WhoMe

Little Indian boys with braids are no big thing at powwows or other cultural events. But what happens to these same boys when they return to public schools that are not predominately Indian?

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I recently had two conversations with two Indian mothers who have boys with long hair. These two mothers live in two separate large urban areas. Both have expressed problems of their sons having long hair in a non Indian environment.

The first mother says that her son literally fought his way through elementary school because of the teasing he was getting from the non Indian children. These children called him a girl at first and this later changed to calling him gay, because of the length of his hair. After repeated consultations with the principal, due to his fighting in self-defense, this mother eventually moved back to their reservation.

The second mother allowed her son to grow his hair since birth. While in a public school, the other kids teased him at first. Later his classmates became used to it, quit teasing him but, still would not include him in their activities. As a result he became a loner. When he entered middle school the taunting reappeared and is a problem she is dealing with now.

(It sure is hard to be an Indian, nowadays)


Do you have similar stories?

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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

nailbreaker4

I grew up in a town that is predominantly Native and the school was 70% Native but still when I was younger I was teased about practicing my own culture.

Later, I realized some of the kids that teased me were upset because they did not have the same opportunity.

It think it just comes down to support from family and getting to know the community. On the rez it isn't as intimidating having long hair or practicing your culture because usually the kid is not the only one. But in the urban areas- I think that is just something you have to live with and learn to overcome somehow (maybe by getting to know the locals or finding other natives around the area that may give one that comfort of the rez).

Kakeeya

When my son was little he always had braids. He also used his NDN name as his first name so he got hit double hard when I went to college and he attended public school. It wasn't even the Non NDNs that teased him either mostly it was the other NDNs. But he's tough and he was fine, when we were at home he just blended in with all the other kids, but at school it was rough. For a short time he didn't want his braids anymore and he wanted me to change his name so he'd have an English name, but we all talked to him and he was fine. Now he's a young man and is very proud to be known by his NDN name and also has his braids. He cut his hair when he lost his paternal grandfather and when his daughter died but since then, his hair has grown and is long and beautiful again. I'm always happy to braid his hair if he asks me. But we all practice our culture and traditions, he knows the songs of the Waashut and Sundance before he knows the powwow songs.

Tiyospaye Yazzie

I chop my long hair just to be in Basketball back in high school because they said the only way I could play was to lose the long flowing do. The next year they allowed long hair players to play basketball.

__________________
"I Ahula Ula"
Enjoying the ride.
BETA SIGMA EPSILON

Dat1NdnGuy

All I know is that I was Knocked down and dragged through utter hell. In fact, we decided it was better for my lil bro to cut his hair until He was ready to grow it out if he should choose to do so. Its pretty rough, cuz I grew up in the city. I wasnt Born here, I wasnt given the choice whether or not to live here, But thats just how things worked out. I agree with Nail breaker, Ya pretty much just have to find locals and try to associate with others like you.

but the good thing is, I had the benifit of a VERY strong foundation. My family is real tightly knit, and I stayed on the rez til I was about 6 or 7 and ya know the sayin, "Ya can take the boy outta the rez, but ya cant take the rez outta the boy." So my family helped a great deal. I still to this day tell people, that i've been called EVERYTHING in the book. You name it and i've been called it, gotten into a TON of fights even more then my own family knows. Gotten suspended and even expelled once, (they let me back in for going to anger management) But in a sense it was all a driving force. I used it to get through highschool early. and all the local Ndn's were real kool, and I've been volunteering since I was about 9. Ive been blessed with a great deal of opportunities because of my involvement in the community.

but the other hurdle was gaining some sort of acceptance from the folks on da rez, and thats TUFF!...its almost like once ya leave, u better not EVER come back. So that much is true, Its hard bein Ndn these days...but it sucks when ya dont feel like ya fit ANYPLACE. Its hard for me to watch all my cousins go through the same stuff I went through. Cuz I see them making some odd choices, and worry about which way they may be goin...

__________________
"Out greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us."

"Never Compromise yourself, Your all you've got"


"An eye for an eye will only lead to a blind world."

