There are many many many admirable people, tribes, cultures, and countries worldwide. And all of those admirable people. tribes, cultures, and countries have deep flaws, as well.
Pretendians and wiccans, love it. Being blond and blue eyed I never figured to even attempt being a pretendian. A goofy white man, no problem. I can so relate to the joy of being amongst people again.
Your story elicited True confessions ( told and listened to with compassion) of goofy white people! ( Yes I am one). I am so glad you got out in the world! As the parent of a medically fragile daughter I have no life ( always caregiving). So those moments of re-entering the world and falling in love briefly with everyone are familiar to me! May you - safely - have more of them.
Best closing line, "I was briefly in love with everyone, even the white people." How we do need those moments of reprieve from the grind and chaos! Hurray! You went! And ate! And watched! Also, thanks for introduction to new word to me, pretendians. Great word.
Thanks for your compassionate inclusion--even pretendians matter and are trying to defy artificial boundaries of race and class, in their tender ways. I like your heart and love your words and spirit. Gestures may seem effete or hollow but they are still motions towards justice and if earrings are tiny they're still a beginning, as poetry precedes legislation, in a more eloquent phrasing ... never stop writing. Your singular voice is greatly needed. I've read all your books and recommend them to friends. I would like to know what books are on your shelves.
I loved your piece here! I’ve been to that powwow many times in the past and wanted to go this weekend but am dog sitting four shelties who are quite demanding so I had to miss it this time. But one of my sweetest memories of the Daybreak Star Powwow is the Sobriety tipi and the AA meetings we attended in it. Listening to the recovery stories inside it with the drumming out in the ring was some really beautiful medicine.
I love this essay- thanks! Guess I recognize myself as one of the goofy white people who have been to numerous Powwows. I was a guest at a Reservation Powwow ( Crow), when I was visiting my sister and her husband in Montana in late 70’s . Neat experience for a white teenager. Wish I could remember the specifics, but had smoked hash, so all that remain are warm and pleasant vibes from the several day visit.
Thank you for this. A white person who has lived in rural towns in the west, I have been to many. Your piece reminded me of the time in took my dad to one. I had my own powwow blanket with fringes and danced slowly around the powwow circle. I love the rhythm of the songs. No pretending here. Just a lover of beauty and meaning. Next year, I may try to go.
And I am thrilled that you are returning to the world. We have to live, after all.
Speaking as a goofy white guy (on oh so many levels), I think we long for a sense of belonging. Maybe that’s why some of us pretend to be Indians. 1/128th of something beats being 100% un-wanted wretched refuse. Personally, I build my own tribe. Purebreds and mutts, all are welcome. Be kind, be helpful, be creative. Bonus points for a readiness to laugh.
Oh, ,y gosh! White America includes Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Springsteen and Dolly Parton. Martin Scorcese and Ida Lupino. And the list of genius white Americans goes on and on and on.
I was once married to a pretendian - though with his pale freckly skin and reddish blond hair, I'm not sure how he thought he might pass. I grew up in a town next to an Ojibwe reservation, my 5th grade teacher was Ojibwe and attempted to teach us some of the language and culture (though none stuck, sad to say). I never went to a powwow, though. If I do, now I know who to dress up as. ;)
Love, love, love this essay. To me, it is about tolerance mixed with the need to belong and joy of belonging. This is the stuff of peace and love. It is the power of laughing instead of fuming. It is the escape hatch on the purity spiral. Thank you.
My favorite article of all times. I was born and raised in Tulsa, ok and was only interested in Indian culture, art, etc. I told everyone I was Indian. Still do sometimes even tho I don’t have a drop of Indian blood. My boyfriend in high school was Cherokee. Some Indian people did look like it al all. Most Indians are pretty much screwed here in their country. Am glad you had fun. I have a beautiful squash blossom necklace my parents bought me and I wear it rarely. I hate all Republicans except for a couple and the news is depressing.😷🙈💘
I do my best to avoid the daily news. It’s too reflexive and aimed for impulsive emotional response. I try to read mostly long form journalism—the long pieces that take more time and care.
There are many many many admirable people, tribes, cultures, and countries worldwide. And all of those admirable people. tribes, cultures, and countries have deep flaws, as well.
Some of us know you Indians were right about this world. It's not guilt, it's reverence.
Pretendians and wiccans, love it. Being blond and blue eyed I never figured to even attempt being a pretendian. A goofy white man, no problem. I can so relate to the joy of being amongst people again.
Thanks
It was a weird feeling to be so happy and yet pretty dang sure I was gonna get sick. But, hey, I got to keep the joy and dodge Covid.
