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I’ve been attending more gatherings and Pow Wows and I’ve felt like I was at home……like a family reunion and I do feel the connection. I’ve been told that I should prepare to dance for the Creator in the near future at Pow Wows. Me? Dance? at Pow Wows?:eek: Personally, I am still learning about my history and I do not know when I will ever feel comfortable dancing for the Creator at Pow Wows. Am I really…..ready? In my heart I feel that I need to research more and publicly be comfortable with my idenity before I take that next step. Does anyone out there have any advise about my current dilema?
I want to embrace who I am but………I don’t know if I will ever be comfortable dancing at Pow Wows.
Erica Lewis
Personally, I would say if you want to dance, go for it. Sometimes I go to a powwow just to watch, by the second day the itch to dance is too great to ignore, and I’m out there for intertribals or circle dance.
Don’t know if my story would help, but here goes. The first time I danced I was a freshman at college (I was let lose into the circle a few times as a little one but I don’t really count that). Some friends and I headed to a small rural powwow, real tradish were all the elders still knew their language. My friends whipped out their outfits, and pulled out an extra outfit and said I was dancing, or it’s a long walk home. They knew I wanted to dance, but was too scared to take the first step. I managed to break a few minor protocols, but that’s the learning process.
Since then I’ve danced all over the Pacific Northwest, and have even tried a few in the east when visiting relatives there. I probably broke a zillion protocols since powwows are done so differently in your area.
I figure as long as a person is true to who they are, I have never seen any problems with someone dancing. Heck, I have even met non-Indians who dance because they enjoy it, folks don’t seem to have a problem with that as long as they are honest about themselves. So if someone asks your background, just tell them what you can. I’m descent from many east coast tribes, so here in the northwest when someone asks my background, to keep things simple I tell them “east coast Indian”.
Anyways, hope this helps!
Shad
I understand where you are coming from! I am JUST at stage now (this week) where I am ready to say…this month I am ready to get into research. (Again, hmm records)
But I on a different level can relate to what you are saying. If any family members see this site…(excpet maybe my bro who doenst know about this site, I am the one “going down this raod in my family) they stay in the zone of “being descended from….” However, I am the one that turns over the rocks, looks into family names and goes from there.
I plan to do research this summer (and come down) and well, “deal with it”.
I have tie ins to where I live, but I understand what you are saying. So, just letting you know, you are not alone. If you wish to email me off forum you are most welcome to.
I have not danced but have a shawl I was given (by my “adopted” mom from another Nation) I tread carefully but I feel that the time is coming and the rocks will eventually be fully turned over.
Anyways, nice to talk to other folks from Southside.
I wondered all this as a kid but was quiet about it. (also too, as many of you know much better than I the whole reasons why folks didnt discuss or even care about the past/’rocks etc. saying we are only this group or that group)
Funny how natives just disappeared eh? or I guess everyone on the board (even if they did have 100% proof of decendency (not saying you have to or getting into that!!!! I dont mean that!!! I am not into that! I am not a paper person and ive seen it divide people so i want to be clear on that)
all everyone has typed is a figment of the imagination! lol
Ok after my long windedness, just want to say I know wher eyou are coming from. Hugs to you. Nice to see others in same boat. ONe step at a time, one step at a time for everyone.
D
QUOTE=1_optimistic]I’ve been attending more gatherings and Pow Wows and I’ve felt like I was at home……like a family reunion and I do feel the connection. I’ve been told that I should prepare to dance for the Creator in the near future at Pow Wows. Me? Dance? at Pow Wows?:eek: Personally, I am still learning about my history and I do not know when I will ever feel comfortable dancing for the Creator at Pow Wows. Am I really…..ready? In my heart I feel that I need to research more and publicly be comfortable with my idenity before I take that next step. Does anyone out there have any advise about my current dilema?
I want to embrace who I am but………I don’t know if I will ever be comfortable dancing at Pow Wows.
Erica Lewis[/QUOTE]
Hey Erica, years ago I was asked to attend a function up here in Canada, it was to help at a hall in doors, this was while visiting a friend.
He was the leader of the Sun dance ceremonies there., during one of my visits , he recieved a call to attend a ceremony that was to help a boy in the hospital that was on life support.
The attendence was almost manditory and to say no was a huge insult, so being asked in that way was pretty heavy!
Anyway, I attended this “Owl Dance” and had to participate, I was handed the leaders role which was a staff of sorts, ribbons and feathers attached to an owls body,,……… and I really did not know what to do other than just go for it. I guess I did ok because no one motioned other wise.
All this means is that dancing is not just dancing, it carries huge implications and responcibilities, I once asked a dancer “who are you out there with” meaning which dance troupe?
He said I dance for the Creator, so what ever you go out there for, remember it respect and courtesy, and why you are personally there.
For me it would be for my family and friends that could not make the event, past present or future.!
Hello Everyone,
When you dance for the Creator you dance with a prayer and a focus, you dance so the people can live! You dance Wopila, (grattitude).The Creator knows you and your heart, he does not need proof of who you are. When you know in your heart that you can hold that intent then you will not question. Ego, other poeoples oppenion and small failings do not matter. Healing is the outcome. Tom what an honor and better yet that you released your fear to dance for the boy. I am dancing Sun Dance (the old way no food, no water) in a month. I am older and pray for my body will help to sustain my prayer. That is my fear, I know it is an illusion. So by reading your concerns helps me put away my fear and prepare in a good way. ie taking my own advice.
Thanks everyone,
Janette
PS:Tom etc: Still moving will be here more often after that task and Sun Dance have been completed.
Thanks all for your advise. Again, I was asked to dance and I don’t want to insult anyone if I do not. I do have to say that my mother is like my companion with this journey. It’s almost like we both are discovering who we truely are at the same time. I guess I had to be the one to open up the floodgate. Now, my momma wants to participate and attend more Native American Gatherings and I am so happy. Personally, I think she will probably dance before I will.
I am not saying that I will never dance, but I just need more time to understand the culture and know who I really am. Again, thank you all for your advise 🙂
Erica
Just thought that I would add that in my attempts to understand the culture, I am leaving in 3 weeks to spend a week on the Pine Ridge reservation building beds for children who have no beds to sleep in. While there, there are programs included that provide instruction in culture.
I understand the feeling of needing to learn more. Just my little attempt to learn. One of my gg-something uncles went to SD to live among the Sioux, so I thought of this as a way to learn.
Techteach
Erica,
Remember that your dancing is for Creator….so don’t worry about doing something wrong. I have told you in the past to do the intertribal…everyone NDN and non are comfortable with that. You have no fear about going to church….it’s the same thing for natives…our love for Creator is what keeps the fear of what others may say not bother us. You are in the circle for the Creator only…Personally, sometimes I wonder how easy it is for us to adopt the european way of worshipping Creator, but we have a problem with excepting our way of worshipping Creator.. It was an honor for me to give you a start on your regalia…remember you can start with inter-tribal and I promised you I would be there with you……Remember it is for Creator that you dance.
Jade
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