LILfawn

can tiny tots dance this dance with out spaecial permiossion. i understand the orgin of this dance and i do think older catagorys should have some kind of permission or understanding of this dance, but does it matter for a tiny tot? my daughter dances southern cloth or buck, but she saw a jingle dress she really liked and now she wants to dance jingle, should i discourage her?

Singing Otter

I don't think you should discourage her.... but I wouldn't make her one just because she saw it and wanted one. Make sure she knows what it's about and that it's not just another pretty dress ya know?

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LILfawn

she is very young and doesnt understand it all but she knows it is good medicine. i have cancer and diabetes and our family could use a little good medicine. i decided to make he a jingle dress, fancy shawl, and she has her buckskin. all the hems are long so she can grow with them. when she gets older do you think she should no longer dance jingle??

Singing Otter

Hey, sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Things have been busy with school and all. Don't want you to think that I was ignoring you. Hope your doing well.

I am no one. I can't tell you not to let your daughter to not dance jingle when she gets older. I don't have nor would I want that kind of power. My mom has diabetes and I lost my dad to cancer going on five years ago so I definitely understand needing that good medicine. My heart goes out to ya because I know that's rough.

Kids are really smart. They pick up on things you wouldn't think they could at that age ya know? I wouldn't discourage her from dancing. Tell her what it's really about...

I don't have kids but I think it's a really good idea to leave room to grow. That way you won't have to keep replacing full outfits. Not sure how parents can afford to keep their younguns in beadwork though... especially as fast as they grow

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LILfawn

ty for returning the post. My youngest daughter is very interested in our culture and loves to learn things. we have raised her pretty tradish, al least as much as possible. I believe she will dance this dance with the honor it deserves. As long as shes dancing with pure love in her heart then i believe its good. my oldest i wouldnt make her this dress at all. she is living in another world and believes 1/2 the sterotypes no matter how ridiculous about natives, despite being one and living around them. I know the youngest would do best with that dress.

MrzDancerMom

I had to reply to this.
My 7yo daughter danced 'comp' at a pow wow this weekend for the first time. I have had her dancing since she was a tiny tot, just in gatherings and tradish pow wows. SHe is a jingle dancer and loves it. Since she was born I had a dream of what her dress would look like/what she would be dancing. Well, she danced her heart out and had a good time. Even had a 'dance-off' with a few other gals. She didn't place after that and her heart was sad. An elder who had been watching her the whole time came up and talked with her and reassured her. She told her that she is a very good jingle dancer and she likes her style and to keep it up. The elder turned to me and told me that she always tells the youth and their families to let them try different styles of dancing. And if an elder comes up to you and comments your dancing, you stick with that style of dancing. That sometimes it takes a while for a girl/boy to find the right dance. So from this all I will let my daughter stick with Jingle. So let your lil' one dance and try out the various types until she 'settles' into one. But also explain to her and remind her of the type of dance she is dancing and where it came from. My youngest daughter (tot) danced N. Cloth and also we let her use her sis's old jingle dress. I don't think my youngest girl is a jingle dancer; but she did have fun. ;) ANd at that young of an age, that is what counts.

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Lakota Wiyan

The best part of our culture is the fact that our children learn best when they are out among the people. What better place for our daughters to learn ( I to have a tiny jingler) than out among the best? It is a safe place to be, and they get the full impact of all the medicine swirling around their heads. It's best for parents to prepare and protect them as much as we can, but also give them them times when they are out, free and able to learn more than we alone could ever teach them. The circle is the best place to be for the children.

LILfawn

she danced in her fancy shawl dress this weekend, she learned alot. ayt one point she wanted to be head danced and almost ran out in front. lol i have given her a choice of three types of dresses and will she waht suits her best.

Singing Otter

lol that's awesome that your "mini-me"s got to cut a rug! hehehe

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