Australian Reacts to First Experience of Powwows 

I say this with respect please do not call it a costume. It is called regalia. I know people do not mean to say costume as a negative. But costume are what kids wear for Halloween. Or for dress up parties. These outfits can take years to build. Pieces are passed down from generation to generation. And are VERY expensive since beadwork can take years. Many people make this same mistake and I nor any other native I know get mad. We just politely explain what I just did. We want to share our culture with all. So ask us. We're pretty cool guys. LOL

The clothing they are wearing is actually called regalia. Some of them have been created over decades.

@FollowingGhost I've been hearing more and more "Native Americans" preferring to be called Indigenous People of America, Indigenous People, and more proudly, they only identify by their tribe's name, which I think is cool. It's so true that this country wasn't called America by the natives, and I've wondered what the tribes called their portion of land in their language. I'm multi-racial, but being born in 1968, I went from colored, black, afro American and now African American. I'm also part Cherokee, Choctaw, and of Eastern European/Jewish ancestry, but it's hard to fit in when none of your people really want you. When I was a little girl, I had hair to my waist and it was thick and not tightly coiled, and people would ask if I was "mixed" or "part indian". I've even been asked if I was descented from people of Hawaii or "the Pacific Islands". I have ancestors who kidnapped and enslaved some of my other ancestors, and stole the land and murdered some of my other ancestors. Someone from a country in Africa told me I was basically a lost child with no family ties because I'm not fully 100% of African, Indigenous or European descent. 🫤 She was a mean, woman who thought Americans were beneath her, and only came here for her daughter's wedding that my cousin and I were putting together. Anyway, I do know that I really don't have full ties because I need a certain amount of proof to possibly be accepted by any tribes, I don't know anything about my African heritage, only African American/black (I grew up knowing a little about my ancestors of Indigenous heritage) and only a tiny bit about my Jewish great-great grandfather, a doctor, who was basically run out of town when people found out he loved a biracial woman and secretly had three daughters with her. His sister kept him updated on his southern family after he went north and married a white lady. His sister made sure his daughters got the gifts and money he sent to them and their mother. I'm sorry to ramble, but your comment reminded me of how people were forced to change their lives due to others bringing misery, and how some of us are just not accepted by our own, or outsiders that we have to interact with. I love being multi-racial/ethnic, I love the variety of people and culture of this country and the world, but I wish it were a kinder place.

@@LMmccallL57 Thanks for sharing your story. So many of us don’t fit into a place or people, so we have to hold our heads up and be who we are, whether people accept us or not. I really stuck out where I grew up, but I was accepted by kind and loving people, because I was kind and loving, that goes straight to the heart and soul. I have a DIL that is African American, Black Foot Tribe, and Puerto Rican. I love her with my whole heart, she also struggles with being “mixed”. God knows she is the sweetest person, and we laugh, share life and have fun. Life is so short, and to look down at others because they’re “different” is shameful and cruel. We must get to know others, accept, encourage and lift each other up from our struggles. That is how we stay strong.

@@19bishop56 You're welcome, and thank you for taking time to read it. It sounds like we have something else in common. I grew up not meeting strangers, as I could (still can) have a conversation with anyone, or at least anyone who was kind. My mom was the same way. During my school years, I could get along with people of different races backgrounds, share interests in various types of music, and other art, etc., but sometimes I was made fun of by a few black people because I "wasn't being black" enough. 🤔 What a thing to say. 🙄 My family made sure that we knew about things outside of just watching TV. I used to be threatened by bullies saying they'd cut my hair off, (one girl did get about two inches) I was often asked why my brother has hazel/green eyes and wavy hair, why I sometimes wore beaded jewelry that "looked old", 🙄 and more. The jewelry belonged to my great-grandmother and on down. I know that a lot of people are just ignorant about certain things, including myself, so I would try to explain to anyone who was truly interested in learning. I miss the days of my great-grandmother, her siblings, my grandmother and mother teaching us about different natural medicines, how to identify what grows from the ground, walking barefoot outside because it was good for us, gathering red clay/mud, and taking time to lie on the ground and just feel and hear nature. 🙂 I was made fun of for that, too, but I didn't care. I loved that connection with my family and it just felt so peaceful.🙂 I'm happy that you and your daughter-in-law have such a loving relationship. It sounds like you're both truly blessed. 🙂

And that nation has returned bison to their tribal lands, in the SW Twin Cities Metro.

I think I went to one of those one year. I know I went to one in Alabama, so that might have been it. If my memory isn't failing me, I think at one point they invited all veterans down to dance with them. It was pretty cool.

@@buddystewart2020 If you were in Alabama it was the Poarch Creek Indians in Atmore. I'm pretty sure you enjoyed it because I did. 😉👍❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸

@@buddystewart2020 Yes, and they also solemnly honor the “Gold Star Parents” (those that have lost a son or daughter in a war). It will bring you to tears!

I feel the same way, I am caucasian and have lived in Oklahoma most of my life, and I feel the power of the drums and songs whenever I hear them. They are impressive on screen but experiencing them in person is beyond description!

@@Tackleboxandfishingpoles Love Broken Walls! Got to sing with them around the drum twice when they came to Sioux Falls a few years back. They even asked if I could open with the Flag Song. So awesome!

Glory Glory

Yes this was my issue with it, it was an intro to a summary at most. I mean if he literally did search out for more info it did it's job but there is so much more to it. The "fancy dancers" have great regalia but I prefer the more traditional. The drumming was mentioned but it wasn't even a focus in the music. Overall though I'm glad to get some attention to the native pow wow culture. I grew up in SW Michigan watching them and later to central Michigan University that is right next to Saginaw Chippewa reservation and I would attend that pow wow. The drums and the singing still give me goose bumps.

Friday

I guess if you don't know you don't know.