The Sun Dance. The Ghost Dance. Powwows. These are all
things that I had heard about while growing up, but never understood. Just what were these
mysterious ceremonies that Indians did, and why did they go through them. They were
usually described as rituals where gross, violent sacrifices were performed, or where
Indians sat around smoking a "Peace Pipe," talking and drinking.
Susan Power's Grass Dancer and James Welch's Fools Crow give realistic descriptions of some traditional ceremonies. Through reading Welch's description of the Sun Dance ceremony, I realized that the sacrifices done during that are similar to the sacrifice which I have learned from birth to admire and worship - the crucifixion. Both are a sacrifice of flesh. Though not performed for exactly the same reasons, both sacrifices can be seen as beautiful and loving sacrifices, and sacrifices necessary to maintaining faith and identity.
Power's description of the Powwow was also different from what I expected. As a white person who has never actually attended a Powwow, I had only heard the term used in a joking way about holding a meeting where deals were sealed by smoking a pipe and then everyone sat around talking and drinking. I had heard some time ago that some dancing went on, but I knew nothing about any of the dances.
Power's story, centered around the Powwow circuit, showed me a whole new side of the Powwow. I learned that the dancing was one of the most important parts of the Powwow, and that there were different dances and songs for different things, such as the Grass Dance to prepare the dancing ground, the Grand Entry, the Fancy Dancers, and the song for war veterans.
I also was shown once again how the image I had of what Indians acted like was based on nothing but romanticized white stories. The people at the Powwow were no different than any person I have met. The boys and girls got crushes on each other, listened to the same music on their radios, and joked with their friends in exactly the same way I have all my life. The only difference I found was the tie the people could feel, even to those that they did not know well. I envy that tie, and the closeness of the Indian culture.
Back to: Native American Literature page
Yellowdrake's home page
