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Post by xanhiker on Sept 15, 2014 17:18:39 GMT -6
I'm trying to determine the most culturally accurate appreciation gift and am pretty much at a loss. So, background... My familial heritage is (it appears) mostly Shawnee/Delaware, but I live in TN. Recently, we held a scout ceremony and I decided to go back to the "old school" scout practice of using a native american theme. As a historian I'm constantly reminded how poor of a job schools do in teaching history to kids since they usually know so little it's embarrassing and infuriating. So I used this opportunity, and any others that come, to show accurate depictions of culture, significance and relevance that turns in to wonder for these kids who've only ever seen "Indians" in the two pages their school book dedicates to the subject or Johnny Depp is some asinine costume.
So, several months ago, two local pow wow dancers I know assisted in a huge ceremony which was to celebrate the first arrow of light award for our unit. So, since it's really a rite of passage to join a troop and enter manhood, that's how we did it. They boys got to see accurate, traditional dance, singing and respect for the entirety that awed them. It was far better and more momentous than I'd have been able to do myself. So I'd like to make them something that fits with the accuracy and cultural significance they shared with our scouts. So far, the only ideas I've found were gourds filled with tobacco.
What would be the proper item to give? Something, preferably, that would match my level of appreciation without the "missing the point" aspect of a gift card etc. The boys want to help and, again, it's the perfect teaching moment for them to get more understanding. Ideas, suggestions?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 10:14:44 GMT -6
It is always good to give tobacco, sage, sweet grass, etc. Sometimes it is good to give something of oneself, you could always make a bundle of things from the boys...such as things that are personal or things they have found in nature.
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Post by xanhiker on Sept 18, 2014 12:41:45 GMT -6
That's pretty much what I'd been leaning toward since it's always seemed to be the go to option. I'd had a suggestion (from another local Cherokee dancer) of having the boys make a gourd container and place the tobacco inside that sounded nice. But I can't find any reliable references to design/practice/size etc. As I said, being trained as a historian I try to go "almost" over the edge on historical accuracy so the boys get more than the Saturday morning cartoon type of explanation on culture. I'd also thought about making her a new hand drum, but again, I couldn't find specifics on the appropriateness of it as a gift from a non family member etc. -This only comes to mind since the boys got a very good explanation of regalia tradition when she dropped a piece and one of them picked it up for her and she explained the taboo on touching others' regalia. Great teaching moment for them and she made it great.
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Post by Lone4eagle on Oct 6, 2014 17:33:57 GMT -6
It is always good to give tobacco, sage, sweet grass, etc. Sometimes it is good to give something of oneself, you could always make a bundle of things from the boys...such as things that are personal or things they have found in nature. Excellent!
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