CLOTH. IT HANGS ABOUT 4" FROM GROUND. I GET ALOT OF COMPLIMENTS AND A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE DONT LIKE IT CAUSE IT DRAGS THE GROUND DURING SOME DANCES.e.g. CREEP UP. I WOULD LIKE YOUR OPPINIONS PLEASE. I DONT WANT TO GET RID OF IT, THIS WAS THE LAST GIFT I RECEVED BEFORE I MOVED AND MY MENTOR AND TEACHER PASSED TO THE HAPPY HUNTING GROUNDS. HELP.....................

:38: I think you should wear it, but somehow make the bottom into folds so that it doesn't drag so much. I think this could be a question for those soldiers out there that comment a lot..............

[Rolling Thunder]

well, I have never really understood, The flag represents america, all of it's people, and the ground. Why then, is it bad for the flag to touch what it represents?
(I get that it's a respect thing...but think about it.)

I think you should keep it. and If someone questions you, tell them that it's YOUR regalia, not theirs, and that It was meant to be there from your Spiritual Mentor who passed on, and that It's in honor of them. (then they should feel sorry for bein so dumb.)

[Sleeping Bear]

I think the logic behind not allowing the flag to touch the gound is a combination of the spiritual and the mililitary practical. The flag is supposed to represent the IDEALS upon which the US was formed. Since it is also a military symbol, it's lowering indicates defeat or abandonment. Given these two different meanings, one might infer that to allow the flag to touch ground would be to surrender or repudiate the IDEALS of the US, which, I think, are worth defending.
At least that's how I see the logic.

I must admit, I would be a little put off to see the flag worn in such a way, but yes, it is the OP's regalia and not my place to criticise. Besides, I can understand the motivation to sit on the flag by people so historically abused by its standard-bearers.

[Blackbear]

I was gonna ask... which is worse, it touching the ground or that you're wearing it on your hetcheh (butt)?

Flags are symbolisms of ideals. I'm not sure why it bother folks in Canada what you do with an american flag to tell you the truth. The flag is representational for Americans and indigenous people are'nt really Americans or Canadians. I respect a vet's views towards the flag, and can imagine it's probably the vets that are having the most problems with this right? What if you appliqued the flag to broadcloth instead of wearing it as is (at least that's how I'm assuming you're wearing it)? That way it's not directly touching the ground itself.