Interview by Dr. Dawn Karima, Native American Culture Editor
Q) You are a remarkable dancer! What would you like to tell us right away?
A) I am from the home of Northern Cree!
Q) What is your Native heritage?
A) I am born of Cree Descent.
Q) What are some of your tribal values that shape your character? How so?
A) My values, which assist in the shaping of my character, are to express myself with the world and to never be ashamed of who I am and where I am from and to always represent myself, my family as well as my tribe and even my nation on a global scale.
Q) Dancing is such an important part of your life. Why?
A) To me dancing is a powerful form of expression…mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically.
Q) How would you describe the meaning of dances to someone who had never been to one?
A) I would begin to share the idea of how each style of dance symbolizes a certain story and how each dance portrays signs of story telling of each dancer.
Q) Powwows.com is dedicated to our culture and traditions. Why do you think powwows matter so much?
A) I encourage and invite people to attend and witness the art of song and dance to possibly receive a blessing of their own.
Q) What changes in you when you wear your regalia?
A) The energy creates a gradual change in attitude and possibly prepares me to portray a significant story that relates to a certain area of the land.
Q) How do you feel when you dance?
A) I feel full of strength and capable to help someone, when I dance I go into a trance like state of mentality which I hold sacred and bless the meaningful purpose of the powwow.
Q) What are the spiritual values at the core of your dancing?
A) To always encourage other traditional minded friends, relatives and loved ones, and to remember to dance for those people in wheelchairs who may possibly wish they can dance.
Q) How do those internal ideas influence your dancing?
A) These internal ideas help me think positive and that miracles exist and it keeps me praying to help perform a miracle to help a spectator mentally, physically, emotionally even spiritually.
Q) How did you start dancing?
A) I was born into the culture of the ceremony and celebrations of the first nations people and I found an interest through friends and relatives participating.
Q) How did you know that this was what you truly wanted to do?
A) I was born into expressing myself through dance. As well as my father did a lot of cultural performances and invited me along to share my culture and style of dance with the world.
Q) How did you choose your dance category?
A) My dance style had come to me through a dream.
Q) What does dancing your particular style mean to you?
A) The specific 4 men's styles of dance mean a lot to me. Grassdancers clear the pathway. Chickendancer is the camp nightwatch. Traditional dancers represent the protector of the tribe. Fancy dancer is the camp athlete.
Q) How do you define your personal style of dancing?
A) My personal style of dance changes in every song, mood, I am different and that entirely on its own sets apart myself from other dancers. Dance is something you just need to see and understand for yourself.
Q) Please tell us about your regalia? Are there stories behind some of your colors and designs? We'd love to hear!
A) Yes, my regalia is made by those in my circle of loved ones that help us fulfill prayers each time the colors are worn. The designs on my outfits are in correlation to symbolic prayers for specific reasons.
Q) What do you think folks will learn about themselves as they attend dances? What do you hope that they will discover about Native People and Culture?
A) I believe that people learn that even with a small grain of DNA in their aboriginal bloodline within their human body that they will easily be drawn to express themselves through the healing powers of song and dance.
Q) What do you think makes a dancer successful and makes a powwow powerful?
A) I was told growing up that everyone is a good dancer, they just need to practice, and each powwow is a blessing because of the social networking intended for unification.
Q) What do you wish we knew about you that we don't already know?
A) I need you to know that I am only human and continue to do my best to share culture with everyone who is willing to learn as well I am humbled honorably to advocate for all our ancestors and predecessors before us.
Q) We appreciate you so much! Thanks for sharing your noble perspective with us!
A) Thank you for interviewing me! Hoka-hey dance your style dancers and if you need to walk than walk in beauty. Aye-hye, washtaenaw, merci, mahsi-cho, nizoh.
Dr. Dawn Karima is the host of A CONVERSATION WITH DAWN KARIMA, a Native American talk show that airs on radio stations, internet radio and free podcasts at http://talktainmentradio.com/shows/conversationwithdawnkarima.
