Long Time Dancing

Ever since time began being kept, many different aspects of life have been formulated. Leaders have been making speeches, educators have been teaching, towns have been built and even new, "countries" have been discovered. Then as different cultures were, "discovered" certain live styles were forever changed.

But even as the pyramids were discovered and lost civilizations were uncovered, one very important aspect of their pasts surfaced to show similar functions ... dance. No matter from Europe, the Far East or here in the United States, dance has been a major part in all facets of life.

I am one of the lucky ones. My mom and dad started me dancing when I was about two or three years old. Back then in the 1950's, we danced for specific reasons. The community events held back then were called, "doings". As I have found out in later years, these, "doings" occurred all over the place. Then as time went on, Pow Wows became the norm. I can't speak of other cultures and their dance, but I know a small amount of why I dance and why its important in our way of life.

Big Band music, Rock-N-Roll, Polkas, Salsa, Hip Hop and even Disco, just to name a few are part of the scene in American entertainment. Even Square Dancing and Clogging from the hills of West Virginia are still in practice today. But each dance and each style of music has one of the same basic goals ... to have fun.

When I go to Pow Wows today I always have a good time. No matter if I'm dancing or just attending to rekindle old friendships and get together with old friends and family, its always good to be around people who like having a good time. But we also have one other main goal when we dance ... to carry on our traditions and to always honor those who went before us.

My Dad's Dad came to the United States when he was a teenager. He was from the Czech Republic. I never got to meet my Grandfather, but for several years I have written to my family back in the, "Old Country" as my one Aunt called it. I've even been able to meet one of my cousins when she came here a few years ago on a work visa. So just as I have been told by certain people of their backgrounds, I am a descendant from the Czech Republic. But, unlike people who tell me they are descendants of Indian people, I would NEVER travel there and partake of their way of life because I was born and raised Indian. Now, I would join in on any dances or celebrations they engage in, but only if I was asked. But non-Indian people who feel they have some "right" to join us are really dishonoring who and what we are.

I have attended many other ethnic festivals and I am amazed by the color, pageantry, food, language and dance, but I try my best to honor them in a respectful way. I would never think of going to Africa and joining in on a celebration I have no idea about, nor would I try and dance with the Aztec dancers. Those traditions are theirs, not mine. But for some reason, people who have this much Indian blood in them and have been told or have read of their ability to show their culture most times have no idea the disrespect they are showing our elders.

The Boy Scouts of America have told me more times than I care to remember that the, "Order of The Arrow" gives them the right to hold ceremonies, dance and earn, "badges" to become an eagle scout. How ironic for this "honorable" group of people to be able to do this, but they will not allow gays to be part of their "groups". If the Boy Scouts are really wanting to honor Indian people and our ways, then I guess they rewritten their books so the "Third Gender" people are not significant. Shame on them. But then again, this is America and I have seen far too many people and groups alter things to fit their own parameters. But society still looks down on Indian people because we still carry on our ways as were taught to us even before the Europeans landed on our shores.

Dance, dance dance. Dancing is a way of our life, no matter our culture, no matter our taste in music, no matter if we even don't have the talent to become the new Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis or Dancing Harry. We all dance for various reasons, but if you are at a cultural gathering or a ceremony from another culture, before you attack the dance floor or area, try and show some respect and wait to be invited. Even at Pow Wows, the MC will always announce when "everyone" in attendance is invited to join in. But if you have this much blood, have read books and listened to pow wow music and have been told by your Great, Great Uncle that its ok for you to dance, then by all means, please do. Just do me a big favor, ok? Kindly float away from me... I'd hate to over step because of your 21st Century moves!