Authenticity

There is one thing that I always strive for, authenticity. I research, I ask questions, and I do not pass on misinformation. That goes from all types of email that I have termed Scaremail, to processes, rituals, and life in general. From me speaking words people don't want to hear, to teaching those who do.

This past weekend I was able to bring Matt to something that I had not been to in years. The Gathering of Nations. (See part of the Grand Entry in a video I made at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2noc7bIc7UA&feature=share )

 I had the privilege of  living in New Mexico and working with several of the local Native American Nations.They were all wonderful and interesting in their own ways. It is refreshing to see how they may be very alike, but they also each have their own ways, beliefs and attitudes that shape them. They all live right next to each other, and live in relative peace (the Hopi reservation is entirely surrounded by the Navajo reservation). No one tells anyone else they are "doing it right" or they can't do something as it is not their way. The opposite side of that coin however is that there is no game playing. Things are done right and done by tradition for that tribe. They just don't force their tribal ways on a neighboring tribe. The traditionalists and more modern folks do clash, but the traditionalists do not alter their ways to make anyone happy or make things easy.

The people are welcoming, they do read what is in your heart, not your bloodline. Before they knew I had Native blood , they totally embraced my "blue eyed self". Many told me stories, traditions, and ways. I recently learned about the Navajo's long walk (the Cherokee where not the only ones). Some sang songs for me to hear, and they encouraged me to listen to the Navajo language station (Matt and I listened again this trip, I don't know how any outsiders ever learn that language!). They answered all questions honestly and even though they have a wonderful sense of humor and will joke, tease and lead you on, they always tell you the truth in the end. The Navajo are famous for their sense of humor, but when it is time to get serious it is time to be serious.

They are completely and totally against drugs and alcohol. Neither is allowed on the reservations. They have their issues, as all people do, but handle them with a combination of modern and traditional means. They are people who want the best for their children, like we all do. Drugs and alcohol and desecrating some tribes, like the Lakota, and others deal with it better. Some tribes have no issues with substance abuse at all. Just like all the rest of us.
I laugh when I see people who claim to follow NA spirituality promote drugs. It is anathema to the NA community. Anyone who tells you they are NA and the NA culture says drugs are OK, is lying to you or greatly misinformed. There is a small group that still uses peyote in the NA church, but it is still renounced by the People in general the NA councils and governments, and all traditionalists. The use has been banned in most places.

The announcer at the Gathering of Nations told the young male dancers to remember that "  we are Native American Indians, we DANCE grass, we DON'T smoke it".

Not all people are traditionalists, some want the modern world, and the challenge is for the NA people to find a way to carry on their traditions without getting stuck...the need to live in both worlds. Many are finding ways to do so and are justifiably proud of that. There were people honored this past weekend for being soldiers, recording artists, doctors and more in the "white man world". They know to be successful they have to step off of the reservation, yet they also honor that which their ancestors taught them.They do not forget the ways taught to them on the reservation. There is a place where tradition and success in the white man's world can go together. It cannot be easy, but those who learn to do both are very successful.

We saw Chester Nez and other Codetalkers being honored with a Kiowa Gourd Dance. It is the first time I saw a gourd dance performed live (only the Kiowa can do it, or condone it). The Codetalkers were made famous in the movie "Windtalkers", if you have not seen it, please do! They were not even recognized until the 1960's. This weekend they were honored by hundreds , maybe even thousands of people. The gourd dance involved hundreds of people coming to shake his hand.

The Gourd Dance itself is special. There are red and blue sashes that only heroes of some sort may wear. They came from a Warrior society of the Kiowa who used them in preparation for their Sundance. Today only the Kiowa can condone use of the dance, only certain songs can be sung, and only the warriors or invited guests can dance the gourd dance. The drum is in the middle of the dance circle, and rattles are held and used by the dancers. It is a simple dance, more bouncing than dancing, and the energy is powerful. This weekend's gourd dance included Marines in full dress uniform to honor the Codetalkers.

There are so many wonderful brave people in these tribes. There are so many people doing so many wonderful things...and all are doing things in a totally authentic manner. No playing games, no having to settle, no making up stuff to qualify the wrong ways of doing things. Just pure authenticity.

There was a group of indigenous people from New Zealand. When I saw them walking around, with their tattooed faces, I said to Matt "they came all the way from New Zealand!"  I knew immediately who they were. What I didn't know is that they sing Reggae in English and their native tongue while incorporating traditional dance moves into their songs. The old and the new, perfect! The brought down the house the next day. Their name is NRG Rising. Check them out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efUSjVcw9jk

They are Mother and daughters singing together.

 Authenticity exists where there are large NA populations. I remember it in New England and of course in New Mexico. The sharing, caring and knowledge is amazing. The authenticity is amazing.

Before this weekend I told Matt that he has never seen so many NA faces in one place before. While we were driving there, a friend called and was speaking to him about something else. When he heard where Matt was going he said the same thing. I told Matt, you will learn much, just by being there. He did. I learned more too.

The beauty and excitement, the goose bumps, the tears (both genuine and face cream running into my eye), were amazing.  To watch 30 or 40 Fancy dancers spin around and around as the drum beats faster and faster makes you want to laugh, cry , and shout. The calls and cheers from the crowd in all types and manner indigenous to their tribes was thrilling in itself (how some of those noises are made , I will never know). The pure energy and excitement is amazing. The drummers hit those drums so hard and so fast and ramp up the energy, inspiring the dancers to faster spins, higher jumps, and in one dancer's dance, a full split (which made the crowd go wild). Some drums had metal bands around them, to keep them from bursting apart when 12 huge men pound out honor beats like their life depends on it. (Someone once said the NA community is not allowing metal in objects. That is pure fiction, and remember, the ancestors had no metal, and so had no rules against it). Pure love, fun, energy and adrenalin. Pure authenticity.

You know things are changing when one of the new popular shows in Navajo Cops. It is worth watching. You will learn and see how the modern tribe deals with modern problems, the biggest of which is alcohol, and livestock on the highway!
 http://www.reznetnews.org/opinion/blog/2012/navajo-cops-show-featured-national-geographic-television
 
 Authenticity isn't easy for many, but it is so rewarding when it is reached. When you see a white man leading a drum and giving it his heart and soul, while wearing a shirt telling you he is Irish, and doing it at one of the largest gatherings in the world...you know the true NA spirit. It is in your heart not in your blood. This past weekend, many of these people had it in both. They gave it their all. From Maoris to Inuits. From Navajo to Pequot. They were all awesome in their authenticity, energy and love!

Try it, you will love the results!!!



Peshaui Wequashimese.




(C) 2012 Dr R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.