INALI DANCERS

events and news of the Inali Dancers, an intertribal native dancing, singing, and culture group in western illinois

Friday, February 23, 2007

I guess we won't be at WIU

In case you haven't heard, the group decided not to perform at the International Bazaar at WIU next weekend. They only gave us 45 minutes, including setup. Plus it was at 6:30, a long way to drive to dance for half an hour then go home. Oh Well.
We do have the men's prison powwow the last Saturday in March, plus don't forget the Mother's Day powwow, plus creve coure the Saturday of memorial day weekend.
Has anyone seen the Mel Gibson movie Apocalypso?
Apparently he really goes back to that old chestnut of natives as total savages.
Yes, the Maya were somewhat warlike, but no more than renaissance Italy. They had a very high civilization, with liturature, art, and science. All Gibson can see is the violent side. After all, they're indians, they have to be savage.
Boycott this movie.

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Sunday, February 18, 2007

put illiniwek behind us

I just got back from Colorado (what a time! read daryl's den over the next few days. I didn't quite get blown into Wyoming) so I just heard about U of I's decision about chief illiniwek. I think most people know my opinion about the whole thing, I won't say anything more. I know not everone agrees with me, but there is no question it has been a devisive factor in local native affairs. Now that it's apparently over, I think it's time to put it behind us. Let's face it, it's just a college sports mascot. Native mounds and burials are getting plowed under all the time with little protection in this state. Why not focus all that illiniwek energy on this?
On a more somber note, I want to dedicate this to the late Sterling Big Bear. A great dancer, a great singer. There's going to be a memorial dance this spring, I have the info if anyone needs it.
Dodayo, Wadomba gay, Wakonda way.

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Friday, February 09, 2007

off to colorado

This is a short post, I'm heading out early tommorrow for colorado for a week.

There won't be practice friday the 16th because many people are going to Pekin for prison training the next day. We have a date for the men's prison, march 31st. Make sure march 3rd is down on your calender, we are going to perform for the International Bazarr at WIU. I'm still working out the details, but it looks like they want us sometime late afternoon.
We're going to be at Creve Coure Memorial day weekend again, but we're only committed for saturday.
By the way, if anyone would like to go into the prison with us, you don't have to be badged, we just need to know about 6 weeks ahead so we can get the paperwork done. It's a unique experience.
I just heard they may pave the road to Chaco Canyon park. I'm not sure I like the idea, but if you,ve never been there (and you probably haven't), It's like nothing you've ever seen. It's even more awesome than Cahokia mounds.
See you all when I get back.

Update: I just read something about a new chairman of the Native American congressional caucus. There's a Native congressional caucus? Who'd a thunk it?

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Saturday, February 03, 2007

just had fun tonight

Not a lot to say about practice tonight. We were all kind of coming down from Hamilton, so we just sort of had fun. We talked a lot, sang some fun songs, and broke up early because it is really, very cold tonight!
I have a few dates, the men's prison powwow is march 31, the women's feb. 18th.
One neat thing, we have been asked (almost begged) to do something for Western Ill. Univ.'s annual International Bazaar. They would like us to sing some songs, do some dances, and show our regalia. There will be students from all over the world there, and I already know they are psyched to see native stuff. Looks like fun. I'll have more info later.
The whole chief illiniwek thing is really getting strange, but I got to say if they don't even know where those eagle feathers are, somethings very wrong. I have more to say on my blog at Daryls Den (see link list).