fDo you go to Pow-Wpws?

Yes,I have and I still go when I can afford it.Yes,my son and I danced with my young daughter.We love the music,dance,food,people,crafts,art,stories and history.We have lot's of fun.

As a child I used to go to pow-wows often, with some of the oldest members of my family. My great-grandfather was one of the better-known Native Americans of our area, and it was always funny because I would go with him to places, and I look very white, even though I am about half Native American (Blackfoot). People who didn't know me would ask my great-grandfather who the little white girl was dancing, and would always be surprised to hear that I was his relation. I used to dance, and the dance itself was very invigorating and spiritual and emotional. But much of the rest of the pow-wow's would feel so staged, after a while. The same thing all the time, and so many people taking part that didn't seem to be interested in really learning the history so much as just buying things or seeing the sights. After most people left, my great-grandfather and some of his friends would have another dance, and tell stories late into the night. I loved those times. I don't think I ever bought anything at a pow-wow, but I did receive many things as gifts, often in return for helping do tasks while setting up or taking down pow-wow sites, or because the person enjoyed my dance. I haven't been to a pow-wow in many years. In a way, I fear going now, because there are so many bad parts of my youth that I want this good one to remain untarnished, if that makes any sense.

I haven't been to a pow-wow in a long time. Being from Oklahoma thats wierd..lol. We have so many tribes here, and during the summer theres usually a few pow-wows going on somewhere every weekend. I do enjoy going to them, I plan on going to one again, in the near future. It always makes me proud of my heritage, and being Native American. I think the Native Americans are such beautiful, spiritual people. I don't dance, I never could dance...lol. But I know alot of people that do. I think if someone has a chance to go to one, they should, they will enjoy it.