SpanishSteel

Hi, I'm also new and also a white gal, my GF is of Cherokee (mixed) heritage. We have been to one large and one small powwow so far. First of all, just GOING and being respectful, learning everything you can, is the biggest help. Before we even went, we scoured the 'net for all the 'etiquette' sites so we wouldn't come barging in like idiots. Thankfully, the first one we went to was the San Manuel gathering, and they produce a wonderful, high-quality program book that explained just about every question we had, including how to behave and what we were watching.

I have been very aware and wanting to not do anything to offend anyone, and to respect the powwow and participants. At the second powwow we were kindly given shawls to borrow and invited to dance intertribal, and there was a very detailed discussion period where we learned more about songs and drums. We learned more of what to watch for and listen for, and it just keeps enriching the experience.

My very first in-depth experience as "white girl in Indian surroundings" so to speak, was when I worked in Fairbanks AK about 15 years ago, during the winter. I flew up above the Arctic Circle to a Beadworkers and Skinsewers Retreat in Ft. Yukon, just for a day of the two-week-long gathering. I learned a lot! But the most interesting part was, because everyone seemed so surprised to see such an obvious outsider in the non-touristy winter (it was pretty obvious that I was not only 'not Indian,' I was also 'not from Alaska...'), they asked, "Where are you from?" When I said "California," they all just looked at each other. One of the Elders then asked quite point-blank, "You're not an animal rights activist, are you?" I assured them I am not, and after that we all got along like best friends. I learned a great deal not only beading-wise but about the Athabascan historic and current culture. At one point it was getting too stuffy in the lodge so I went out to walk around and look at the village awhile-- along roads banked by two-foot-high snow. Every single car that came by, the driver stopped, rolled down the window and asked me if I needed help -- and these were all the village residents. *THAT* was a real experience. No doubt they wondered about the crazy Californian walking by choice around in the snow, above the Arctic Circle...

(And I like to think I gave back as well: One resident was about to go with her family down to the Lower 48 for the first time in their lives, and destination #1 was Disneyland. They asked if I thought they should rent a car in Southern California (again, never having been and/or driven in L.A. let alone California, ever). Answer: NO! Take the convenient resort buses they offer!)

Anyway, moral of the story is, just like anything new in life: you take out of any experience what you put into it. Go to as many as you can, ears and eyes open at the beginning. Don't be a jerk. Learn everything you can about it first, learn etiquette. DO WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING, and "don't if nobody else is" doing something. Ask questions. Once people see you keep showing up, you're serious and not disrespecting or co-opting another culture just because you think it looks cool, you should do fine.

Mary Thomson
So. Cal.

TKMJ Productions

Well Mary, As you can now see, our people are a friendly bunch willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Even you experienced the kindness and concern our people give in just your little walk.

Unfortunatlly, our kindness was met with murder and the like of our people from the invaders from all over the world in the pursuit of land and fortune. It still happens today but we still share what we have and are a fair and just people.

"You're not an animal rights activist, are you?" LOL!!! It's a very valid question because all the people in that area rely on hunting for food. I'm sure they would give up the hard task of hunting if an animal rights activist group would shell out the cash for food and other animal use alternitives to hunting such as skins for warmth. That inturn would increase the animal population for future generations. But then one must also look at the problems of animal over population and the damage to the eco system. We do maintain a balance only taking from the earth what we need and return things inkind. We maintain balance the best we can. It's an NDN thing!

Look at the buffalo population of the Great Plains. Where are they? It was not the Native American that killed them off for the sale of skins. WE maintained a balance until the white man distroied the system in the name of a dollar.

__________________
Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for.

It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

SuzzeQ4

Question 1. :both!
Question 2. : They heard the boy scouts were lookin for em & they are now hiding; but seriously I think at this point in the game the only thing a boy scout could do to help is to stop playing NDN, and teach other whites why they should too...maybe they will listen to you guys.

Kaina1128

and that, my friends, is called solidarity...look it up. take our word for it! you are an asset to us by talking to those who would rather hear from you than Native people.

__________________
www.paysbig.com/powwow

Urban Indian Wellness Consortium

Nooktoo tsitaapi kainaiwa


USAF

TKMJ Productions

Not a chance in the land down under. Were not talking Austraila here. The climate there is too cool.

I have been invited to many of these "boy scout powwows" (sic). I see the same thing over and over. Simply wrong stuff invented by the white man. I have offered many times to teach the kids the right and honorable way to do things as a token of good will. To date no troop has ever called to set up a session. Maybe the scoutmasters are afraid the kids will get the right idea. They would have to re-write their "Order of the Arrow" booklet.

__________________
Don't ask me what I think about something unless you want a truthful anwser. It may not be the anwser you are looking for.

It's better to fly with the eagles then drive with the turkeys.

