coyote_spirit

I attened my tribe annaversay Casino Pow Wow in Worley Idaho last night and witnessed the Horsetail Dance. My tribe along with area tribes are bringing back this dance. A recent article in the Spokesman Review, submitted by staff writer Tom Lutley on Feb 26, 07, described the 1858 slaughter of 800horses owned by the area Tribes. You can find the article at spokesmanreview.com. I have googled horsetail dance and came up with a picture of Tao Natives dancing this particular dance, but nothing involving the northwest area tribes. (Kalispel, Colville, Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, Nez Pierce.) I was moved by this article and dance, my father ,Isaac SiJohn was mentioned in this article as well as quotes by my brother. My family/tribe are "horse people". If anyone has information on this dance, I would greatly welcome all stories and info.

Lem Lemtch

WocusWoman

So what was the actual dance like, as I'am part Nez Perce as well and truely interested?

coyote_spirit

The men chosen to dance this dance were aleady dressed in their traditional outfits and just changed thier bustle for the horsetail that attached like a bustle. They danced like traditional, high stepping like a horse, I have a video of this I made off my camera(not high resolution) and have yet to watch it, but I will post it as soon as I get home tonite. I also have some pix of this also. I already see that there is a Unity in Spirit Pow Wow coming up in Spokane, WA at Gonzaga( I believe) and they are going to have a special Horse tail dance. After seeing this dance my son, who is two said he wanted a horsetail dance.

__________________
To look to our future, we must remember our past. Don't forget who you are and where you are going.

WhoMe

This is also how I have seen the Navajo and Taos Pueblo do their version of the horsetail dance.

__________________
"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

ntownn8ive

I didn't really see anything unique about the way the dancers depicted this dance, other than wearing the horsetail.

CDA never ceases to amaze me on the things that are brought out; last year with the plateau chicken dance society thing, and this year with a sort of rebirth of sorts of the horse tail dance.

Coyote, PM me if you want to talk to someone directly about the dance. It's orgins in Northwest tribes is questionable, possible? Maybe. But there are a few fellas round here that would be able to give you some information.

__________________

mdtulee

Years ago, there was a man who was Spokan/ Flathead who danced this style. He'd come in late but would carry powerful strong dance medicine when he danced.
He passed away maybe 25 or so years ago.
Out of respect for him and his family, I wont post his name but yes, I remember his way and this particular style.

I enjoyed being among the Coeur d'Alene peoples. Being united is important- legal battles up ahead against non-Indians is coming......................... Have good day to all of you and see some of you out there dancing.

WhoMe

I wonder....

If someone wore a horsetail during a major powwow in the Men's Traditional Dance contest and kept winning weekend-after-weekend....

do you think there would be "copycats?"

__________________
"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

ntownn8ive

So was it a style of dance with unique steps? Were there societies involved (heaven forbid )?

Or was it just a style of bustle worn by dancers?



Honestly and seriously. I'm fully aware of the horsetail bustle that has been worn by the older men around here, but I wasn't aware of it being its own style of dance with distinguished steps, what have you.

I think Cliff Sijohn used to wear a horsetail bustle, too, if I'm not mistaken....

__________________

WocusWoman

But of course Whome, doesn't it usually work out like that?

KoolNDN

Yeah - then eventually it would have it's own contest category LOL!

sookout sh'nob

A Meskwaki friend of mine was telling me that the horse tail was their original bustle in his area. Nothing more to add... but it has me wondering where this horse thing all started at and how far it spread.

ntownn8ive

What was the name of the tribe that started lacrosse?

They used to where horse tails when they played lacrosse, ennit?

That's the only thing, historically that I can remember.

Where's Historian at?

__________________

coyote_spirit

Cliff SiJohn is my brother and one of the horsetail bustles Louie McDonald wore was the one Cliff used to wear when he danced when he was young.

__________________
To look to our future, we must remember our past. Don't forget who you are and where you are going.

Gledanh Zhinga

The horsetail dance was used as a show dance by the Taos Puebloans. It has steps similar to fancy dance steps. There is a certain portion of the Taos horsetail song where the dancers pause and swing the tail up, down, and around [like when the duck-and-divers know when to duck and dive, but not at all related]. I think the tail head was stretched and mounted to a shaped, block of wood, and the wood was fastened to a belt. I'm in New Mexico, but I haven't seen the dance performed for the last couple of decades, at least.

rezcar3

i saw a northern traditional dancer dressed with a horsetail bustle about 6 or 7 years ago at the Heber Valley powwow near Park City, Utah. he looked pretty cool. he was the only one ive ever seen dressed like that up here.