I Experienced My First Native American Powwow 

"Don't be cheap. We are not starving." .. Natives humor is the best.

The elderly lady that gave you the beaded work for your girlfriend is a special person. That beadwork takes HOURS. Appreciate you for this video man

Native American humor right of the bat with that Cherokee princess joke 😂 native humor always ends with "we're just shitting you" 😂😂😂

I love the humbleness. After winning hundreds of dances, he simply states, "I don't know, I've done good. But I've worked really hard." I think there may be a lesson to be learned here.

As a Native American, I'm happy you are learning and sharing our culture. The outfits they wear are also called Regalia.

I love the whole cherokee princess joke. It never gets old lol

You’re such a sweet person. Thank you for visiting our MMIW booth.

I’m Peruvian, have some Inca in me (70%). I live in the US now. Whenever I’ve visited native folk the stories of my grandma about the world and tribal living or ancient costumes of earth come to life. I would not mind living with them. In all honesty, they look Peruvian to me and many feel like family. I felt right at home at the Navajo reservation when I visited.

Love this. As a Native American, my favorite part was watching you dance. Seeing how you trusted the circle, the dancers, and the drum, enough to let yourself go. You had a spiritual moment out there and I enjoyed hearing your experience after you were done dancing. Also, hearing how you felt out of place and intimidated.... now imagine being native American in a white dominated country.. we feel that same intimidation more often than not any time we leave the rez... people look at us sideways and think we're dumb just because we have different views and values of life. ❤

This is amazing. Never seen an American or Canadian youtuber that was not Native come to a reserve. Or document their time at a powwow. That is awesome you did it the right way, asking a local and being introduced. It is awesome.

real americans

I was being followed by a child predator when I was like 8 and didn’t realize it and 3 Native Americans ran up and one guy came in and just scooped me up as I was mid stride and the two other guys confronted the predator and got combative with him. I remember the police coming my mom showed up the guy got arrested and then I was invited to a powwow the following week and I had so much fun. I wonder if those guys are still around. It was in Western Massachusetts in the 90s and I’ve been gone since the early 2000s I wouldn’t even know where to look but I never forgot that day as I got older.

I'm Bulgarian and I can't help but admire the Native American people and their culture. The only reason I'd ever want to visit the USA is to get to know these wonderful people better!

As a Native American i appreciate you doing a deep dive into the religion of different culteres and tribes, your an amazing youtuber.

Native people are the best people that you’ll ever meet

the world is healing and our people are healing. to see you enjoy our culture brought me to tears. thank you.

Even though I’m not Native I have so much respect for them

Martian, I’m a New Zealander, my daughter in law is Kiowa from Oklahoma. A few years back I attended my first Pow Wow, what a spiritual experience! What fun for you to have this great experience, and participate in cooking the food, fry bread for life!

My teacher literally showed me this video and now am here watching all your videos on repeat your amazing and thanks for helping spreading the word that Native Americans are still here and we should acknowledge that more than anything. Thank you 🙏

This is the Real American Culture 🙏❤

I love native culture. My best friend is from the Navajo tribe and introduced me to the culture it was amazing to see him communicate in Diné. Loved the university pow wows. Now I want some fry bread haha

My grandmother is 1/2 Navajo and she fully encapsulated me in this culture growing up, it’s beauty, art and respect for all earth’s embodiment’s and to keep sweet grass around consistently. I love seeing appreciation and knowledge given always, the first experience of a powwow and feeling all the rhythm, power and stories was amazing to see through someone else’s eyes.

Im Ojibwe from Canada and I’m so happy to see someone opening up to learn our culture.

"don't be cheap. we're not starving, look at our bellies" 😭😭😭🤣

I literally cried when I watched the children dance. It was so moving.

