Kio-Manche

I have a question for anyone who wants to answer....
but would really like some input from those who judge or want to judge:
What are your thoughts on a head man/lady dancer participating in the contest portions? Would the fact that they are head dancers have any bearing on your points?
If so, in a positive or negative way? Thanks to all who participate.....

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Kio-Manche
Oklahoma Proud!!!

CHEROSAGE

I have been asked to be a judge in the past. I don't think that I would judge a head staff any different. I know that I haven't yet.

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BOB

rodond

if they are payed they shouldn,t compete, but can be used as judges if need be. if they aren,t being payed i see no problem with them competing and should be judged the same as all the rest

KoolNDN

Headstaff should not be allowed to compete in any of the contest - just my opinion.

All headstaff shold be paid accordingly, it is tradition when you ask someone to help you out (headstaff or with anything else) you pay them accordingly and don't be cheap about it either. You get back what you give out. If you don't have the funds for the powww then holdoff and raise more money then have it. Don't insult the staff by being cheap. They might not say anything about the cheap skates but they know it, you know it and the creator will know it.

And if your not paying/compensating then you should be ashamed of yourself. and should be slapped silly.

LSS

Well...the simple fact of the matter is that it is a tremendous honor to be asked by any committee to serve as their Head Dancer.

My experience in the past when working with committees is that not everyone has a heeping amount of money. So, my feelings are as long as my expenses are met, I'm good. I love traditional gifts, as well as contemporary gifts (i.e. money ).

The biggest thing I run into is lodgin accommodations. Nothing wrong with camping, but, when I'm tryin' to make it a "family affair", I'm not tryin' to get all up on my wifey smellin' all stanky! Funk upon mo' funk just ain't cool....that there will turn a skunk around!

Now, if we're talking about contesting (sorry about my off task thoughts), this is a whole new ball game. Often the pow wow committee wants to do more for the peeps other than the "recognition" of being a good dancer/sport, but don't have the money to bring them in. So, they have the opportunity to contest. In a way, they have the recognition that sets them apart from anyone else AND they are no different than the next person in the arena.

I don't know right now...I'll think of more to say later I'm sure.

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To get a true picture of your purpose in life, you only get the whole picture when you listen with your mind, your ears and your heart. This way The Creator has a direct connection with you and only you...no outside interference.

When you follow the will of IT that created you, understanding that your purpose is not for you...but for IT and all that IT has created, there can be no wrong except failure to be obedient. Only then do we jeopardize the gifts we are given.

Its not the final destination that defines us, rather the journey taken!

WhoMe

My opinion is that head dancers should not be allowed to compete for the simple fact that they have an unfair advantage with their head dancer status.

In return they should be fairly compensated, for not competing, in their honorarium. 1st place money is one consideration.

At larger powwows, most head dancers are top dancers who will attract other dancers to come support them.

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

Kio-Manche

I would like to thank everyone who responded to my thread. A big A-Ho to you all!!!
My personal thoughts on this subject is that they shouldn't compete, simply out of respect to the other dancers. I feel they should be given some kind of compensation. I think they do have an unfair advantage. Of course, a judge could use it as negative points for the dancer. If so, is that really fair? Only the people who judge know whats right for them.....Thanks again to all who participated.....

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Kio-Manche
Oklahoma Proud!!!

ndnMSW

You know, I grew up up North, and usually the head dancers don't compete, at the powwows where I've seen head dancers (not all northern powwows have them). But I remember visiting with some dancers about this topic and they all said that back in the day it wasn't a big deal, that it was up to the individual committees to set their rules and tell the head dancers if they could compete or not. They just assumed they could compete unless they were told otherwise.

Then when I moved to Oklahoma, at every little and larger powwow or dance that I went to, every head dancer competed every time. That was the norm, and it still is as far as I can tell in Oklahoma.

I think I asked this question before........lol. When did it become a big deal for head dancers to compete or not to compete? Lol...........I either didn't get an answer before, or else I did and just forgot with my former pregnant brain, and my now newborn-toddler mommy brain.

Anyhoo, getting back to the point of the thread that I'm coming in late on, as a judge, I just try to look at the dancers and their ability and don't give more or less weight or attention to someone because they are head dancers.

CHEROSAGE

The idea of whether the head staff should enter the contest or not, if the committee doesn't make the distinction, is up to the individual.

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BOB