incognito please

First off, please let me explain why I want to do this incognito. I know several of you that post on these boards, both well and just by seeing you around. I don't want who I am to reflect anyway on your opinions, good or bad. Plus, I'm just chicken :D. So stop trying to guess!!!!

Second, I'm not gonna ask you not to bash...bash away, it's your right! :D I would like people's opinion though. This applies to a lot of posters here I imagine, so it is a good general topic, but lets try to stick to the subject line. I’m not trying to get permission to dance, that is another thread.

Third, my story. I am white. Not gonna disguise it. I was raised white. Not ashamed of it. I got "brought into" the powwow world when I was in college, by whites. Over the years, I have made many friends, both white and Indian. I believe I have been respectful. Listening when needed, stepping out when needed and stepping up when needed. I have danced for years in contemporary pow wow outfits that my friends and I have made. For various reason, I stopped getting dressed up but kept going to dances. Now, I am being called to put back on my outfits when I dance, by all of my friends.

Fourth, my conundrum. When I was brought into this, it was by whites. I began dressing without ever being "given" the right to dress. (For the story line, by contemporary, I have followed a certain tribal style, just with contemporary materials and fashion styles) I did do certain things to thank the community for allowing me the privilege. I went on like this for years, and to my face at least, no one ever told me I was doing wrong. In fact, I had a few Indians tell me I was doing right. However, I still was never formally "given" this privilege by people who had the "right" to give it. Now, as I grow older, I'm wondering about this and if what I am doing/have done/will do is respectful. I have lots of people I call my friends in the powwow world. I would never dream of changing our friendships. I am not looking to be adopted or learn secrets. Part of me wonders where that line is. If close friends of mine have never felt the need to give me these things, not because I am bad or disrespectful, but for whatever reasons, or maybe not thinking of it, should I be enjoying the rights? Keep in mind, I began this and made my friendships while dressing out at each dance I went to. They all still accepted me and became my friends. So, now with people calling on me to dress again, or just wearing everyday clothes, which direction do I take.

I am just curious of opinions and thought it would be an interesting topic. Don't be scared, I'm not gonna say "so and so said I could" and I'm not gonna say "so and so said I couldn't". Ultimatley I will make up my mind with the counsel of my friends.

~+~Heya~+~

OK I'm gonna put my open and honest opinion out there and if I offend anyone, native or not...well hmmm...I dont think that you should be dancing. I gotta admit it drives me nuts when I'm at a powwow and theres a bunch of non-natives out there just killin' the whole thing. This is our culture that was at one time outlawed and looked down upon by white people now they want to make it thier own! Its all good that it interests you and you want to learn but thats where I think it should end. I'm not bashing you...just putting in my two cents.

Coyot_In_The_House

See not everyone goes about giving away or earning the Rite to dance...I hear where your coming from and respect what you have said. I truly feel it is up to an individual to determine the way in which they begin. If it would make you feel better there is nothing wrong with going about setting up something, it would be seen as a respectful gesture. People normally dress or introduce their children to promote good fortune and wish good luck upon a Relative, even to honor or remember a Relative. There's a number of different ways in which people are going to feel about this....I'll say to emulate someone or their cultural lifestyle is a positive thing, now certain Skins won't feel this way but I respect it. Of course your actions are going to determine how folks feel about you, at least in my book.

50cal

Hey all I gots to say is at least you had the balls to come out and admit your white, unlike many of those on here.....and for dancing, you know I got to agree with Heya, it drives me nuts, but hey who am I to judge??? This was also adopted by my tribe and they too (some of them) think this is their **** and they go and screw it up as much as most non-natives......so hey man, sticks and stones.........