I love this so much-I don't even have words to express the joy this gives me-seeing cultural immersion instead of people shouting about differences

walking through the grass in moccs is one of the best feelings. also the cherokee princess bit was hilarious :D

I’m going to one soon in October. I’m excited. I’ve been invited by a friend and I am so honored. I’m a 41 year old Caucasian woman and ever since I was a little girl, I have always prioritized following Native American beliefs, nature and animal medicine. I have a lot of respect for people continuing to fight to teach the younger generations their traditions. 🩷🪶

As a native I’m happy you’re sharing your experience at a powwow

I grew up around native Americans Navajo and 😢 hopi and mono tribes and I've learned a lot from the elders. I definitely miss Arizona and California tribes god bless my native friends and family 😊

You should hit up more powwow’s! Definitely the best feeling! Thanks for bringing more awareness to our culture . ❤

Gave me the chills. So beautiful to see.. I really don’t know what it means to be an American anymore. 🫶🏻

Thank you for showing our culture you've definitely earned the title of brother to our people and uncle to all the younger generations

Beautiful people, such a rich heritage. I hope to experience this in real life one day ❤

I’m Native American and when I saw him do the series I was really proud and I’m just happy people still know we’re here and people still care about our culture and my tribe is. Maliseet

In my state at one point they had pow wows in one of our big cities and as a kid I was super amazed it was so cool and an honor to see. I wish more pow wows were available to watch and the Native Americans were so cool to let us see some of their traditions.

I love their sense of humour . I fall for it every time.

My dad's mother is Native American and I've been estranged from them for most of my life. Watching vids like these definitely inspires me to reconnect with them. The Native community is pretty small in America, so I feel we all, especially those of Native descent have duty to keep it alive

Devon is an amazing person. love the humor. and patience with teaching!! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into this way of life.

Powwows are family reunions for Natives. We get to see relatives from all over and just be ourselves. Good times!

I want to commend you for your willingness to learn and bravery to put yourself out there! This is such a respectful representation of First Nations people! Please don’t feel bad for Strike 1 (decorations hehehe).. we can see that your intent is not to offend. Sending you encouragement to come back to the Powwow with your loved ones! 🦅🦅🦅

As a native, I really get emotional seeing videos of this high of quality about our people and culture.

I loved this so much, makes me miss pow wow szn! Thank you for showing the beauty of our culture and our communities. You got a taste of the Rez

I'm indigenous and glad your spreading our history to the world

Oki Niisokowa (Niitsitapi: Greetings my Family) I hope and pray that this comment finds you in good health & Great Spirits. Watching this video made me think of my mother, a survivor of the unholy government & church Residential School system. They took her language, her braids, and treated her inhumanly as any animal would be treated, BUT her spirit SURVIVED. in 2019 after years of beading, sewing and praying, she was the second Elder to lead the dancers at the Gathering of Nations. (If you look at the Saturday night live performance she is the lady in a turquoise beaded Buckskin dress with a hat on, it took her 7 years to do complete). Knowing her life both good and bad I cried when i saw her dance in. Later on that summer she led in all the dancers at our home celebrations on the Piikani Nation, part of the Niitsitapi Confederacy. Today at the age of 76 she is still after 47 years works in advocating for the CHILDREN of the Treaty 7 nations, both on and off. She has made history in 'their' province by becoming the public official who has been elected the most times. Serving the past 23 years as Chair of The Peigan Board of Education. A post which i feel she deserves as she herself hold two post secondary accreditation. She is the last of a generation all the people that she grew up with are nearly all gone. She also encouraged me to attend university and in 2022 I graduated from the University of british columbia with Major: Anthropo0logy & Minor: Political Science. Both her and my older sister were here to celebrate with me. Her and millions of more of our Elders were treated inhumanly, the schools systems on both side need to be brought to the forefront of conversations. I myself was a victim of the government & church Day School program in one year 45 yrs ago I was raped , beaten and humiliated I was 10 years old. And with the gov. of canada's settlement I have been raped a second time by the government with one of the most racist dehumanizing & devaluing of my life's trauma. In 2022 I was on cloud 9, today at 55 I should be 100% happy, but am at 80%. BUT I am getting back up, Seeing you take that step to understanding Made me feel good for some reason, and made me think of politicians, imagine if those responsible for the GENOCIDE the democrats, Republicans, liberals and the conservatives, if these politicians had the balls to attend a pow-wow RECONCILIATION would mean something. CHANGE only starts when one is willing to listen to the Elders and respect anothers' land, family & traditions. I Pray nothing but good things to happen to everyone in the video, those who commented, as the saying goes WE ARE ALL ONE. Take care I look forward to viewing more. Unca Matisoo'awaastaan (Crow Flag) H.C., B.A. Piikani Nation Living as a guest on the Unceded traditional lands of the Musqueam People

