Post by beaudro on Aug 30, 2009 23:23:36 GMT -5
With the recent comment of sacred ceremonies I thought I would bring to attention something going on here in Oklahoma.
Myself and a few freinds go to Pow-wows often as we can. My first one was strange to me, I honestly felt out of place. I didn't know how to act and didn't know what to do. I needed someone to take me under their wing but didn't know anyone. I finally got the nerve to ask, whats a white boy suppose to do here.
The answer I got was even more strange,, they told me to dance. My reply was,, "Can I do that>?>" ,, certainly, and it's encouraged. All i had to do was follow the Master of Ceremonies and act respectful to everyone. Not much different than a texas barn dance.
I still didn't think I belonged at other ceremonies, but i was encouraged to be a part of everything they did. I've probably been to a dozen different nations pow-wows and they all welcome anyone. This includes a Rite of Passage for a Sac and Fox girl. It's actually great to visit a pow-wow and now I have a few freinds who include me in several ceremonies as well.
At times this may have been different, but it's certainly not anymore, it's common now to advertise about ceremonies. This promotes good relations with everyone, plus it takes out some of the misconceptions about Native Americans.
I probably have asked some of the worst questions and never once was I checked for it. I only got the best answers anyone could give me. The number one thing I have ever been told to do at pow-wows was to just have fun. I"ve met some real interesting and knowledgeable people and it's been great. If you ask about sacred things, they'll tell you.
Myself and a few freinds go to Pow-wows often as we can. My first one was strange to me, I honestly felt out of place. I didn't know how to act and didn't know what to do. I needed someone to take me under their wing but didn't know anyone. I finally got the nerve to ask, whats a white boy suppose to do here.
The answer I got was even more strange,, they told me to dance. My reply was,, "Can I do that>?>" ,, certainly, and it's encouraged. All i had to do was follow the Master of Ceremonies and act respectful to everyone. Not much different than a texas barn dance.
I still didn't think I belonged at other ceremonies, but i was encouraged to be a part of everything they did. I've probably been to a dozen different nations pow-wows and they all welcome anyone. This includes a Rite of Passage for a Sac and Fox girl. It's actually great to visit a pow-wow and now I have a few freinds who include me in several ceremonies as well.
At times this may have been different, but it's certainly not anymore, it's common now to advertise about ceremonies. This promotes good relations with everyone, plus it takes out some of the misconceptions about Native Americans.
I probably have asked some of the worst questions and never once was I checked for it. I only got the best answers anyone could give me. The number one thing I have ever been told to do at pow-wows was to just have fun. I"ve met some real interesting and knowledgeable people and it's been great. If you ask about sacred things, they'll tell you.