ibarapaho

For generations native people have fought and died to maintain our identity. The powwow is a contemparary tradition that combines the traditions of many tribes through out north america. The songs that are sung (both old and new) are a celebration of all that is Indian. We dance for those of use that can no longer dance for themselves and in honor of those that came before us. In your opinion is it proper for a non- Indian (white) hobbist to serve as head man dancer for a tribal Powwow?

tsuj510

No, not unless he is a exception in that he'd been adopted or something, even then, its tricky. Gest my two cents..

WocusWoman

Most likely not, BUTTTT there could be an exception. I agree that if someone were genuinely adopted into a tribe and live that way, it might be acceptable.

superndngyrl

I think if you did choose a non-native to be head man, then there's going to be people that hate it and people that don't care and other people that don't even notice.

Its up to you.

SuzzeQ4

Personally I don't think they should even be in grand entry.

I only know of one instace of non natives being adopted in an actual genuine way & that was the white step children of a Native Man. These children became part of his family & part of the community, the community adopeted them in.

The only other genuine adoptions I know of are NdN's adopting other NDN's when the person is far from thier home territoty or adoptede out.

Otherwise when I hear a white claiming to be adopted in I tend to raise my eyebrow & think "yeah right". Most just get "adopted" by some NDN friend who wants to be the big elder but can only get whites to listen.

Suzze...just call me cynical...lol

apacheheart

....there could be a lot of reasons why this happens:
Could be the person is in good standing with the tribe,family,or community he represents,so they honor him with the head man task.
Or the family he's adopted by is an important one,and have influence over the pw commitee,if he's indeed adopted(I've heard of Non-NDN DANCERS offering bribes to powwow commitees,but I don't know how true this is).OR it could be as simple as he was the only one with a nice regalia there that day!!
The job of choosing a head Man for the powwow is not an easy one,and those that take it lightly usually end up choosing someone that not everyone is going to be happy with.And I've seen good,Non-NDN "Head Dancers"at powwows,as well as lousy Native ones,and vice versa,so,I dunno,I guess it's a chance you take....keep smilin'1

NorthofAda

Hard to know, too, if the "non-Indian" is truly that, or mixed blood with fairer features, unless that person has told you they have no NDN blood.

CHEROSAGE

You said this is a Tribal Powwow. Since this is a Tribal event I would say that this is a tribal matter. (What a cop-out). This is up to the Tribes Events Committee and the Tribal Council. This p[erson may have some sort of importance to the people of the Tribe. I've known of similar things. Such examples are a Lawyer who does many good things for the Tribe for very little, a Minister, a Teacher, a person married into a family, a person(white or even black) who was legally adopted as a baby(child), a politician who fights for this Tribe, etc..

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BOB

Zeke

The concept of powwows, as we see them today, aren't inherently "traditional" or "Native" anyway. I think a committee can have whomever they wish as their Head Man.

What is a tribal powwow? I've seen all sorts of dances that operate under the banner of a tribal moniker and are no more traditional, Native -- or important -- than dances put on in a variety of so-called hobbyist locales.

Let anyone determined be Head Man and show your pleasure, or displeasure, by not dancing. It's not that hard and it doesn't threaten culture. (sigh)

SuzzeQ4

this all just seems wierd! Why would someone want a white head dancer? Around here they wouldn't even be allowed in grand entry (except for one particular powwow but I prefer to leave that one alone). Isn't having these people dancing in regalia or grand entry & especially head dancers just like asking to become a powwow full of wannabes? Man I know many a grandmother who would be taking a pail of water & chasing out the wannabes by throwing that water at there feet if they showed up in regalia
Suzze

Coyot_In_The_House

What Powwows do some of these folks attend? Ohee....

superndngyrl

Could be any pow-wow... think about it.

Coyot_In_The_House

Shhhh....What gets me is all the effort folks pour into it? By reading some of it though its even worse then what their implying?

badmaninc

The people who need to be in "esteemed" positions at the powwows aren't wannabes they're called