Shouldnt you...

Innocently_evil · 08-07-2004, 06:13 PM

This was the first time i had seen this...

At the last pow wow i was at..people were putting cash and blankets on the ground for the dancers to dance over..then the arena director would run over, pick it up and give it to an elder or noticable visitor..

When this happens and you recieve something, arent you supposed to get up and wrap the blanket around yourself or hold the cash and dance in your spot...so you can help that dancer (who danced on it) dance longer?...

Lots of people werent...it just bothers me cuz its like they have no respect..and its those same people that never stand during grand entry or during any of the specials...

I mean..im only 22 and only half native but i still have the utmost respect for anything and everything that goes on in my culture..

River Spirit · 08-07-2004, 06:41 PM

I've never even seen a blanket dance like this. The ones I've seen are for a drums expenses or to help someone in particular out, maybe help a 'princess' go to GON or something. And the AD or someone would collect the monies and they would be given to who they were intended for privately. So, this is new to me.

Innocently_evil · 08-07-2004, 08:42 PM

It wasnt necessarily a blanket dance...i know what you are talking about there..

This was actually during competition...it happened more at the end of the nite when they were breaking the ties...people were running out into the arbor and putting blankets down for a specific dancer to dance upon..and then that blanket was given aways..

Kween_Krazee · 08-08-2004, 03:27 AM

where on earth did u hear this u dont have to wrap the blanket around you an dance and y r u letting these things bother you your not the one doing it u sound like a wannabe ndn remember ppl have diffrent ways not all ppl are the same ya know and all tribes have there ways

powwowbum49 · 08-08-2004, 03:35 AM

Jessica

From what I have seen this is the way many giveaways are done by tribe up on the northern plains. I have seen people stationed beside items that are laid out for the dancers to dance over. Then the family or AD will hand those items to the person it is intended for. Now sometimes the item is given to an elder and often they are seated and not expected to rise and dance with the person, but normally without fail the person giving away is thanked later on. Since I wasn't there I can't say that folks were right or wrong by not dancing in place at the edge of the arena, but not every area does things the same way. A perfect example would be the fact that down south this type thing is done different in that the dancer does not dance over the item/cash, but instead if a blanket or shawl is being given away it is draped over the persons shoulders or if it can't be worn it is placed in front of the honoree while the person to receive the gift is ask to dance beside the honoree while the person/family giving away dances behind them. Often others will come over and join in by placing more gifts in front of the honoree and then joining the others behind them. I personally feel far more honored when I am chosen to be the person that the item is placed on than if I am the one receiving a gift. It is humbling to be thought of well enough that someone wishes to give away in your name. The sad part is quite often folks lose this part of it when honoring others these days. They simply lay money or such down in front of a person and then give it that same person when the song ends, instead of bringing another forward and giving away in their name. That is what drives me nuts.

powwowbum49 · 08-08-2004, 03:41 AM

I should also add that down south it is very much frowned upon to try and do this type of give away during any dance competition (well except for maybe tiny tots).

**NDNKIDZ** · 08-08-2004, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powwowbum49

Jessica

From what I have seen this is the way many giveaways are done by tribe up on the northern plains. I have seen people stationed beside items that are laid out for the dancers to dance over. Then the family or AD will hand those items to the person it is intended for. Now sometimes the item is given to an elder and often they are seated and not expected to rise and dance with the person, but normally without fail the person giving away is thanked later on. Since I wasn't there I can't say that folks were right or wrong by not dancing in place at the edge of the arena, but not every area does things the same way. A perfect example would be the fact that down south this type thing is done different in that the dancer does not dance over the item/cash, but instead if a blanket or shawl is being given away it is draped over the persons shoulders or if it can't be worn it is placed in front of the honoree while the person to receive the gift is ask to dance beside the honoree while the person/family giving away dances behind them. Often others will come over and join in by placing more gifts in front of the honoree and then joining the others behind them. I personally feel far more honored when I am chosen to be the person that the item is placed on than if I am the one receiving a gift. It is humbling to be thought of well enough that someone wishes to give away in your name. The sad part is quite often folks lose this part of it when honoring others these days. They simply lay money or such down in front of a person and then give it that same person when the song ends, instead of bringing another forward and giving away in their name. That is what drives me nuts.

:Thumbs

ndnboy2000 · 08-08-2004, 08:28 AM

From what i understand is that noone should be doing any type of giving while a dancer is dancing in compition. The only time things like that are done is when the dancers are on headstaff.