As a Native American I love the fact that you took the time to learn about cultures and it’s honestly the best thing I’ve ever seen but and ahow or hiy hiy whatever you wanna say

“I’ve done good but I’ve worked really hard” man is so humble about all his wins

Thank you for letting us learn along with you, and thank you to all the families for teaching us so much! This family was awesome!

I really like this videos, its respectful, tasteful, well shot and ive learned some things :) I went to one years ago as a guest when visiting over there..felt very out of place and kind of wanted to watch quietly. All the folks I met were just like these, good humoured and very warm and welcoming. Probably my favourite times when visiting America. :) would rather be like that than curled up in a city somewhere. Thanks for these vids.

it's really good seeing you learn the native culture, really makes me happy and i'm sure it makes other natives happy. it's really rare to see non natives learn the culture and how we practice our original ways. :D

Man i love pow wows, being surrounded by my people and our culture n ways is just so empowering. When I listen to the pow wow drums n singing n makes me feel sad, mad n happy all at the same time, its weird to explain

This brought the biggest smile the whole time. I wish I could re-live my first time at a powwow because it’s sooo damn fun! The “Cherokee Princess” gramma joke is icing on top😂 Come to Wisconsin some time! We could show you around and show you some of the history!

Native Americans are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.

That part about missing indigenous people one of my moms close friends has been missing for a couple years now his name was Matt Bronco he's from Forthall I hope his family gets some closure soon 🙏

My goal is to teach my kids about native American culture and educate myself cause im Chinese. They have some native American blood in them but i sadly forgot what tribe they come from but im gonna do the test for them. They have a lot of culture in them, Chinese, Mexican and Native American. I cant wait to travel the world to teach them about other cultures especially native American

Thank you for bringing this to your subscribers. This brings me so much joy. I'm smiling as I watch.

Im from the cree plains; northern alberta, canada. Im so proud of this video. Thanks for spreading awareness on our culture & values ❤

I went to my first powwow with my roommate (who actually *does* have Cherokee in his background), and so far as I'm aware, I have zero native in me, but I was welcomed just the same. The powwow I attended was the Miami people in Indiana and honestly it was awesome. I felt I fit right in and I made a ton of friends !

Thank you for sharing! Happy you had a great time! Proud that you had good sponsors, but they forgot to tell you about Indian time, loved the Cherokee princess joke 😂 Natááh'ndé Band Mescalero Apache here. I miss the powwow circuit in Northern California of the early nineties, every Gathering is the same yet each is unique. From March until October there was a pow wow happening every weekend within 100 miles of my home in those days. I Completed a four-year commitment as men's Southern traditional in that time. I see we don't have as many powwows as we used to, like we did then, and I pray that this returns. I am happy to see this pow wow was held outside, so many are indoors fees days. I remember when I was young, back in the 80s, we would build a fire in the center of the Arena. It would be good to see that again when we can do so. My regalia was retro, old school, even for that time. As dancers we put as much work into our regalia as we do our dancing. Every part of it holds deep meaning for us and it is tied to our ancestors Our Generation and the generations to come. It is good to understand that your life is not about you, your life is about your relationship with existence. In this way, even as flashy as these new regalia is these days, it is not about the individual but about relationship. These brilliant colors and flashy designs are there to Express gratitude, we have been through many hard times, and we still have hard times with so many outside influences that distract our youth, and others from right relationship: by this we shine brightly in Dark Times as a prayer for right relationship for our people, All Nations and all people, including the mineral people, plant people, and animal people. We pray for our leaders and honor our veterans, our mothers and elders. It is a good world to be in, and it is good to realize this is the spirit that America is supposed to carry. So I therefore encourage you, to take a bit of that fire, which we once built in the center of the Arena, and carry that Light Of Hope out into the world. All My Relations

