Vince Two Eagles: Summertime means powwows and Sundances

As far as I know, pow wows are usually open to the public. There will not only be many different styles and types of dances and dancers but it is not uncommon to see Indian Name-Giving, Wiping of the Tears, Honoring and other ceremonies. Additionally, it is quite common to see Giveaways (these are quite often “Memorial Ceremonies” remembering those have deceased).

The Sundance on the other hand is a bird of a different feather, so to speak. Many traditional Indian people who still practice the old religious ceremonies believe it is disrespectful to allow non-Indians to either participate or observe the Sundance. This is, of course, their right.

If, on the other hand, the dancers or the sponsor of the Sundance think it is alright to allow non-Indians to attend and/or participate then so be it. The bottom line is that you have to ask before attending or participating in this very sacred ceremony.

I know the allowing of non-Indians to attend a Sundance, let alone participate in one, is highly controversial in Indian country. Even among Indian people I have observed a tendency to generalize ritual. This means that there are those who say one way of conducting a Sundance is right while another way is wrong. It is next to impossible, in my estimation, to win such an argument especially when we know different Tiyos’payes (Indian families) have their own particular way of doing things.