The Ute community of White Mesa, comprised of approximately 315 people, sits in the corner of southeastern Utah, eleven miles outside of Blanding. The residents, primarily of Weenuche Ute and Paiute ancestry, enjoy a cultural heritage that embraces elements from plains, mountain, and desert/Great Basin Indian culture. Among their religious…

What does it mean to be young in El Alto, a Bolivian shantytown? Based on ethnographic research, this article looks at cultural resilience among young people in a vulnerable urban context. It emphasises how young people value informal youth groups as a tool to valorise their own indigenous culture. This is echoed in the world of adults, implying…

In collaboration with the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nations' U'mista Cultural Centre and the Nez Perce Tribe's Cultural Resources Program, this study addresses aspects of the recent history and contemporary roles of dance in their societies from the dancers' perspectives. The social science literature commonly documents the cultural history of dances…

The Yakima Indians celebrate Christmas by dancing and feasting. (FF)

Throughout America all tribes have united to restore the "Indianism" that was lost at the time of the captivity. "Pow-wow" is the Indian effort to enforce this unity. Pow-wow can be held at any time of the year, although holidays are a good time to have dances. This essay provides much detail on the costumes and customs of the…

Discusses history of various Central American musical instruments, how the instruments were used then, and how they are used now. Much Indian music today serves to bolster Indian rights, express community pride, and serves as a badge of otherness. (AN)

Produced by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, this teaching resource provides information on powwows and related Native American culture and traditions. A powwow is a gathering where Native American dancing, singing, and celebration take place. Gatherings may include dancing and singing contests, "give-aways," encampments,…

Describes multitribal American Indian pow wows, their proliferation over the past 20 years, and typical dances featured. Examines the evolution of one pow wow that takes place during a three-day Appalachian festival in Tennessee. Discusses the role of Appalachian pow wows in bringing together scattered Native communities and educating whites about…

American Indian music is the topic of this curriculum unit from the Task Force on Minority Cultures. After a brief introduction explaining the importance of music to the Indian people, there are sections on: 1) the instruments, which provides a description of each instrument, including the type of materials used in its construction, how the…

Intended for teenage readers, this book profiles 13-year old Shannon Anderson. Shannon lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her grandmother, her two sisters, and two cousins. Shannon, who is an Ojibway Indian, practices the fancy shawl dance. This traditional dance requires the dancer to use fancy footwork and twirl a shawl. Shannon's younger…

This children's book describes how a Mexican-American family celebrates the traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos). The book centers on 10-year-old twins, Ximena and Azucena, who live in Sacramento, California, with their two brothers, older sister, and parents. The Day of the Dead takes place on the first and second day of…

This illustrated children's book describes the American Indian powwow, an important element of contemporary Native American life in the United States and Canada. The main character of the book, Tess, is a Native American. She explains to her classmates at school about the origin and meaning of the powwow and also about the wars between the Indians…

Although altered by government and religious sanctions since the establishment of reservations in 1878, the Omaha dance still serves as an obtrusive demonstration of tribal identity and cohesion for the Oglala and Sicangu Sioux. The dance achieved a high level of prominence as a successful celebration for petitioning supernatural protection in…

During the 1920s, Walker Calhoun learned traditional songs and dances from his uncle, Will West Long, spiritual leader of the Big Cove Cherokees. Nine years ago, Calhoun began teaching them to his grandchildren and other young people. Calhoun has received numerous honors for his work to preserve Cherokee culture. (LP)