Who Are Native People?

James ran to catch the bus and jumped on just before the doors closed. It was after 6 P.M., and he had to get home and have dinner before his school friends came over to work on their class history project. He hadn't had time to change from his ribbon shirt into his street clothes. That afternoon, he and other students at the Native American Education Program had posed for pictures in their regalia. James only wore his Native clothing on special occasions, like powwows and ceremonies.

"Are you an Indian?" an elderly white lady asked, her booming voice echoing throughout the bus.

"Yes," James answered in a quiet voice, trying not to draw any more attention to himself.

"Why's an Indian riding a bus instead of a horse? Indians aren't supposed to be in New York City. Don't you belong in a tipi on a reservation?"

Twelve-year-old James felt everyone's eyes on him. He wasn't sure what to do. His family taught him to be respectful to elders, but what if they were disrespecting you?

Finally James answered in a firm but polite voice. "Indian people live everywhere in this country. After all, it is our country. And I live in an apartment building, like other New Yorkers. In fact, my people never lived in tipis. There are all kinds of Native people and we are all different, but today more Indians live in cities than on reservations."

People began to cheer at his response to the rude woman. But this just embarrassed James even more. He was relieved when the bus reached his stop and he could get off.

Stereotypes of Native People

Native American people often have to deal with these kinds of uncomfortable encounters. Native people are from this country, but others are often surprised to meet them and know little about them. One reason is that books and movies often do not present the truth about Native peoples. Some make it seem as if they have all vanished. Others present all Native people as if they were all the same. When people believe that every person in a group is the same, it is called a stereotype. It is also a stereotype if people believe something untrue about an entire group of people. Stereotypes are hurtful and damaging about any group.

A way that stereotypes can be hurtful is the way Native images are used for sports teams' logos or mascots. Using these images gives the impression that Native people are objects, not real human beings. Today, many school sports teams have changed their "Indian" mascots and names to less controversial ones, making sports more enjoyable for Native people, too.

Here are some stereotypes and truths about Native people.

Native Powwows

Many different American Indian communities and organizations hold powwows, which are social gatherings. Usually social dances, not religious dances, are featured. Many powwows have dance competitions in different categories for men, women, children, and even tiny tots. Native artists and business-people add to their income by selling jewelry, books, CDs, food, and art. Powwows are a chance for people to catch up with friends and spend a day enjoying Native culture. Because Native people live all over the United States, you may have the opportunity to attend a Native event like a powwow in your area. The Resources section of this book lists Native American festivals and powwows across the country. You can also check online for a powwow in your area and plan a visit. It's important to be a polite guest and observe proper manners at a powwow.

Powwow Manners

• Don't wear "fake" Indian clothes or go barefoot. Do not wear swimsuits or clothing that bares the midriff.

• Don't use bad words or speak loudly. Do not make "whoops" or other sounds that have been used in movies to portray Indian people.

• Don't take the seats around the arena, as these are for dancers only. Bring your own seating, and ask permission before you set up your chair or blanket.

• Donate money to the Drum group, which is referred to as just the "Drum" during a blanket dance. Dancers dance around the arena with a blanket or lay it on the ground to collect donations. The money covers travel expenses for the musicians.

• Listen to the master of ceremonies for important information. Stand and remove your hat during special songs like the Grand Entry, when all the dancers enter the arena, during veteran songs, or any other time that the master of ceremonies announces a special song.

• Do not take pictures of dancers, people in regalia, or the dance arena unless you ask permission.

• Do not litter. Be responsible for your belongings.

• You can ask people questions, but don't interrupt their dancing or take up too much of their time. Do not walk across the dance arena or join in a dance unless you are invited. Guests are usually asked to dance during a round dance, or friendship dance.

• Have a good time, and be a polite guest!

Learn a Round, or Friendship, Dance

Almost every powwow features a round, or friendship, dance. Guests are invited to join the circle — it represents the circle of life, which has no beginning and no end. It is a social dance, and it's one of the few where men and women dance together. It is easy to learn and lots of fun. There are variations of the dance, but it usually starts off with the dancers going clockwise or from left to right, holding hands. Sometimes the head dancer reverses the circle for a time. Often at the end of the dance, everyone dances to the middle, still holding hands, and then back into a circle. The tunes vary and are sung in a Native language, English, or vocables. Vocables are syllables, sung to a tune, that have no meaning, like "tra-la-la." Borrow a round dance or powwow CD from the library, order one from Canyon Records (see Resources), or find a song online. You can also sound out the beat as you dance.

What You Need

Friends

Open area

Music

What You Do

1. Join hands in a circle.

2. Repeat the beat, "BOOM, boom," for a few seconds. When you feel that you have the beat, start with your feet together and step to the left on the "BOOM." Bring your right foot next to the left on the soft "boom." Keep going round and round. Think about all the good things in your life, like good friends or a sunny day.

3. After going round and round, change direction. Now step to the right on the "BOOM," and bring your left foot next to the right on the little "boom." Think of some sad or frustrating things in your life, like when you forgot to do your homework or scraped your knee. Life is full of both good and bad times.

4. Quick! Think of some good times again and change the direction to the right, the way you began.

Northeast

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