I myself am Apache and am very proud to be it is very awesome to be part of the culture it is a great feeling

I love your content! I've been waiting for you to do the Native segment 😊My grandma from my mom's side was from the reservation in NM,and when you told that lady and her daughter the Cherokee princess thing cracked me up cause her expression and what she said reminded me of what my grandma would've said she was straight forward like that 😅 💙

sitting in California as someone from Canada, missing my people, my culture, my home. Makes me so emotional.. my spirit is longing to feel this again

Now attend a Feast day at one of the Pueblos here in New Mexico. We don't do pow wows but im sure you'll enjoy it.

Designer brands got nothing on this😮😊Wow I love watching all the amazing things you are doing. Such kindness from all . Love Devan teaching you so much. Teaching me so much. I'm always afraid I will offend others with all my curious questions. Thanks to Devon and all in this video I've learned so much. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

"I found out that my great great grand mother is a Cherokee princess" 🤣😭

The word Powwow is derived from the Algonquin word pauwau which meant the one who dreams or the medicine man. I learned from the elders that Chanting and dancing on the drum is good medicine to come about Post-traumatic stress disorder. These events were outlawed in Canada and US and severely punished for a long time. Governments are still in many ways trying to force natives to abandon their Indian statutes and become ordinary citizens like everyone else meaning losing their culture and identity. That's what could be called mnemonic genocide. Hopefully, things will improve as governments are being forced by international law to change their laws and recognize native rights around the world. ♾♾🌲♾♾

Hey Devo… haven’t seen any new vids on your channel, I’m glad to see you here. I’m so happy to see you and your family. Awesome powwow, great footage. 🪶♥️

I haven’t been to a powwow in waaaay too long…I am so happy to see this next generation really learn the truth in indigenous history. My father shared it with me when I was an older kid…he did all kinds of research and taught me whatever he thought was appropriate for my age. I was a teen when I saw videos and pictures of native history. Hit my first powwow and I was home. It was wild. I could feel the music. I picked up the kids dances pretty quickly. Guess I know now why my son is so good at break dancing!!! This was very educational…thank you. May all of our people find their way home!

Loved this video. Devan had an influence on my life as well. I appreciate that you are sharing your experiences.

this just popped up in my timeline & im so happy to see my people & culture being exposed to more people 🫶🏼

Yay I’m so happy u liked it!!!it takes hard work to drum and sing that’s why cough drops help them!!

Watching this from Hawaii tonight for the first time. So glad we found this content! Great work and huge mahalos to all who participated in the Pow Wow. Sending Aloha to all of our brothers and sisters reading this.

this looks all so wonderful. i hope i can visit one day. also: "oh, that's your boy?" "yeah, he just came out weird." priceless.

Incredible footage! I know every little about Native Americans and I'm very impressed at how open-minded Native Americans are. Excellent job with this video and giving us a glimpse of Native American life. Cheers!

Love your video. Keep up the work. I'm glad you took the time to learn about our culture. Yes we are very giving & love to joke around. Those guys are funny 😅. I wish there were more people like you getting to know other cultures. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. 💝🤗

Преди доста години в нашия град имаше по програма от корпуса на мира учител по английски И Тън от щатите. На него казах и така и до ден днешен още от детството ми,че Америка бих посетила само, заради коренните народи. Най-истинското, което имат.... В групата той ми каза, че има и представител на лакота, но в друг град на България. Съжалявам, че нямаше как да се срещнем. Поздрав от мен, Галина, която съучениците ми наричаха и сега индианската. Обичам ви. Пазете, всичко, което имате. ❤❤❤

“That’s my son he just came out weird” 😂😂😂😂she’s like “yeahhh”

Sooo glad there's a part 2...20min is not enough I'm off to find it now!

Истинско, истинско.... Възхищавам се на коренното население на т. н. Америка. Съхранили са се въпреки избиването, въпреки превъзпитанието, въпреки всичко.... Обичам ви.

