By Daniela Vasquez and Jenny Sattiewhite Navajo Dancing By Daniela Vasquez and Jenny Sattiewhite

Types of dances Pow-wow( – Groups of women, children and men) Sash Belt Dance – ( Groups of women, and men) Ribbon dance (aka Healing dance) is young from young dancers Fancy feather dance- (women) Rain dance( thank mother Earth for the rain)- groups of women, children and men) Grass dance- (done by males)

What is the Significance Is a form of honoring one’s self and the connection with one’s surrounding. For healing purposes They use dance and songs to carry on the traditional teachings and history of the Navajo people.

Religious Origins Called the gods “Holy People” Believed they needs to praise their holy people or they would use their powers against them Sun god made your crops dry up and Earth mother was kind “Shaman” was religious leaders and the healer of Navajo’s

Traditional outfit called “Regalia” Fur that signifies their tribe Beads and ribbons and feathers Big head dress Materials that hold values to each tribe such as tobacco can lids Face paint Men wear bustle Moccasin Knife cases Shawls

Regalia moccasins

Dance Movements Movements low to the ground as if they are hunters or fighting in a battle Movement of arms to make the look of birds Women traditionally line dance or dance in circles they move their feet up and down close to the floor in tune with the beat of the drums Very energetic jumping and twirling around

Navajo Dance Ceremonies Are held out doors, where they can warship the gods and praise Earth mother Instruments Whistles and flutes- made from sticks, bones, hollow reeds, clay and bamboo Fiddles and clappers Musical bows- curved sticks with hair or sinew Various rattles- made of Hollow gourds, turtle shells, buffalo horns and deer hoofs Rasps- notched sticks that you rub together Skin drums- hand made drums with skin stretched a crossed, skin from the rocky mountain region and the northern region Frame drum- smaller portable drum Log drum- hollow log with the skin stretched Water drum – made of a container of kettle filled with water and skin stretched over it Square drum- is portable and made from a wooden box with the skin stretched a crossed

Instruments

Videos https://youtu.be/MF_BA8e14Bw Traditional Pow-wow https://youtu.be/pflSxTdd_IE Fancy feather dance https://youtu.be/bxJh9k1eVu8 Fancy Shawl Dance

Have the Native Americans be oppressed? From 1864 to 1866 due the escalated conflict with the united States Army during the civil war, many mass removals of various settled Navajo’s in Arizona. Where they were marched at gun point where they were held as prisoners and many died in Redondo New Mexico. Today they are still being oppressed with what is happening at the standing rock where protestors are protecting their pipeline. More than 400 people have been arrested, law enforcement has responded with tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and sound weapons.

Discrimination, stereotype and bigotry Navajo drunk dancing That Navajo people live only to drink and smoke tobacco Navajo people can spell or speak proper English That Navajo people are falling down drunks

What have they contributed to the American culture? Native Americans left a permanent imprint on the English language. The early settlers borrowed words from several different Native American languages to name the new places and new objects that they had found in their new land. All across the country, one can find cities, towns, rivers, and states with Native American names. For example, the states of Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, and Alabama are named after Native American tribes, as are the cities of Chicago, Miami, and Spokane. In addition to place names, English has adopted many everyday words from various Native American languages. The words chipmunk, moose, raccoon, skunk, moccasin, and potato are just a few examples.

Have the Native American people Acculturated? Dance continues to be an important part of Native American culture. The dances are regionally or tribally specific and the singers usually perform in their native languages. Depending upon the dance, sometimes visitors are welcomed; while, at other times, the ceremonies are private.

What has be lost to Navajo people Today, much of that cultural heritage is lost. The US policy of "Indian Removal" fragmented whole tribes and nations, placing them in land with little agricultural value which they were not accustomed to. Native children were forced out of their homes and placed into boarding schools created specifically for them. In these schools, children were forced to speak English and were punished for practicing their traditional spiritual beliefs. This effectively destroyed most of the oral history surrounding Native Americans, eliminating any chance at a substantive record being kept of their past. Most Native Americans live on reservations now, however they are naturalized citizens and are provided with the same constitutional rights as any other citizen

What have we learn to appreciate from them? That many of them stay true to their traditional values and beliefs. Their ability to live off the land, and harvest their own food and produce. That they see each other as the same no one is born the learder, they had to work to the position of leadership.

Works Cited Brinlee, Morgan. "What Is Happening At Standing Rock? The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests Continue Despite New Winter Challenges." Bustle. N.p., 24 Nov. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. Home Page." PBS LearningMedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.r "Lengendsofamerica.com." Lengendsofamerica.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. "Navajo Religion." Navajo Religion. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016 Original Design: Andreas Viklund - Http://andreasviklund.com/. "Navajo History." Navajo History. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. "Types of Native American Instruments." Udemy Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.