Re: Ultimate PC
Marc Solomon (msolomon@TEK1.TEKNIQ.COM)
Tue, 30 Jan 1996 16:52:35 -0600
I haev just a short comment on Scouting and Native Americans. When I was a
Scout, my troop had an Indian Lore group (this was, obviously before we took
to using the more correct term , Native American). A Native American saw us
perform at a Scout show and asked our group to dance at their Pow-Wow. For
the next five to six years, we were invited to dance at their Pow-Wow at the
Shinnecock (sp?) Indian Reservation on Long Island held on Labor Day
weekend. We received many compliments from the other participants on our
costuming and dance performance. We were always a big hit there and they
always made us fell welcome.
The advisor for our group went to great lengths to assure our routines and
costuming were authentic (for the most part. I know my costume had parts
from more than one tribe or nation) and that our dances were as close as we
could get from our studies (Of course they did get better after attending a
few Pow Wows).
I tell this story because it shows that if one takes the time to do those
you mimic with honor, it is not an insult to them. It was all done to honor
the Native Americans and not to mock them. This was obvious when you saw
our performance and obvious enough to one of their own to impress him to
invite us to participate with them.
I presume the adult who was insulted did not see the honor being made.
Either that was not clear from the beginning or (just possibly) the person
missed it. In either case, it should be made clear to him (and others who
might have made the same conclusion) what the intent of the ceremony was.
It would be better to clear the air on this issue than let the misconception
fester.
YiS,
Marc W. Solomon Unit Commissioner
msolomon@tek1.tekniq.com Sycamore District
marcsol@aol.com Blackhawk Council, IL
I use to be a wise old owl . . . Now I am just old
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