Rouss3

Hi Jesseq,

I'm not Native, but i'm married to one as you are and I had the same problem, but I was asking about what our daughter (who is half) should wear and he was like "whatever you feel she should". All I wanted was a clear cut answer lol. I just gave up and dress her in normal nice clothes that are modest. Anyway, I go to powwows in jeans and a nice shirt or blouse or sometimes a nice long sun dress with a sweater over it so my shoulders aren't showing. There is lots of standing so I want to be comfy and it's so hot in Texas so I don't want to be sweating like a pig either. Just dress normally and modestly. Because your husband is a dancer you want to dress respectfully so a nice long flowy skirt with a blouse or jeans/slacks with a nice blouse will be fine and won't embarrass either of you. I hope that helps. Please don't wear traditional clothing unless you are either asked to or you are given some to wear as a gift (that's what I was told anyway). Most importantly have fun at powwow!

homi

whatever happened to the gal that started this anyway, before it got sidetracked by the scouts dude. did she go to the pw? what did she wear? after all this i'm curious.

neling4

Why do so many people seem to be annoyed by the BSA? Just curious.

Kaina1128

really? did you read any of the posts here?

__________________
www.paysbig.com/powwow

Urban Indian Wellness Consortium

Nooktoo tsitaapi kainaiwa


USAF

neling4

Yes, really. I did read some of the posts, and after I read your last post, I scrolled back to find the beginning of the BSA conversation. I finally found it on page 6.

nativeproud

Because all the BSA does is teach young boys how to run around and play indian.

__________________
"There is no such thing as 'part Cherokee.' Either you're Cherokee or you're not. It isn't the quantity of Cherokee blood in your veins that is important, but the quality of it...your pride in it. I have seen full-bloods who have virtually no idea of the great legacy entrusted to their care. Yet, I have seen people with as little as 1/500th blood quantum who inspire the spirits of their ancestors because they make being Cherokee a proud part of a their everyday life."

-Jim Pell, Principal Chief of the North Alabama Cherokee

SpanishSteel

Giving another Sycamore POV here again. I have read this entire thread with great interest.

I am extremely aware that I haven't a drop of Indian blood in me, but my best friend does and I support her 100% as she starts really connecting with her family heritage and history. I'm in my late 40's -- in the 60's and 70's when I grew up, I was raised by parents who made sure I was raised right and didn't do insensitive things about other cultures. Yet, yes, I admit (and so will they) that I was in Campfire Girls. I got out of it before the young-adult phase where we were to make our own buckskin dresses and bead all the beads we had earned onto it. By then I wasn't interested, and had other groups to join.

In the 80's-90's, started a disturbing trend of 'promoting children's self-esteem above all else.' Competitions were watered down to 'everyone gets a blue ribbon and/or trophy, and you all are winners just for coming!' Children were literally not allowed to fail, because parents were worried about it would 'make them feel bad' and hurt them permanently. These same young people then entered the work force and I've known some who were astonished that they weren't given a corner office and fantastic executive perqs from the outset -- they literally don't know how to fail, and how to EARN privileges and rewards.

And yes, there are Sycamores who glom onto any 'cultural' fad -- it is literally because, well, we have no tribe. I'm not kidding. I am Scottish and Finnish, that's it. Yes, I do go to Highland Games events, I celebrate my own heritage as well. I was actually sad that I'm only two strains -- until my friends point out that *I* am a rarity now because I *am* only two strains. Other Sycamores cannot seem to take that -- they *have* to validate themselves by co-opting the 'pretty parts' (decor, tattoos, etc.) of other cultures, to make them feel good. There are a lot of bored rich white "OC Housewives" types who have formed a 'Goddess temple' in Orange County -- not kidding. I'm sure they're all very nice and mean well, but sheesh.

I'm a total apologist. Every time I see things like BSA-OA or superficial-interest type stuff, I just want to find an Indian and say "I'm so very sorry, white people are really not all like this." A Navajo friend of mine was once asked by a well-meaning Sycamore, "You're Navajo? Maybe you can tell me, what do Indians eat?" She was serious. It was appalling. We waited, hiding giggles while he gave a lot of thought to the answer, then said, "Big Macs!" It was awesome. Again: To all here who have encountered that type -- I am so very sorry, white people are really not all like this.

By the same token, I am very happy that there are parts of Powwow that have included us Sycamores who are really interested, really respectful and want to share. I actually asked the question of one of the directors at the first PW we went to, "Is it OK for Sycamores to dress in regalia and compete?" His answer was great: "Sure, just don't expect to win!" Fair enough! He was very patient even with our probably stupid sounding questions -- but again, we took time TO ask questions, and to learn things BEFORE going. I am not, and never going to be Indian. But I appreciate being included to participate in Intertribal. I was terrified of offending people the first time, like "Are you SURE this is OK? You're SURE?" when a lady kindly loaned me her shawl so I could dance. She just said "Yes, listen for when it's OK, and dance like you MEAN it." I would never DREAM of slapping together purchased costume pieces -- I can't believe someone would do that. Again, 'I'm so very sorry...'

This was long, I'm sorry. I wanted to say that I appreciate very much being allowed to spectate and participate in powwows, we're going to our fourth this weekend. The beauty and mesmerizing dancing is amazing, and the athleticism particularly in Fancy is mindblowing.

There are Sycamores out here who really are