CJTurtle

I have a good question to throw in the air.....Do you think, even living away and being an urban native could you still live the traditional ways?

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The heart can only smile when your listening to it

WocusWoman

Yes; you however need to take the time to learn and value the traditional lessons of your people back home, you can practice these values where ever you make your home. I noticed many native people in the larger urban areas will find places to congregate and share amungst each other. You need to take it upon yourself to surround yourself with good native people, and to live a traditional way.

CJTurtle

:Idea Thanks for your reply. I had put this out because of the debate of reservation vs. urban and i do believe you can still be who you are no matter where you are. It don't change. I myself just moved out to Denver just two years and starting to learn the area and the people out here. Just they need more gatherings out here in Colorado.

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The heart can only smile when your listening to it

50cal

Yes, you can, I was in the Marines for almost 5 years, deployed about 3 and half of those and I still practice my beliefs. It's just how much you put into it that you'll get back. If you don't practice it, then you'll forget it.......

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"Sweat dries, blood clots, bones heal. Suck it up. Be a Marine"

Blackbear

Yep.. you can.. but you have to be able to adapt as well .. it's not easy not being surrounded by your own people where they know and understand you.

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Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

CJTurtle

Blackbear your so right you do have to adapt well, I do miss my friends and I don't dance out here as much as i want to, Im a type of person to know the people im around with first.

:)

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The heart can only smile when your listening to it

ojibwaywmn

It is possible to carry out the traditional ways no matter where you live. I just got back from my home rez's pow wow. And I noticed that I am more into the traditional ways than they are, and yet I live in a city. I did get the "city indian" comment which I find pretty annoying. I would LOVE to live back on the rez...but with the social and economic problems, it's just not possible.

I dance at pow wows and surround myself with supportive, spiritual people. It's ironic, but it wouldn't have been possible if I stayed on the rez.

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Singing Eagle

A fine post ojibwmn - I left my reserve as an infant and only have been back a few times over the years - I agree that being in an urban setting doesn't deter one from following the traditions and like Ojibwmn, I have been able to carry on learning and living the way I choose with wonderful supportive people around me.