ndnmba

DITTO! I totally agree with what potawatomi says. These ways are still kept strong in different parts of the country. For example, at Red Lake 4th of July pow-wow, they stopped the pow-wow after Grand Entry because somebody (not sure who) carried their child in. One of the most respected men of the rez explained to the crowd why this was inappropriate. So, whether its "your way" or not you could set yourself up for embarassment if you were to do this in Ojibwe country.

This isn't true in other parts of the country and you can do what you want. I think that when you are in someone else's territory that you should respect their ways whether you agree with them or not and if you can't respect their ways, don't go there. Ways that may not make sense to you may mean alot to other people and unless it directly conflicts with mine, I always try to respect other people's ways whether I believe them or not. What would be the big deal in respecting that elders wishes whether you believe in them or not?

It's kinda ironic cause I just told my sister that I don't believe in white people's superstitions (like the mirror breaking) because I have enough of my own.

Innocently_evil

I have never seen a pregnant woman dancing (that I have known of)..and at the same time have not heard of it to be a no-no...personally though, if i were to become pregnant I would not want to dance..just becuz it is a lot of movement and such for the child...

At the same time..i always see pregnant woman (esp teens :Eyepopper ) walking in and about in the arena...

Like most of you said on here..its pretty much a tribal thing and up to the individual and the arena director

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River Spirit

'When in Rome' is obviously still the best policy regards women's issues because I've known pregnant women to dance and parents to bring their children out to dance in inter-tribals out West but no one has ever stopped the celebration to take issue with it.

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