Sweet Syilx · 08-09-2004, 06:02 PM

Innocently-Evil -

From the sounds of it, if it was the placing of money at a dancer's feet during a tie breaker, this is a way that people out west indicate which dancer they favour during the tie breaker. The usual way it is done, is when there is a tie breaker, people will then go out into the arena and drop a money bill at the feet of the dancer, the dancer will dance over it and then it is given away to an elder. The elder is not expected to rise, but to simply accept the money from the A.D. I have never seen this done with blankets though. But it sounds just like the preference protocol for your favourite dancer during a dance off. Hope tha helps a bit.

R.

**Kakeeya** · 08-09-2004, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Syilx

Innocently-Evil -

From the sounds of it, if it was the placing of money at a dancer's feet during a tie breaker, this is a way that people out west indicate which dancer they favour during the tie breaker. The usual way it is done, is when there is a tie breaker, people will then go out into the arena and drop a money bill at the feet of the dancer, the dancer will dance over it and then it is given away to an elder. The elder is not expected to rise, but to simply accept the money from the A.D. I have never seen this done with blankets though. But it sounds just like the preference protocol for your favourite dancer during a dance off. Hope tha helps a bit.

R.

Yes the people laying out the blankets were most likely family or loved ones of the dancer(s) and they were showing their love and pride in that dancer.

Innocently_evil · 08-09-2004, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kween_Krazee

where on earth did u hear this u dont have to wrap the blanket around you an dance and y r u letting these things bother you your not the one doing it u sound like a wannabe ndn remember ppl have diffrent ways not all ppl are the same ya know and all tribes have there ways

Hmm..yeah just a tad on the harsh side...

It was my dad (who is native) who mentioned to me that the individual should stand in place and dance with that blanket...

I think I am the farthest thing from a wannabe native..but im not gonna argue..cuz well arguing online is stupid anyways..

TO EVERYONE ELSE..
Thanks a bunch for your comments...maybe we do things funny out here in Saskatchewan..lol..but it was the first time I had seen anyone of those and just wanted to know what you guys thought.. :)

Kween_Krazee · 08-09-2004, 11:20 PM

I Wasnt Aiming For An Argument....lmao

Native_Island_Poet · 10-10-2004, 12:31 AM

I am thinking it has alot to do with where you are. I have seen this both as honouring a dancer during a tie breaker at the end of a specific style of dance, and when a giveaway is in process. Many times I have seen the person or family doing the giveaway, place a blaket at the feet of a dancer who has been asked into the arena, and the gifts are placed there for them. The honouree would then dance around or over the balnket as a way of showing acceptance of the gifts and thanking those whose honoured him/her. I have seen blankets sized from baby blanket size all the way up to full sized blankets that would fit a king sized bed. Once I saw a dancer that was honoured, have a family member take the gifted items away from the arena then use the blanket to mark his spot on the benches around the arena, as he had not had one before!

I am far from being any kind of expert on this topic, and am only expressing my opinion and stating what I have personally witnessed !

Native_Island_Poet

08-07-2004, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Innocently_evil Barstar.. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 187	Shouldnt you... This was the first time i had seen this... At the last pow wow i was at..people were putting cash and blankets on the ground for the dancers to dance over..then the arena director would run over, pick it up and give it to an elder or noticable visitor.. When this happens and you recieve something, arent you supposed to get up and wrap the blanket around yourself or hold the cash and dance in your spot...so you can help that dancer (who danced on it) dance longer?... Lots of people werent...it just bothers me cuz its like they have no respect..and its those same people that never stand during grand entry or during any of the specials... I mean..im only 22 and only half native but i still have the utmost respect for anything and everything that goes on in my culture.. __________________ Happiness is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth :

08-07-2004, 06:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
River Spirit Senior Dancer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sacramento CA on the American River Posts: 800	I've never even seen a blanket dance like this. The ones I've seen are for a drums expenses or to help someone in particular out, maybe help a 'princess' go to GON or something. And the AD or someone would collect the monies and they would be given to who they were intended for privately. So, this is new to me. __________________ "The Cleveland Indians are going to change their name. They don't want to be known as a team that perpetuates racial stereotypes. From now on they're just going to be called the Indians." - Native Comedian Vaughn Eaglebear, Colville/Lakota