WocusWoman

My dad kept my brother's hair very short; but my uncle kept all his boy's hair very long all the time they were growing up. He raised 7 boys. They all were picked on one time or another; especially at school, but they were all kinda ruffians and made it through just fine. His youngest boy; whom graduated with honors last year from high school, was so sad to find out he would have to cut his hair short to go into the Marine Corp., our Grandmother told him it would be all right and that he could grow it back some day. So he went off to the Marines a year ago; all the long hair gone, but I know someday he be right back out there dancing again with his brothers and dad, but he's out there doing a job alot of us would not. By the way I love long hair; can't get my husband to grow his out very long, the in between stage isn't very pretty and he has to dress professionally for work.

Pen Pen

This one time I went out to the tent city here in Maricopa county with my long hair. They wouldn't let me into the tents with it and told me the only way I'd be let out into the tents would be if I cut my hair. Otherwise I'd be put into lockdown. So I went to lockdown, oh well. I still have my long hair. Woo hoo.

2cuteUTE

This is just the saddest topic; my little nephew had this experience when he was about seven. The kids teased him at school for months and called him girl, they even pushed him in the girls’ bathroom. He was so upset he begged his mamma to cut his hair. She consulted with her husband and he told her of his experiences as a child. She finally gave in and cut his hair (he has the most beautiful silky hair). She didn't tell me until after it was done. I had tears in my eyes and 'bout cried for him, it broke my heart. I wanted to go mess some little kids up.

DANCINGEAGLE

Believe it or not, but, I go through it at work. I get teased alot by a few adults and I'm over thirty something lol!! I have a pony tail and I get ridiculed about it but that's okay. My wife loves it. I call it my attention getter. When she wants my attention, she pulls it.

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Through the good times and bad times, always pray.

Sewickly

I know Mom does too!

But this topic is very real! I have cousins inthe community that are in high school and have long hair! They do not get ridiculed for it either! Back in the day, 15-20 years ago, yes, it was a hassle in my little neck of the woods for a boy child to have long hair. In my community we are very close knit, and then cam e the long hair revolution! It was against the LAW to be NDN, and so they had to go as something else util NDN was forgot about. But we know how history and people who love to dig up family trees, like my Mom, and Grandmother. I always knew I was NDN from birth, thanks to bot sets of Grandparents, but still it was a hush thing!

To get back to the hair, the teenage boys now are totally grabbing on to their ancestry. Long Hair and all! I enjoy seeing it too!

__________________
Just Be Real, and live for who you are!

LSS

We'll see how it goes. I am a teacher in a public school and I'm currently growing my hair out. I'll let you know how it goes.

__________________
To get a true picture of your purpose in life, you only get the whole picture when you listen with your mind, your ears and your heart. This way The Creator has a direct connection with you and only you...no outside interference.

When you follow the will of IT that created you, understanding that your purpose is not for you...but for IT and all that IT has created, there can be no wrong except failure to be obedient. Only then do we jeopardize the gifts we are given.

Its not the final destination that defines us, rather the journey taken!

Sewickly

I want to know how that goes too! Now, there is a teacher in Plymouth, that is something. I'm not sure what, but anyway he has changed his spiritual faith, and his name, but I always knew him by his birth name. Anyway, he wears this hat like the CAT in the HAT, and chews on a chew stick, and wers his hair on his chin and braided. If they will allow that in Public Schools, to be sure our NDN men can grow their hair out and still look presentable.

I'm telling you that teacher looks odd man, but to each his own to a point I say!

__________________
Just Be Real, and live for who you are!

WocusWoman

I was always taught men and boys who keep long hair for religious/dancing purposes, must keep it very clean and fixed neat! All the long haired men in my extended family have always had beautiful hair. I'm not putting down anybody, but the dirty-hippie look is not good, and does not hold up the traditional beliefs I was taught growing up.

Tiyospaye Yazzie

Must've took up alot of the warrior's time back in the day, huh. Especially from hunting and gathering. Be like "go get a deer" and he be like "No. I got to keep my hair clean first"

__________________
"I Ahula Ula"
Enjoying the ride.
BETA SIGMA EPSILON