Thank you so much for sharing! I am so glad I found your video's. I myself have felt disconnected from my culture for most of my life. I grew up with my Mother and her Mother my Gramma was a residential school survivor. I never knew my real father until I was a teen and was sent to live with him and I got to meet that side of my family and my kokum. Her first language was cree, her father my great Mushum was a trapper and never lived on res. For generations it was a way to try and protect from being sent away. They in some way in doing that lost touch with teachings, culture and community. I got to spend a short time with my Kokum before she passed from illnesses related to a bad blood transfusion she got in the 80's from tainted blood. I have always longed to be and feel connected to my culture and to have a sense of belonging. I miss my kokum greatly and wish I was given more time with her. Was the first time in my life I truly felt that I belonged and felt like I was connected to who I was/am. As a child I would hear family or people describe me as an 'indian' but never really knew what that ment until I met my father's side of the family and my kokum. Growing up I felt like it was a bad thing to be 'indian' and would hear stories from my mom about the abuse she went through from my father and her mom. I never understood until later in life about what impact residential school had on my Gramma and the impact it had on my mom and then us kids growing up. I have two daughter's and their father who I'm separated from is Chippewa. I have attended pow wows and my oldest daughter has always been drawn to fancy. I have tried my best to learn and help teach her. Her Gramma and I have made regalia for her, she has some knowledge and has taught me to sew and bead. We have done our best to make it possible for her to dance but I feel like we're missing so much and have no knowledge of the teachings. I'm trying though, we been learning as we go to each pow wow we've attended. She's now 9yrs. We just attended her family pow wow this year and it was also my little girls first pow wow, she 20mths and a wee dancer too. Your teachings have been a blessing to find. She now has some confidence and is watching your video's and practicing. Hearing your stories really hit home for me and have inspired me to keep learning and honesty don't feel so strangely disconnected now in realizing that others have also experienced a loss of culture. I've always in someway felt embarrassed that Ive been estranged from my culture. So thank you, thank you and much love. Hiy Hiy ❤️
Deanne, it's so good to see you again. 11 mo ago I was bemoaning the fact of no powwows and my bad knees. Since then I've gotten 1 new knee and plan on going to a local powwow in June. Wish me luck. I miss the drum.
My 7 yr old grandson just recently informed me that he would like to grass dance, I still have his father's regalia from when he was a young boy. He watches your video and practices some steps. Thank you for inspiring him
Thank you for sharing your stories. I was just about to give up trying to get my grandbabies (nieces) to their first pow wow and present them until I heard your story of your mom said for you to follow the women who were dancing Ahéhéé for opening my spirit again 💙🪶
Hi thanks for the video and were you that excited to dance and share it look like it good to ask how to things I know all about that but thanks for sharing your side of powwow dance or grass dancer thanks so mush and good luck with everything
I loved the education that was given with the video. Being non-native, I have many questions but will only ask one; how is it possible that none of the dancers appear to have duplicate regalias? The closest that I have seen were two teens boys who had the same black and yellow colored regalias but the color placement and design were different. I love watching the Powwow and seeing the many different regalias.
