grey

Hello,
My son is in an Indian Dance Class, it is an inter tribal class and the group will perform in local powwows. I do not know what Cherokee-specific regalia he should have. While the kids learn to dance the parents make the regalia. They are going to help me make a ribbon shirt and moccasins. If anyone has further info on what else he needs please share. Thanks,
Grey

hobbs49

Grey you mention an Indian Dance Class. I was wondering who was offering this class? What age group is your son in? Pre-Teen, Early Teen, Late Teen, older? I can't say that I've really heard of such a thing before. You also mention that the class will perform in local powwows. Where are these powwows? Who is/are the sponsoring organization(s)?

This seems really different from anything that I've heard of before.

Privateer6

I sent you an email, but one thing I forgot in it is that the "class" should have that information already.

grey

I'm in colorado, sounds like the resources are different in nc. there are many different tribes in the us and the teachers do not happen to be cherokee, and are not experts on the particular traditions of the over 500 tribes in the country. they do not want their group to be "pan-indian," they want their dancers to have regalia specific to their tribe, and so do i. so i disagree that they should have that information already, i think that's too much to expect unless it's their tribe.

the powwows in our area are held by different groups, the center that teaches the class, area high schools, and the denver march powwow for example. my son is 12 and in the 6th grade.

its too bad you don't have an indian center. their programs are great. they had a christmas dinner and a family fair with college and scholarship info for kids. its a great place to meet other parents. their website is denverindiancenter.org. i'm sure it's different in other states. i like living in colorado, people are very friendly and welcoming here. the only thing i don't like is the weather.

so now that you know his age group do you have other ideas for regalia?

jessica

hobbs49

Grey, No, I'm no expert in Cherokee dance clothing. I was just trying to figure out what this was that was offering "classes." Honestly, I was thinking that it was sounding kind of like a Boy Scout deal. Sometimes people won't come out and say that so my next clue would have been the age group.

Now that the situation is clearer, you may hear back from more folks. Make sure to check your Private Messages as some might prefer to respond directly to you.

Finally, I agree with your assessment of Colorado! I spent a few years in Thornton and Denver and I really enjoyed my time there; even the weather.

BTW, about 15 years ago, they used to put on a nice powwow a couple of hours north at the University of Wyoming. But it sounds like you're already hooked into many dances.

Good luck with the dance clothes

CHEROSAGE

Hey there Grey,Jessica. I hope and pray allis well with you and your family. I, also hope and pray that your experience here in Powwows.com is very comfortable.

I don't know of any Powwow clothes that we have as a Traditional wear. As you may know we aren't traditionally a Powwowing Tribe, Though we really like to Powwow. Our poeple had other ceremonials not like the western peoples who had the InLonshkas, ect.. I am saying these things as a Cherokee but may say something about Powwowing as an Osage later. Those of us who are Multicultural have many MIXED up things in our families.

I know that many Cherokees in the OK area have taken on many different dance styles. Those with Osage, Quapaw, Ponca, Kiowa, etc. mix may dance in the Straight dance styles of those families. Some are more comfortable as a Feather dancer, fancy. Some even have taken on the Northern Tradish styles. I suppose IF you really want to go back a couple of hundred years you may look at some pics and find the center seam leather leggins, center seam mocs, cloth ribbon shirts, calico in cloth design, and a cloth turbin. PM if you think maybe I could help you sopme more.

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BOB

tsuj510

there is (or used to be a couple of years ago) a very legitimate class on powwow taught at SFSU. I had the pleasure of helping out with this college credit course and many of the students were genuinley interested in the topic.

Not something you;d see back home in MO, but very legit nontheless..