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RESPECT It is constantly amazing to most Natives how little respect is shown to us by other peoples. At gatherings and Powwows our clothing and braids are tugged, our circle dishonored, and our tipi ropes tugged and ripped. Here are some tips on how you can show honor and respect to us about our ways:
First, don't call us Indians. We are Natives among ourselves and others of us don't mind Native Americans since it signifies the country in which we live. We call Columbus "The Man Who Was Lost" and we don't understand why his geographical mistake should be extended to us. Our scientists were always aware of our position on Earth and we were never lost! Within each Native Nation there existed bands or clans and members of clans/bands considered themselves related.
Don't Say "HOW" . Due to Hollywood's mindset many words were made up in popular movies. These worked their way into popular usage and now are accepted as belonging to us. They don't!
Another one of these is putting you hand over your mouth and making a sound. This came from another tradition that is important to us. When our warriors or others of our bands returned there was a feeling of joy and happiness of those that remained behind. We would make a noise in the back of our throats which to us signified clapping, our joy at their safe return.
Don't touch clothing or any item belonging to a Native without asking permission. Even our babies are taught to respect the belongings of others, so we find it very insulting when our personal space is violated in this way. There is another reason for this: Many of the regalia items worn by Natives are very sacred and should never be touched by others, particularly by non-Natives.
For example, if an Eagle Feather falls to the ground, it must be blessed by our Medicine people before it can be used or worn again. In some Nations, Eagles are considered so sacred that only one person, who would dedicate this life to appeasing the Eagle Spirit and singing the appropriate songs to allow him to take an Eagle occasionally. Each Eagle could be worth up to 200 deer hides, and despite what Hollywood showed, very few Native Nations used full headdresses (though Hollywood killed hundreds of Eagles to provide for their inaccurate portrayal of this.) In most Nation search Eagle feather was carefully earned and treated with great respect. So don't Touch!
Don't sit on the sides of our tepees. It constantly amazes me to see a doting parent watch his child pull on our tepee ropes, try to climb the side of a wigwam, or remove caulking from a long house. I am sure these same parents would be horrified if I came to their house and pulled off clapboards or similar acts. Remember, our housing may look different, but it is our housing and deserves the same respect as your house does, whether or not we are currently using it as a residence or just to show you some of our ways!
At many events, Natives will provide a teaching table for children. This is usually done not-for-profit and very seldom provides a living for the Native. Still the most common comment is "Uuh, you killed these poor animals?" Virtually all the people who say this go to the supermarket each day and buy meat. We believe in using every part of many animal we kill. Nothing is wasted. And many of the animal parts demonstrated came from road kill anyway, since Natives are apt to stop to try to help an injured animal or to recover parts from a recently killed one. It's time for an attitude readjustment in this area.
At a recent POWWOW as we danced we had to carefully watch out for spectators who came into the Circle and sat on the ground within the Circle. It is important to understand that our Circle is very sacred to us. You should never come within it or even sit on the hay bails of the inner Circle (If there are two circles, one around the other, it is okay to sit on the hay bails of the outer circle. But, it might be easier to just remember to bring lawn chairs.) There is a reason for this. The circle is considered sacred to us. When it is set up, it is smudged and purified by our elders. Prayers are sent to the Great Mystery and offerings made in the traditions of the Nation holding the POWWOW. Among ourselves, we smudge before entering the Circle, we pray as we dance, and we are honor-bound to bring no negativity into the Circle. A woman in her Moon Time will not enter our Circle, as her personal power is considered to be too strong for the Circle at this time. Therefore, it is very distressing to see non-smudged people, who may be in their Moon Times in the Circle. Please go around!
Perhaps the most hurtful thing is to constantly hear "I didn't know there were any real Indians left, except on reservations." Or "Are you a real Indian?" We exist. We are real. We shop at your supermarket, send our children to your schools, and pay taxes. Most of our Nations have a only a few full bloods left. For example, the Eastern Bank of Cherokees (over 11,000 strong) has less than 200 full bloods left. So we don't necessarily look they way you may think. We can be from light to dark skinned, with every color of hair under the rainbow. And don't forget that many of us are Native, but not a recognized member of a Nation, either because the government doesn't recognize us as a Nation, or because our grandparents hid away from the government and were never registered. But, our traditions, our beliefs, and our ways live on, and they will continue to do so as long as one Native survives.
Written by Carol Hannah, a Cherokee, on 7-25-96
