Hola! mi amigos!
I trust all is well in your world and you’ve been badgering “Santa” for those keen Chicken Dance dance clothes & accessories you’re after. Don’t forget to be as helpful as possible when asking for these gifts, as “Santa” might not know where to go to buy pair of beaded cuffs or a sweet set of dance bells. Remember: A Scout is Helpful. Especially when it comes to getting something you want!
Speaking of Helpful, we all need help – especially when it comes to putting together a set of OA AIA dance clothes. There are so many different skills and materials involved in the construction of a set of these clothes there is no way any of us could accomplish this endeavor on our own. And while dance clothes are not judged they are a very important part of your dancing presentation. Dance clothes matter in the powwow world. With two dancers of equal ability, the better dressed dancer will score higher. That’s the way it works in Indian America.
I’ve been involved in the Order of the Arrow, and its American Indian Activities since 1972 and over the years I’ve realized this: If we’re going to do American Indian Activities, we need to do them like the American Indians do. There’s no point in reinventing the wheel, as the Indian peoples of North America have perfected the ‘art’ of being ‘Indian’. It is also out of respect for these cultures which we admire that we attempt to do our best to ‘do it right’ when replicating the activity.
Okay, if we’re going to do American Indian Activities the way American Indians do, then It Takes a Family to Dress a Dancer. Help is required – right? Right! Many years ago there was this notion in Scouting that a Scout should make his own dance clothes. Well, that idea is fine if your dance clothes consist of a ‘loin cloth’ and a feather in your hair. But nowadays powwow dance clothes on the North American Plains are more elaborate and more visually incredible than possibly ever before; here’s a ton of work involved in being appropriately dressed. And that’s why we need help.
Getting this help can be challenging when your immediate family is not American Indian, that’s for sure. So, you need to turn to your Scouting family, and your OA family and AIA family for the help you need. And help may come in the form of a LOAN of clothing, not just help in making an item.
So, we all know to be a serious contender in the American Indian Activities dance arena we need to be as well-dressed as we can possible be. This is the American Indian approach.
-This does NOT mean you need to MAKE all of your dance clothes.
-This does NOT mean you need to OWN all of your dance clothes.
It just means you need to show up to an AIA dance competition well-dressed and ready to do your very best on the dance floor. (It’s always helpful to have an understanding of what you’re wearing, too.)
Now Get Help!
Tim Caster
