indian-heart-beat

Dagnome

When I said "I may be getting ahead of myself here" I think I was right. I must have a diffrent way of thinking than most. I am still learning, I cant stress that enough. The topics and replies I made are not meant to attack anyone, or to try to re-write traditions. Someone said "You cant choose to be native", that is true, but there is a certain way of life that can be lived. That is what I chose. I keep an open mind about these subjects, I am learning alot from the responses I have read.

I more or less try to spark up conversations rather than make myself a target. I dont have a question that needs answering on this topic. I just thought it would be good to get peoples opinions out in the open beacuse this is a "issue" that I see at powwows.

My responses may seem null in thought or "one sided", but I can only give my own responses or opinions from what I know. Like I said,I cant stress enough that I have alot to learn, and I can say thank you to the people who are engaged in these silly conversations with me. I am taking what I know, and seeing how much more I need to learn. I am not thinking im going to learn it all in a weeks time, im not that ignorant. I will be learning for a very long time, and I can only hope tha through the teachings of others that I may one day know enough and make the humility I have shown over the years worth something.

Thanks

indian-heart-beat

Dognome,

your conclusion sounds good to me.
You are still learning. I am still learning and will never finish.
To me you are welcome. Young man.

wannabeUrNo1Snag

[quote=Dagnome]
Let me state that he isnt trying to "fit in". Our drum is not composed of 100% Native's. This is his way of honoring his heritage, I think that most, that have an open mind, would realize this and not criticise it so quickly. I am not saying that there are no rules and guidlines to this, no no, I do agree that there are rules and guidlines. Maybe I am being to critical, but I dont see anything wrong with him trying to honor his own heritage. People that do similar things (maybe without a kilt) are not as noticed as he, but, has anyone thought that maybe the way he choses to do it is just diffrent from the norm? People dont like change. Well, I nor he see a problem with it, we all do what we feel is right. Free-will is a gift some of us choose to practice.[quote]

wouldn't a proper way for this person to honor his culture be to actually particiapte in his own cultural event?? if i saw this guy at a powwow in his kilt i'd think he musta made the wrong turn somewhere...strange..but then again a drum group with white guys is also strange

__________________
"would u like to lick the frybread greaze off of my lippz??"

check out - http://www.iGive.com/porcupineclinic

billyjoejimbob

nOT TO START ANYTHING NEW, but learing lakota ways and singing and dancing is HONORING the NDN heritage. Shouldnt you honor the NDN heritage by making sure your ALL NDN in your ways, songs and outfits?

Again I say, honoring the scot heritgage would be done at the games. Would you wear a bustle to the games?

this is just the way my mind thinks.

I have seen a guy in full garb with kilt and all at a powwow a few times. he wasnt wearing ANYTHING ndn.

Wojapi4Me

I still say its stupid

So, he's honoring his heritage by participating in another's culture's event? Don't get it. Not saying he shouldn't be singing, but don't bring another culture's things into this...its...just stupid LOL

__________________
If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

kiyaanii mom

Yes, if you are not ndn and you try to wear a native outfit, you are putting on a costume and pretending to be something. If you or anyone is not ndn you will never be, no matter what clothes you wear or how much history you learn.

Your own example, of your "friend" wanting to wear a kilt, is not honoring the tradition you have "decided" to follow.

This is a prime example of why many, many ndns do not want non-natives wearing our traditional clothes.

Dagnome

This is very true. I understand completly why you wouldnt want us non-natives wearing traditonal clothes. I dont dance in order to try to be Native, I do it for spiritual reasons. I have danced at powwows with no regelia. People think I look funny, and I must say when I wear regelia I feel kind of foolish, like I am trying to "fit in". I am stuck in a tiff right now about that.

scorpiostwin11_76

I have been reading the posts, and noticed that there are true feelings coming out in this thread. I would like to state my point of view. I'm not trying to debate, this is only MY OPINION. I am a N8V woman, my people RESPECT the drum. Respect comes along with culture. My Dad, uncles, and brothers sing at the big drum. My male relatives tell me that there is a certain protocol while singing at the big drum, and respect is one of the main elements to that protocol. My uncles are always correcting we younger people about respecting the big drum.

Women in my tribe are not allowed to sit at or hit on the big drum. In some cases we arent' even allowed to handle the drum sticks. My great grand mother also told this to the females in our family. She said that there are certain traditions our people follow while singing at the drum.

My opinion is that there must be respect to the drum. I feel that someone honoring another culture is cool. As far as the drum is concerned the way we N8V people believe that it is a huge part of our culture. Respect is what this all boils down to. I don't want to state my point of view on the kilt thing, but I would say that maybe it isn't appropriate in some cases. I guess it doesn't hurt, but WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHAT IT IS TO RESPECT OUR ELDERS!

coming from a N8V woman I am sure my opinion doesn't really matter, but I wanted to post my feelings on this issue.