Love this. Love Devin and his family too.😊

Samoan here,n raised in Australia. Have always wanted to visit the States just to experience Pow Wow gatherings and learn more!

LOL! Cherokee Princess! I have heard that quite a few times in my life. Or they will tell me I am Cherokee, it's hardly EVER any other tribe it's always Cherokee. I start smiling and wanting to laugh whenever I get that response.

I love that you're sharing our culture! :)

The Kindness!! Had me so emotional! And the joking is so funny how you find this in EVERY Indigenous culture, from Africa to Asia, and Oceania!!

This is so cool. I used to go to powwows because my family thought we were Native American but we weren’t I still loved going and hope to go again in the future ☺️

eagle feathers when dropped to the ground (not taken directly from their body) are a gift from the eagle, creator and mother earth, once dropped they are a symbol of honor and power, a great gift to be responsible for

My 2nd cousin was adopted into my family by my uncle on my father’s side of family. She is a Native American. I found that out in late June or early July 1993 just after dropping off my grandmother off for her visit. She spend a night at our house. My grandmother slept on the other twin bed in my bedroom. I even asked my mother is Cindy a Native American. My mother said yes. I said cool. I saw her again during my grandmother’s funeral in mid February 1994. I even held her hands during the service or something. I have seen her each year around my birthday since 2018 and even Thanksgiving. I always have a good time with her and her friend or even one of her 2 sons. My sister was surprised that she was adopted and even being a Native American. I did noticed when I first met her. My father was a good cousin and friends with her. He treated her as a part of his family. My uncle was a good father towards her.

What a fantastic video, I am Native myself of the Pomo Tribe in northern california...our ancestral area includes Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma counties...I hope one of the things you'll learn of natives from all over is our sense of humor. It is subdued at times but once an individual gets to know you a little you'll see natives are quick to smile and enjoy joking around...definitely goes against the stereotype that all natives are stoic and angry people...looking forward to watching your dance video

I love how smiley and happy everybody is, what a gem of people i wanna be a part of their family

I hope everyone is aware that the colors for much of the clothing shown here was simply not available back in the day and would have been more plain. I am Yosemite (Oo-Soo-mah-tee) Miwok and used to dance years ago and saw some of the old outfits still around in the 70's including an Owl Feather dance bustle that only one guy was willing to use as his people had no taboos about owls. I am concerned about our host not mentioning "Indian Time", if the Grand Entry is slated at 10am, don't get there for at least an hour or more beforehand. Natives know this as well as he Cherokee reference. I knew Clyde Hall from the Ft. Hall Rez, Medicine Man and Tribal Judge. Off to watch more, Meh'chuk Sus!.

Bunch of awesome people in this video. Love to experience other cultures in a respectful way.

This tradition that’s been around for thousands of years will never die

Thanks for making this video and thanks to Devon for sharing the culture with him. Great and respectful job, Guys.

Los amo, la música, la danza bella, que envidia que puedas compartir con ellos y los traten con respeto, QUE SE MERECEN ❤❤❤😘😘😘🙏

Best way to meet some indigenous people is using humor!! ❤ i love this video thank you fro giving us a chance to what we are all about.

So much of the Native American history with the boarding schools and reservations, resonates with me as an Indigenous Australian, we call ours " The Stolen Generation" and mission was made to live on a ration system.

I just wanna say thank you for spreading a good peaceful message and you got to learn about our culture do hats off sir

Bro, us natives joke around with the words "Cherokee princess" so much that we don't know if there grandmother was an actual Cherokee princess 😂 I am glad you are learning about each culture that you are experiencing. Cause your seeing how different we are on the inside than on the outside 😊❤ Edit: I love native humor- I recently keep on hearing Aunties and cousins joke Alot but it's funny 🤣

I 💗 indigenous people! They're always so kind and welcoming if you come with good intentions and to learn about their culture. It's very different but super awesome and beautiful.

Love the video and the power your doing for my people. You should, if you can come to mystic lake powwow. Here in prior lake MN. Love that your learning and helping show the world that we’re still here. ❤