I haven’t been much for truly embracing my Native American heritage. While my ancestors came from Oklahoma (by way of the Trail of Tears) and I’m a card-carrying member of the Cherokee Nation, I grew up in Los Angeles. There is a thriving native culture in Los Angeles, but my mother never got involved with it. Hence, I usually look at it from afar. Every once in awhile, though, the drums will sound in my ear and I’ll need to dig a little deeper into who I am. As my sister, who is very much in to pow wow culture, had just visited me, I thought I would take a jaunt to a local pow wow to check it out.
For those who don’t know, pow wows are gatherings of Native Americans to dance, commune, sing, eat and celebrate Native American cultures. These are multi-nation (Indian nation) gatherings. People from many different tribes come together. All are welcome, even non-natives. In fact, for select dances, everyone may be invited into the arena to dance, even those not in regalia.
While I didn’t dance, I did eat. A very non-native ice cream and a traditional “Indian” taco, which has taco fillings on a piece of fry bread. Yum!
Outfit Details
I was dressed in very non-native attire.
Sweater – Modcloth
Top – Modcloth
Skirt – Modcloth
Purse – Vintage
Shoes – Fitzwell
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It was nice to take a moment, listen to the music and enjoy an afternoon appreciating my heritage.
7 comments so far.
Thank you for sharing your heritage! I've got Asian ancestry on my grandfather's side but the cultural side of things got completely ignored, and I often do wonder about that side of things. It's important to keep in touch with roots. (I don't ignore my European roots, but they're all around me, it's impossible for me not to engage with those so I don't need to do it consciously.)
I hadn't realised that members of Native American nations carried cards – is that a figure of speech, or is it a real thing and a little like a passport in some ways?
Mim, no its a real thing, at least with the Cherokee. I had to prove I was Cherokee by showing my descendants that they could track via old tribal rolls to prove I was what I said I was. As a card carrying member, I can vote in tribal elections, if I lived in Oklahoma and needed assistance I could get tribal healthcare, etc.
Mim, no its a real thing, at least with the Cherokee. I had to prove I was Cherokee by showing my descendants that they could track via old tribal rolls to prove I was what I said I was. As a card carrying member, I can vote in tribal elections, if I lived in Oklahoma and needed assistance I could get tribal healthcare, etc.
How beautiful. Good for you, Patricia! I think that we can each be served so well, and on so many important levels, by connecting with our ancestral roots, wherever they may hail from.
♥ Jessica
Ah, thank you for the explanation!
You look great. I went to a pow wow years ago it was so fun. I think it's great your embracing your fascinating heritage
Retro rover
Thanks tubby3pug!