Your story elicited True confessions ( told and listened to with compassion) of goofy white people! ( Yes I am one). I am so glad you got out in the world! As the parent of a medically fragile daughter I have no life ( always caregiving). So those moments of re-entering the world and falling in love briefly with everyone are familiar to me! May you - safely - have more of them.
Thank you, Colette. I hope you are able to find times of solitude in your life as a caregiver.
Thanks 👍. I am, fortunately! Sometimes it's in reading, and your work is a prominent feature!!!
Best closing line, "I was briefly in love with everyone, even the white people." How we do need those moments of reprieve from the grind and chaos! Hurray! You went! And ate! And watched! Also, thanks for introduction to new word to me, pretendians. Great word.
“Pretendians” was coined in the Indian world many decades ago. Nobody knows where it was first coined.
Thanks for your compassionate inclusion--even pretendians matter and are trying to defy artificial boundaries of race and class, in their tender ways. I like your heart and love your words and spirit. Gestures may seem effete or hollow but they are still motions towards justice and if earrings are tiny they're still a beginning, as poetry precedes legislation, in a more eloquent phrasing ... never stop writing. Your singular voice is greatly needed. I've read all your books and recommend them to friends. I would like to know what books are on your shelves.
I loved your piece here! I’ve been to that powwow many times in the past and wanted to go this weekend but am dog sitting four shelties who are quite demanding so I had to miss it this time. But one of my sweetest memories of the Daybreak Star Powwow is the Sobriety tipi and the AA meetings we attended in it. Listening to the recovery stories inside it with the drumming out in the ring was some really beautiful medicine.
I love this essay- thanks! Guess I recognize myself as one of the goofy white people who have been to numerous Powwows. I was a guest at a Reservation Powwow ( Crow), when I was visiting my sister and her husband in Montana in late 70’s . Neat experience for a white teenager. Wish I could remember the specifics, but had smoked hash, so all that remain are warm and pleasant vibes from the several day visit.
Not all the white folks at powwows are goofy! Just the goofy ones are goofy!
Crow Fair is amazing!
Thank you for this. A white person who has lived in rural towns in the west, I have been to many. Your piece reminded me of the time in took my dad to one. I had my own powwow blanket with fringes and danced slowly around the powwow circle. I love the rhythm of the songs. No pretending here. Just a lover of beauty and meaning. Next year, I may try to go.
And I am thrilled that you are returning to the world. We have to live, after all.
There are intertribal dances at every powwow. That’s where everybody, Native and non-Native get to dance together.
Yes! It all seems so long ago but yes I forgot intertribal dances! Thank you. I am so glad I found you on the internet. Warms my heart.
Speaking as a goofy white guy (on oh so many levels), I think we long for a sense of belonging. Maybe that’s why some of us pretend to be Indians. 1/128th of something beats being 100% un-wanted wretched refuse. Personally, I build my own tribe. Purebreds and mutts, all are welcome. Be kind, be helpful, be creative. Bonus points for a readiness to laugh.
Oh, ,y gosh! White America includes Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. Springsteen and Dolly Parton. Martin Scorcese and Ida Lupino. And the list of genius white Americans goes on and on and on.
I was once married to a pretendian - though with his pale freckly skin and reddish blond hair, I'm not sure how he thought he might pass. I grew up in a town next to an Ojibwe reservation, my 5th grade teacher was Ojibwe and attempted to teach us some of the language and culture (though none stuck, sad to say). I never went to a powwow, though. If I do, now I know who to dress up as. ;)
Hahahahaha. You’ve inspired me to write a How To Dress as a Pretendian essay.
Love this! Can't wait to read!
Love, love, love this essay. To me, it is about tolerance mixed with the need to belong and joy of belonging. This is the stuff of peace and love. It is the power of laughing instead of fuming. It is the escape hatch on the purity spiral. Thank you.
Thank you!
That last line!
Thanks!
My favorite article of all times. I was born and raised in Tulsa, ok and was only interested in Indian culture, art, etc. I told everyone I was Indian. Still do sometimes even tho I don’t have a drop of Indian blood. My boyfriend in high school was Cherokee. Some Indian people did look like it al all. Most Indians are pretty much screwed here in their country. Am glad you had fun. I have a beautiful squash blossom necklace my parents bought me and I wear it rarely. I hate all Republicans except for a couple and the news is depressing.😷🙈💘
I do my best to avoid the daily news. It’s too reflexive and aimed for impulsive emotional response. I try to read mostly long form journalism—the long pieces that take more time and care.