08-07-2004, 08:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Innocently_evil Barstar.. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 187	It wasnt necessarily a blanket dance...i know what you are talking about there.. This was actually during competition...it happened more at the end of the nite when they were breaking the ties...people were running out into the arbor and putting blankets down for a specific dancer to dance upon..and then that blanket was given aways.. __________________ Happiness is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth :

08-08-2004, 03:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 792	Jessica From what I have seen this is the way many giveaways are done by tribe up on the northern plains. I have seen people stationed beside items that are laid out for the dancers to dance over. Then the family or AD will hand those items to the person it is intended for. Now sometimes the item is given to an elder and often they are seated and not expected to rise and dance with the person, but normally without fail the person giving away is thanked later on. Since I wasn't there I can't say that folks were right or wrong by not dancing in place at the edge of the arena, but not every area does things the same way. A perfect example would be the fact that down south this type thing is done different in that the dancer does not dance over the item/cash, but instead if a blanket or shawl is being given away it is draped over the persons shoulders or if it can't be worn it is placed in front of the honoree while the person to receive the gift is ask to dance beside the honoree while the person/family giving away dances behind them. Often others will come over and join in by placing more gifts in front of the honoree and then joining the others behind them. I personally feel far more honored when I am chosen to be the person that the item is placed on than if I am the one receiving a gift. It is humbling to be thought of well enough that someone wishes to give away in your name. The sad part is quite often folks lose this part of it when honoring others these days. They simply lay money or such down in front of a person and then give it that same person when the song ends, instead of bringing another forward and giving away in their name. That is what drives me nuts. __________________ PB49 "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso My comments are based on what I have been taught and my experiences over the years I have been around the circle. They should in no way be taken as gospel truths and are merely my opinions or attempts at passing on what I have learned while still learning more.

08-08-2004, 03:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
powwowbum49 Arena Director Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: midwest, USA Posts: 792	I should also add that down south it is very much frowned upon to try and do this type of give away during any dance competition (well except for maybe tiny tots). __________________ PB49 "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso My comments are based on what I have been taught and my experiences over the years I have been around the circle. They should in no way be taken as gospel truths and are merely my opinions or attempts at passing on what I have learned while still learning more.

08-08-2004, 03:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kween_Krazee Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 73	where on earth did u hear this u dont have to wrap the blanket around you an dance and y r u letting these things bother you your not the one doing it u sound like a wannabe ndn remember ppl have diffrent ways not all ppl are the same ya know and all tribes have there ways

08-08-2004, 08:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
ndnboy2000 Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: oklahoma Posts: 14	From what i understand is that noone should be doing any type of giving while a dancer is dancing in compition. The only time things like that are done is when the dancers are on headstaff.

08-09-2004, 06:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sweet Syilx V-Style Jingler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: North Vancouver - Coast Salish Territory Posts: 248	Innocently-Evil - From the sounds of it, if it was the placing of money at a dancer's feet during a tie breaker, this is a way that people out west indicate which dancer they favour during the tie breaker. The usual way it is done, is when there is a tie breaker, people will then go out into the arena and drop a money bill at the feet of the dancer, the dancer will dance over it and then it is given away to an elder. The elder is not expected to rise, but to simply accept the money from the A.D. I have never seen this done with blankets though. But it sounds just like the preference protocol for your favourite dancer during a dance off. Hope tha helps a bit. R.

08-09-2004, 11:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kween_Krazee Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 73	I Wasnt Aiming For An Argument....lmao

10-10-2004, 12:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
Native_Island_Poet Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast Of Texas Posts: 14	Hmm ....... good question ! I am thinking it has alot to do with where you are. I have seen this both as honouring a dancer during a tie breaker at the end of a specific style of dance, and when a giveaway is in process. Many times I have seen the person or family doing the giveaway, place a blaket at the feet of a dancer who has been asked into the arena, and the gifts are placed there for them. The honouree would then dance around or over the balnket as a way of showing acceptance of the gifts and thanking those whose honoured him/her. I have seen blankets sized from baby blanket size all the way up to full sized blankets that would fit a king sized bed. Once I saw a dancer that was honoured, have a family member take the gifted items away from the arena then use the blanket to mark his spot on the benches around the arena, as he had not had one before! I am far from being any kind of expert on this topic, and am only expressing my opinion and stating what I have personally witnessed ! Native_Island_Poet __________________ Be One With All, As Your Heart Knows the Trueness, of the Blood Coarsing through your Veins!