stillrezin

gator

I feel like I'm one of those wannabes or hobbists right now. I have just started posting here. I have a post in spectators introducing myself.

I dance the circle and found that I feels as if I should have been there all my life. It feels like home. I have been going to powwows most of my life but was not permitted in the circle. I entered the circle as an adult just after I was married. My wonderful wife is native and has been dancing all her life. She introduced me into the circle. I have also hosted several givaways and have done much for the native people. I find a great happiness in what I do for the people. The feelings I have are all the thanks I need for what I do. I have a native teacher. He was born and raised on his Reservation. We talk almost every day. He tells me that I have the heart of a native but the skin color of a white man.

There are a lot of people out there like me who dance but cannot yet find their native connection because of lost records or do not have enough blood in them to get regestered as a tribal member. Are we wannabes or hobbists because we cannot prove our connections yet?

This post is not intended to show any disrespect. Please do not take my post as an attack. I need to know exactly your definition of a wannabe or hobbyist. I hope I am assuming correctly by saying "NO NATIVE BLOOD" will be your anwser.

stillrezin

gator

Stillrezin,

Thank you. I just feel lost because I cannot find the connection as of yet.

My wife tells me that I cannot use dance regalia in the circle as of yet untill i find my connection. I can understand and repect that. She has made me several very nice ribbon shirts I use. For now that is just fine. To me being in the circle is a very spiritual thing. I also get very disturbed when trash is left at the edge of the circle by spectators. I'm usually the first one to pick it up and toss it into a trash can.

I'm not out in the circle to show off. It feels like home to me.
At a powwow I'm almost always the first one up and at the circle. I like to just sit and watch the mist rise from the circle while I do my morning prayers . Sometimes I will hear a flute in the background that someone is playing or a hand drum. The songs comfort me and give me such a wonderful feeling inside. There have been many times that people have asked me what I am doing at the circle so early. I tell them what I have just told you. Some smile and accept and others just shake their heads not understanding. I have been watched but never asked to leave the area.

If I never find my connection, I will still make sure my children always have their mothers' connection to the people.

billyjoejimbob

There have been MANY threads about this subject in the past but here is some NEW views I came up with.

HOBBYIST, WANNABES, ETC- Those people that dress up like Indians for the weekend and call eachother brother and sister and uncle and aunt. The same people they call Bob, Sue, Andy and Bill during the week. The people who cant dance or sing and refuse to learn. The people who buy their beadwork in pawn shops or ebay. The people who sing, but dont know the translation of the words they are singing. The people who dance who dont know the history of the style they dance or what the outfit parts mean.

I dont think there is a term for the NON NDN people who powwow FOR REAL. Is there?

OldSchool'n

Not for sure. What do you consider "non-NDN" people?

I have heard the term "topwaters" referring to folks (both native and white) that are ignorant of traditions, lore, history, etc, but yet participate. I suppose because they are only floating on the top and have never seen that is which is beneath. Just assuming though.

I have no REAL problem with hobbyist for the most part. There are some really good white people who participate and respect and represent the native people very well. There are others that are ridiculous and disrespectfull. You could say the same for some that pow wow, not all of which are white.

Right now there is a clear and distinct line that seperates the hobbyist and the pow wower (is that a real word??? ). There are cross-overs. Some good, and some bad. One of the most devoted and spiritual person I ever meet was not native at all in blood. However, he respresented all that is native.

Being all native blood should not secure you a place in the circle no more than not being native blood should exclude you from it. Times are changing which will require a more open mind by all, both native and non-native people.

Kiwehnzii

I love them. They make my heart soar. Aye.