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"Sweat dries, blood clots, bones heal. Suck it up. Be a Marine"

ebt

first of all i'm old school dakota, which means i know my language, history and culture, but of course only for my band or extended family, what other individuals, bands , extended families to with this knowledge is up to them. what i'm to get at is, as far as i know only tribal "rites" can be passed on and i think in my humble opinion "rights" seem like ownership by an individual and no one owns language, history and culture of tribal people, just my thoughts when i seen this thread because i believe in traditonal "rites" but not "rights" given to someone.
ebt

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dreams4u

I don't know of any one person who has the "right" to give another the "RIGHT" to do anything in this day and age. Especially in the "pow wow circuit since everything is so commercial but..... for traditional pow wows and tribal dances I would have to agree in part with Heya. Each tribe has respected elders and these that have lived traditionally all their lives are the ones that should be asked. To be able to dance is something that is God given. The only thing that bothers me are those that participate in ceremonial dances just because they know someone or is married to a Indian and try to come on strong like they are authorities on our culture! I have some non Indian friends that dance but they are very humble and try their best to be helpful. They also ask before they do something if it is okay to do it. Bear in mind, be proud of who you are (white or Indian). God put us all on this earth as equals. If you meant to be Indian...you would have been born Indian. Think on this before you burn me at the stake.....I'm only stating my opinion and I hope there is no hard feelings. Thank you.

WocusWoman

Very well put, and I also respect that he didn't come on here pretending to be something he is not. There's too much of that on here. There are other ways to be involved you know.

quicksilverwade

I've noticed that the pretty wasicu girls don't get harrassed as much as the wasicu dudes. Heck, I'd rather look at a pretty wasicu girl dancing than a white dude trying to make his move. All in all though, the right to dance should be restricted but who am I to say. Have we any elders in the house?

SWEETNDNGRL

"If you were meant to be ndn, then you would have been born that way. " I totally believe this. I want Napikwaaks to be interested and respectful and learn, but to quit trying to take what isnt theirs for their own purposes. They have their own cultures, why dont they learn them, rather than appropriate and thereby change ours. Intertribals are the proper place for this person to participate. That is my two cents...SS

kevin

Hey i got a question? Just when and how do you determine someone is "Indian Enough?" 1/2? 1/4? 1/16? 1/8? and how far back do you get to trace their hertiage or ancestry before you say stop here. And who gets to make the call? My ex girlfriend use to dance all the time and spent hours on her outfits and learning how to dance. She was (is) also respectful, kind, intelligent and did a lot to be a good friend It seems to me there are a lot of Native Americans who don't give a damn about their culture or respecting they way of life. If someone who can be a positive influence and help carry on traditions then only the foolish and arrogant would turn her (or them away).

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to deny one's own experiences is to put a lie on the lips of the soul.

~*~ShanLyn~*~

if you saw an indian looking person walking around wearing a kilt and playing the bagpipes what would you think???

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~*~¤(¯`·._» >The Prettiest People do the Ugliest things <«_.·´¯)¤ ~*~

quicksilverwade

I would say that ~*~ShanLyn~*~ put him up to it, lol.

~*~ShanLyn~*~

it wouldnt look natural, it wouldnt look like they belonged regardless of whether or not they were good or whatever.
my point is, the day we're born, we become the person we're supposed to be. you can't change your dna just like you can't change your skin color.
if you have to search way back into your history, if you have to check the books just to see what kind of heritage you have, if you weren't brought up with it in the first place or if you have to go looking for something that may not even be there (ie indian blood) than that's not who you are.
If you're white, then be happy with that fact, learn more about yourself rather than trying to be someone who you're not, cuz at the end of the day, you still won't be anymore indian than when you woke up.

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~*~¤(¯`·._» >The Prettiest People do the Ugliest things <«_.·´¯)¤ ~*~

kneegrow_native

I went to one of those Japanese restaurants where they cook the food for you at your table and put on a show for you, mostly all the employees were Japanese except for our cook, he was Mexican, but let me tell you, ol' Jose could cook up some wicked Japanese food.....

What this has to do with the subject, I have no idea.

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It is so sad that a family can torn apart by something as simple as a wild pack of dogs.

badmaninc