Allogagan Nimat

I am a Northern Traditional Dancer, and I am basing my regalia on the Cheyenne Tribe. I was given a coyote pelt, no head or tail, as a gift and I have been searching for weeks on the internet whether it is ok to include this on my regalia. Where I would be putting it is on my dance staff at the top and bottom. But I do not want to put it on until I know it is ok.

redthunder

The most popular answer to questions like these on this board is, "If you have to ask, then it's a no." I don't see a problem in having it. Go right ahead.

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I'm interested more in self determination than gender equity. In other words, changing white men for white woman in the structures of power, does nothing to transform the opression in my community.


"You need to find yourself a girl, mate... Or, perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you already found one and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet. You're not a eunuch, are you? [looks down]"
-Captain Jack Sparrow

Allogagan Nimat

The reason why I asked is because I have heard rumors that the coyote was considered to be a low-life creature and not well respected. That is why I asked. Thank you for your response.

Wakalapi

Coyote skins, including faces are not really uncommon in the powwow circle. Of course it's one of those "do what your own tribe believes" kind of things I guess. Not all tribes see coyote as a lowlife, perhaps not even most; mine sees him as a trickster but a necessary character in the grand scheme of things. In the area where I live, he is a major character and teacher in some of their stories.

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"Friends don't let friends drink decaf..."

billyjoejimbob

havent seen much fur on the trail recently.- last time was kevin heywahe. other than that its all cloth and beadwork.

what exactly does a cheyenne outfit look like? Is it powwow traditional or old style traditional?

Allogagan Nimat

On my outfit I have a roach with deer hair in and out, a choker, vest with tribal medalions sewn on, breastplate, breechcloth, rabbit fur pouch, and moccasins. I carry a dance shield and staff. On the shield I have it divided into 4 sections, each being highlighted with the 4 colors of the earth, and in each section I have a picture depicting certain meanings to the Indians and Cheyenne. On my staff I have a deer antler and some other assorted items.

WhoMe

ANimat,

I have seen a lot of Cheyennes dressed in different types of Cheyenne cloths to fit different occassions.

For the life of me, I have yet to see any Cheyenne wearing a rabbit fur pouch and coyote skinned deer antler.

Are you wanting cultural accuracy?

or are you wearing things and calling them "Cheyenne?"

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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

Wojapi4Me

I'm assuming that you're not Cheyenne. That said, do you know any Cheyenne people you could talk to about this? If not, have you even tried to contact any or are you just researching on the net?

I must agree with WhoMe that the stuff you desribe isn't anything Cheyenne that I've ever heard of or seen. Cheyennes are FAMOUS for their mocassins so this alone should be given the utmost care...hopefully you got that part right.

Cheyennes are a proud people (both northern and southern bands) and deserve the utmost respect...give them that by researcing this outfit and talking to actual, living Cheyennes.

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If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

WhoMe

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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

sookout sh'nob

They oughta be proud - they used to be Ojibwe once :D

billyjoejimbob

Allogagan Nimat - vigil name huh?

Stop listening to boy scout leaders who dont know anything about indian culture.

If you surf around here you will see that there are MANY REAL NDNs who arent to happy with boy scout stuff. There are also many non-NDNs who also are not happy about it either.(myself included)

Ive been there, I was NACHGOHUMAN GISHIHAN, I didnt know nuthin' until AFTER I left the OA and BSA.

Now I see why many NDNs hate me.

Privateer6

I want a cool vigil name! Seriously I would suggest looking at photos in this gallery and elsewhere on the net to get ideas, you never copy. I have seen small amounts of fur used, like a one inch strip max. I am actually sporting 2 half inch mink strips on my staff. I used it separate the tack work from the place I eventually want to put beadwork, and the beadwork section from my handhold. A good place to get decent fur is...thrift stores! Old mink coats is how I got the stuff. You just don't wan the entire staff wrapped in fur, that's something you see from some powwow vendors
BillyJoeJimBob is right, there are a few scout leaders who know what they are doing, the bulk haven't got a clue. They think becasue they read the Indian Lore MBP, they know it all. Or they are reliving their glory days. Go to powwows, talk to people, look at photos, and keep the questions coming. Good luck
Nahila Nakne

crazywolf

Boozhoo niji,

I danced northern trad before I started out fancy 6-7 years ago. I wore a coyote pelt, complete, on my head, along with a bustle made from turkey feathers and copper tubing. It looked way cool, the copper caught the sunlight sorta like a cd, but a lot of people laughed at the whole outfit so I turned fancy, where they quit laughing.

Anyway, wearing the coyote pelt, I was once approached by a Commanche man, he asked me if I knew what the coyote meant to his people. I shook my head, and he told me all about it. He said that one coyote was a not so good sign, two or more was a really bad sign, and if the coyote looked at him as it crossed his path, then someone in his family would die. I just stood there kinda stunned, and he told me that I had to respect other people tribes traditions. So for the rest of the pow wow I tried not to look at him.

I dont know very much about the Cheyenne, I do know their work for coyote is Okomhe, and they see the coyote as a trickster and sort ofa teacher (was something someone told me a long time ago, please correct me if I am wrong).

I am not saying you need to go out and do a lot of research, but like redthunder posted above, if you have a question about something, then that something is probably questionable, and using somesuch something will get a lot of people comming your way and asking questions. Most of the good ones will come to you in a good way, as the Commanche man once did for me, a long time ago. He didnt make fun of me, he just asked me what I knew of the coyote myself, and told me what the Commanche thought of it.

Derek

Wojapi4Me

See, this I totally disagree with....respecting another's tribal traditions is one thing, but changing your to bow down to theirs is another. Was wearing a coyote head a part of your tradition or just worn to be cool? If it was part of your tradition, then this guy was out of line and hopefully you told him so.

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If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

WhoMe