New Age Traditionals

Posted Up: September 8th 2000

I do remember getting a response to this article, and it was from a friend who was actually Cherokee. They were not pleased w/ what I wrote. This article was not intended to spark controversy, or get a rise out of people. It was only meant to inform, and be somewhat humorous in the process. Maybe it came off that way, and maybe not, but here it is for viewing.

New Age Traditionals are all over. I know some guys, and even gals, who try to come across as an obvious native. They wear the features daily. They sport the chokers at every event. They put on the overly dark tan, and sometimes that's fake too. I mean, what is it? Why do you have to put on the 'look' of being native? Why do you want everyone to know what you are, instead of knowing who you are? I have long hair, and I have a dark skin tone, but I don't go to the extent as some do to make sure everyone knows that they are a native. I sport regular clothes, and don't speak in broken english. I don't say 'we' or 'us' when I refer to a group of natives. I don't always say 'bro' when talking with another male native. I don't travel to every pow-wow to impress those who are pow-wow people. I don't need to prove to everyone I am native, because I know I am, and am not going to try and convince everyone else that I am. I like hip hop, and other things, but liking those things won't make any less native. BUT, it also works the other way too. Listening to all the pow-wow tapes, flute tapes, and traditional songs will not make you a native. Watching all the documentaries, movies, and pow-wow videos will not make you more native than you think you are. Reading all the old books, and Sherman Alexie books won't automatically give you acceptance from a native. Having all the old chief's speeches hanging up on your walls, or wherever, won't help in being native. The road goes both ways, and I know where I stand. Do you?

"How did this column come about?" Well, it's just a funny subject, because I know for a fact about some people coming off (to me) as a 'new age traditional.' How they feel natives from the rez are dirty, or beneath them. Yet, to some people, they try and talk like they went through the strife and troubles of 'rez life.' Being privileged enough to not have to live through that is very lucky. I don't know how many people, including myself, would like to 'not know' what a drinking binge was, or how to fend for yourself because the legal guardian was too busy chasing someone all over the rez when they thought that person was cheating on them. I honestly wish I never knew what prejudice was, because it's crazy to think that in this new millennium people still don't know how to get along with another race. Well, I do add on to prejudice by writing this column, but oh wells, that's the way things go sometimes. To know what all these examples are takes their toll on you as you grow and continue to live through them over and over. To look at yourself, and wonder why those surrounding you bring in the most stress and worry doesn't make you dirty, or beneath anyone. To deal with things brought you in worse conditions compared to some builds strength in you. Being a rez kid isn't so bad, but to have a label put on you for being from the rez might be.

"How is it that being 'Cherokee' is wrong?" It isn't. Not if you are actually Cherokee and not just saying it to say you're part native. I mean, I don't know how many times I've heard someone say they're Cherokee because they found out someone they knew was native. It's funny, but in the same breath, it isn't. I've heard people say they smudge everyday, and have a dream catcher hanging from their rearview mirror. Kinda like sharing that will convince me that they understand me better? Well, I don't know if tie-dyed shirts with portraits of famous native warriors are what people considered 'support' of native struggles from the past. I don't know if taking some native artist's painting and putting it on a shirt is exactly helping native art to expand to different levels. It's not really so good to buy a single strand of beads and call it a necklace. Buying a tee-pee and not knowing how to set it up doesn't really call for pity. Ordering a native flute with sheet music isn't really 'sticking to your roots' in some native's eyes. So, to say you're part Cherokee lands in these examples. It's not something that automatically demands acceptance, because of the fact that people do, or say, certain things just to try and gain trust or acceptance from someone, or a group of people. Again, if you are actually Cherokee, it will be confusing as to why natives consider this funny, or even degrading.

New Age Traditionals look to the internet as means of finding out recipes for 'traditional' native foods. New age traditionals look to the internet as means of finding out about their lineage, or family tree info. I understand it may be hard to do all that and try to do it from a city. Cities aren't usually the place to go and find out about natives. In that example, the internet shouldn't be looked to as a way of finding out about traditional native ways either. Those saying they're a shaman or medicine might be just trying to fulfill a dream they may have of being accepted by others. It's fairly easy to fool someone looking for knowledge about native peoples. They read frigging history books to learn things, but when it comes to looking at a 'real' native, they hang on to every word like it's gospel? I've been told that something I was trying to share wasn't right because it's not written down anywhere. What my great grandma passed down to my moms wasn't right? Go to hell, because you don't understand the strong family ties natives have, and how those ties are delicate all the same. Someone from your own family is cherished, and held in high standards, but also can be held in the lowest regards in the same breath. Learn that, and you only have part of the answer. Being 'native' isn't something you portray to others. Being 'native' is just something you are, and shouldn't be something you have to prove at every possible occasion.

Posted on 04 Jun 2006 by Windreamer