Got a request by someone wanting to know about this, if it's traditional or Nuage-run. First is their email, followed by my answer.
Anyone know the ones behind this?
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I've been trying to find information on sundance ceremonies, as I have friends who are involved in them, and one has asked if I would attend. I'm leary about this, as my friend is not from a tribe who practiced Sundancing, nor is he a status native. In fact, none of the people attending with him, are first nations. How does one know if a dance is legitimate or not??
This dance takes place in Glendale Washington every June, - I would be interested to know if this is simply a new-age ceremony for wannabees, or is actually a legitimate dance. It would be interesting to witness an authentic ceremony - but am jaded about those who pretend to be spiritual, when they're actually harmful.
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Hello,
A traditional Sun Dance would not allow the merely curious to attend. Everyone attending would have a role and be making a contribution in labor and/or materials. (Not money, the mere offering of which most would find offensive.)
It's unlikely a traditional SunDance would be held outside of those tribes that have long practiced it. If so, it would have been brought in and allowed by respected elders of one of those tribes. Ask about the lineage of those running this ceremony, who is involved.
If all or most are not Native, it almost certainly is not a traditional ceremony. Traditional ceremonies have neither meaning nor power if practiced outside of their tradtional context.
Take care also that this ceremony may be potentially harmful. Participants in the SunDance could easily be permanently injured or even die if they don't know what they are doing. During suspension, for example, the lungs can collapse and one die of suffocation if they are suspended for too long.
Our advice is to never attend a nontraditional or New Age imitation of ceremony, both for its possible danger, and for its disrespectful and exploitative nature.
I will also post a question about this particular ceremony to see if any of our members in the region know anything.
Al Carroll, moderator
