frenchindian said on Sunday, Feb 28 at 6:10 PM

I felt nothing but pride, when I saw the first nations of Cananda, participate in the opening ceremonies of the "2010 Olympics". I was reminded of Jim Thorpe (Sac/Fox) and Louis Tewanima (Hopi) the two Native Americans who participated in the 1912 Olympics for the U.S.A. And After all was said and done, Thorpe and Tewanima are deserving of their Olympic Medals.

REZNativeAZ said on Saturday, Feb 27 at 11:56 PM

Northern Plains Sioux...I agree with your comments about Navajos not practicing their own culture. I am from AZ born and raised (Apache). For a short time I lived on the Northern Cheyenne rez (three years). I got to meet a lot of Cheyenne and Sioux tribal members. Good People and very dedicated to their culture and beliefs. I was a visitor there and acted as such. I would never cross the line of portraying their tribe. I know that many Navajos continue to hit the Pow Wow circuit, men and women, and participate in your culture. I agree with you totally, that they should keep to their own traditions! Are they (Navajos) not proud of their own culture, beliefs, traditional songs and dances?? If we want to be true Tribal Members what ever that may be, then we should should remember where we come from. Their Grandmas and Grandpas are probably rolling around in their graves in disgust! BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE!!

Iamadancer2 said on Friday, Feb 26 at 6:22 PM

To dance at such an event such as the 2010 Olympics was an opportunity of a life time. Never in Olympic history has Aboriginal people been able to participate as partners let alone have input into such an event. The Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh tribes that make up the Four Host First Nations along with the First Nation Summit of British Columbia who represent tribes currently negotiating treaties did an awesome job in showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of Aboriginal cultures in British Columbia. During the Olympics the FHFN Aboriginal Pavilion venue also is an opportunity for Aboriginal people in British Columbia to tell our stories to the world. This is an opportunity to build on our successes and to find positive reinforcement for our youth and children. Taxta!!!

Northern Plains Sioux said on Friday, Feb 26 at 3:13 PM

navajo and az tribe's dress northern plains style, why? the regalia has significance and when folks where my ancestors regalia, it is saddening. you would never catch this northern plains skin wearing other tribe's regalia. i feel bad for them not understanding or recognizing how they should be taking pride in their own Navajo Ways instead of adopting or stepping out of their own Navajo way. my Sioux daughter a Northern Buckskin Traditional Dancer was approached by a Navajo woman talking about the Sioux way. you also have Navajo drum groups singing Northern Plains songs.. powwow is my People's way--not the Navajo Way.

Mike Raccoon Eyes Kinney said on Thursday, Feb 25 at 11:08 PM

We stand before the banner of our People, so that our People may live!!! In the Spirit of more Civil and Human Rights for Indian Country! Mike Raccoon Eyes Kinney

Zhimaagan Ikwe said on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 3:53 PM

edit: now, should be no... at the end, of her, is twice, should only be proud of her.

Kanata NDN said on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 3:44 PM

I find it hypocritical that countries such as Canada and the US only highlight Indigenous peoples and cultures when they are on a world stage. We are window dressing! For the remainder of time we are forgotten, ignored and pushed to the margins of society. Our social living condition s can attest to this. For example, in Edmonton, AB we are asked to participate partnering to bring Expo 2017 to our city. This again means we are required to dress up and sing our little NDN hearts out for the world, “showcasing our cultures” for the benefit of our colonizers. We are more than drumming and singing! We are more than feathers and beads. We are more than bows and arrows. Our cultures are vibrant, complex, living and evolving. Let’s show the world that we are more than the stereotypical romanticized savages that world wants to see. We can do this, but first we must show ourselves that we are more than what they have come to expect of us. The onus is on us. Do we allow them to expe

Tribalskinz said on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 3:07 PM

POW WOWS are for getting together as native people and celebrate what our ancestors did, whether it was to go to war, or go hunting etc.. We need to keep our traditions as native people what ever it may be, or we will find ourself without our culture to remind us of what our peoples went throught, so we can be here today. It may have started in the plains, it may have started in the mountains, but where ever it started it allowed all native people to come together from all across our land and dance so we can feel the spirit of our ancestors. When you go to pow wows you can't tell just by looking at the people where they come from just that they are native and a proud people. My people did not start pow wows but when I here the drums, my whole body gets a sense of pride, my heart starts to beat to the rythm of the drum. If you are a proud Native you to will feel it, so if you havent been to a pow wow or havent been to one in a while, GO so you can feel the power of the POW WOW drums :)

Ryazzie said on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 1:08 AM

too pow woweee, well how about those pow wows in AZ and NM, pow wow was not their way yet they sure did go for it, and last time I went to a pow wow in NM they all looked as if they stepped out of the Plains and they were all navajo and pueblo..pow wow was not a navajo or az thing. so save your judging.

BJ Robertson said on Tuesday, Feb 23 at 5:23 PM

Oh....I would have loved to see this, in real life.