Thursday, February 12, 2015

Gatherings of our Bird Dance would never be by Invitation





In our Native American distant past... Gatherings of our Bird Dance would never be by Invitation...you just were expected to Arrive... Show up to Sing, Dance and share with one another. But there were influences both good and bad that changed the direction of our traditions... but even then our Bird Dance has managed to continue through these changes.
Now once again, Traditional Bird Dance has another influence that threatens it's existence... it's called, Public Performances.
It's places where our time is limited to share or just participate in the Bird Dance. Only Few get invited to perform limiting even more people and it is becoming the way of Life for those who Live for the performance arena... It's possibly the only way they know the way birds has been shared, I myself have this view.
BUT...learning to evolve with everything intact so we can continue to learn and go on to pass down that knowledge has to be the new way to be.
We Cannot let our ancient teachings disappear for our people because of lack of traditional gatherings to learn at where learning can be unlimited by the public Arena.

 But it does not have to be that way...
There can be traditional Bird Dance... where everyone is invited to come and join in. There can be an "All Nighter" again where all the songs can be sung.

 There can be a place where all the men and women can dance the way they want. There can be most importantly a place where young people can learn this old way... It's possible, if "WE" all want it bad enough...

Because together we can make anything happen.
Thanks Lala Andreas for visiting with pictures and sharing your Dad's (Anthony "Biff" Andreas Jr.) stories he wanted us all to know... and Traditional Bird Dance history!

 We Are Birds