TTMNO

GEEEEEZZZZ some women just look better in dresses. The shorter the better

kevin

Its nice to read all this discussion about women dancing fancy feather. Like Grayback, I have been doing research on this off and on for over a year. Unfortunately, I live in the South and Pow wow's down here have never featured this dance. I have been trying to interview "any" ladies who have tried this dance as well as gather any photographs or videos So if any one reads this and can help I would be really really grateful. My own personal view is that I think its great that women want to compete. If someone wants to do it and is capable of doing it then why NOT! If a women wants to quaterback the New York Jets and can get the job done then she should have that right! Competation benfits all of us and makes us strive to be better at whatever it is we are doing.
People who hide behind the mindset "well its not tradational" are failing to see the bigger picture. The minute you limit someone from doing something they want to do and are able to do you just limit yourself. During world war two the common mindset among white people was that Black people were incapable of being competent soldiers and were kept on the back lines for much of the war until an all black fighter squaderon was formed and went on to distinguish itself as the best fighter squaderon to come out of world war two. It wasn't that long ago that many NFL franchise owners as well as sport fans felt that a Balck male, Indian, asian, ect would not make good quaterbacks, (ie they didn't have the athetlic skills or the intelligence) I realize all of this seems a bit far fetched and that on the surface there really dosen't seem to much of a connection. But if you start putting the threads together it all comes from the same fabric of prejudice. People may say its not right for women to fancy feather dance because its not traditional but what they are really saying is I'm afraid. What they need to be aware of is that it only hurts them because if there is someone who can do it better or wants to at least try then we all benfit. So to all you ladies out there who want to and aren't afraid to try then I say congratulations. How well you do is not really all that relevant. What's important is that you want to and that is the real lesson to be learned. Anyway, if any of you ladies are reading this please contact me. Or if anyone knows of or has any information please let me know. I'm desperatly searching for any photographs or videos thanks.

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to deny one's own experiences is to put a lie on the lips of the soul.

chazziff

my motherinlaw and her sister used to dance with feather bustles in their younger days with their father Spenser Asah's "dance troupe"- Ola Mae (Asah) Tsatoke and Ida Lura (Asah) Jones. We have pics but can't find them right this minute.

As for that fancy feather dancer from Poundmaker First Nation - her name is Jalaynie (? unsure of correct spelling) "Jo Jo" Tootoosis. She lives right next door to us and is following in her big bros footsteps - Colby and Mylan.

as for "well its not tradational" - times are changing buddy! traditionally you'd be in a tipi dying from smallpox not at your computer annoying the world. people shouldn't be held down from their dreams...

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Furiously-Fancy

Hummmmm.........

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"I'd rather be @ a POW-WOW!"

chazziff

congratulations!! and be strong - don't ever let anyone tell you CAN'T do something!! unless it's something like perform brain surgery when you're not a doctor - but you can do that too after you finish med school!!lol

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kevin

"as for "well its not tradational" - times are changing buddy! traditionally you'd be in a tipi dying from smallpox not at your computer annoying the world. people shouldn't be held down from their dreams... "


Well first off dying in a tipi from small pox is not "Tradition"? Its history. You need to get a better understanding of the meaning of words. Second did you even read what I wrote. Please tell me where I said anything about people being held down from there dreams? Oh by the way you don't "hold people down from their (not there but their) dreams" you hold them "back" from their dreams. Please re-read what I had to say. If you still interpet it the same have someone expalin it to you.

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to deny one's own experiences is to put a lie on the lips of the soul.

alamosaurus

A bit of history: in the 1960's when Fancy Shawl dancing
was first coming into vogue, there was a lot of disapproval;
some people I know said that the ladies were trying to
copy the men's dance style; only the regalia was different.
So, this controversy over women doing "fancy feather"
dancing does not surprise me at all.

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alamosaurus

quicksilverwade

I would hate to rain on your parade but you must sense that your only opportunity to get what you are requesting is for you to do it yourself using your own resources. Attend powwows and travel to the traditional powwow states such as Oklahoma and South Dakota. Or go contemporary and hit Southern California and their casino powwows.

DeusExMachina

I'm a Woman, I dance FF, my auntie aslo danced FFin the 70s and early 80s, and there were women FF dancers from the very beginnings of the dance in OK.
BTW, the cherokee as far as I know don't have a grass dance tradition. I thought that came from the plains peeps.

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Mad Scientists Union Local 42
Evil Geniuses For a Better Tomorrow

The secret of my succes is 30% natural talent, 10% inspiration, and the remaining 60% is just the fact that I am nucking futs.

dreams4u

ojibwayjingle85

I guess you can say Im a true Nordy Indian, Ive never heard of women ever dancing in male outfits... up here its seriously frowned upon.. I guess It varies from tribe to tribe. ..
Mind you, I have a two spirited couzin who dances grass, but thats cause shes two spirited....

Is that how it works for the other tribes two?
Curious and gawking

dreams4u

DeusExMachina

I'm actually planning on making a roach that looks just like a porky roach, only it'll be done with small spikes and hackles still in the RnD phase right now, tho. I just don't like wearing a porky roach. And knowing that they are reserved for veterans, and that even tho i was in the service I never saw combat and am therefore not a veteran, I will not wear one now.
Does anyone have any good pics of the feather headdresses?

__________________
Mad Scientists Union Local 42
Evil Geniuses For a Better Tomorrow

The secret of my succes is 30% natural talent, 10% inspiration, and the remaining 60% is just the fact that I am nucking futs.

ogapahndn

I think I have pics of what you're wanting. Are you talking about the old ones that were worn like in the 50's & 60's?? I have pics of my cousins in them. I danced feather also, but in the 70's and wore a headband. I'll dig out some of those pics and try to post them or send them to you.