The Animal Spirit Dance: American Indian Ceremonial Revival and “New Traditions”
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THE ANIMAL SPIRIT DANCE: AMERICAN INDIAN CEREMONIAL REVIVAL AND “NEW TRADITIONS” by Kathleen L. Dorn A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Anthropology Committee: ______________________________________________ Director ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Department Chairperson ______________________________________________ Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Date: ________________________________________ Spring Semester 2011 George Mason University Fairfax, VA The Animal Spirit Dance: American Indian Ceremonial Revival and “New Traditions” A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at George Mason University By Kathleen L. Dorn Director: Linda J Seligman, Professor Department of Anthropology Spring Semester 2011 George Mason University Fairfax, Va. Copyright 2011 Kathleen L. Dorn All Rights Reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study has been undertaken with the cooperation of Indians from various tribes, many of whom are respected elders, and carrying ceremonial alters unrelated to the Animal Spirit Dance. Many of those who have suggested and participated in this study, have expressed the hope that the discussions of protocol, identity and related concerns will educate cultural latecomers and non-Indian in a manner that allows them to access Indian culture in a careful and respectful manner that generates less concern among members of the native community. I wish to acknowledge and express thanks to the following people and groups. To Shooty and Larry, I owe much of my success both with this study and my ongoing journey into my own reclamation of cultural knowledge to the cultural doors you opened for this study, as well as your patience, prodding and correction. To the leaders and members of the American Indian Movement, several of whom contributed critical insight to this study. You have always taken the lead to reference Indian issues that others were unwilling to take on. You have always been there to help the people. I would like to express gratitude for the sacrifices you have made to ensure the survival of the seventh generation. If it were not for your leadership and courage, the phrase “We Are Still Here” would be forgotten. To D.C. area based local members of the Native American Church who performed ceremony during for my illness:. Many of you have also provided critical insight to this study, and your lodge prayers for healing and enhancement of knowledge and insight were answered. To the past and current president of the American Indian Society: Without your patience, correction, and council, during my cultural journey, none of these issues would have been understood. And last, but certainly not least, to the Anthropology and I.C.A.R. professors at G.M.U who pointed me to the research and knowledge critical for understanding my research. I would especially like to thank Professor Eric Anderson for his careful editing and suggestions, and Professor Susan Trencher and Professor Linda J. Seligmann for their critiques and suggestions that helped me to provide a complete view of the subject. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. vii Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... viii 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Research Problem ............................................................................................ 1 Ceremonial Controversies ............................................................................................................ 3 Literature Review ......................................................................................................................... 6 The Attraction to Indian Culture .............................................................................................. 6 History and the Collective Consciousness – Merging Past and Present .................................. 8 Ceremony and Holistic Healing ................................................................................................ 9 Ceremony and Tribal Politics ................................................................................................. 12 Ceremonial Corruption .......................................................................................................... 13 Revival of Native Identity and Culture ................................................................................... 15 Revival of Ritual and Ceremony ............................................................................................. 17 Native Reactions .................................................................................................................... 18 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 21 Research Population .............................................................................................................. 21 Data Collection and Protection .............................................................................................. 24 Ceremonial Detail .................................................................................................................. 26 Participant Observation and Reciprocity ............................................................................... 27 Analytical Approach ............................................................................................................... 28 2. Indian Identity – Motives and Perceptions of New Ritual ........................................................ 30 Historical Background – Cultural and Identity Genocide ........................................................... 30 Contemporary Identity Pressures .............................................................................................. 34 iv Indian Culture ‐ “Sharing Versus Wearing” ............................................................................ 35 Pressures on the Core Value of Sharing ................................................................................. 36 The Political Climate – What It Means To Be Indian .................................................................. 38 Definition of Indianness by Non‐Indians ................................................................................ 38 Definition of Indianness by Unenrolled Mixed‐bloods .......................................................... 48 Definition of Indianness by Enrolled Culturally Acclimated Indians ...................................... 57 Racialization of Indianness ..................................................................................................... 62 3. The Animal Spirit Dance – Practice and Purpose ...................................................................... 66 Definitions ‐ Symbology and Ritual ............................................................................................ 66 Function and Structure .............................................................................................................. 68 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 69 Communal Meals ....................................................................................................................... 71 Sunrise Ceremony ...................................................................................................................... 72 Mixing and Mingling .................................................................................................................. 74 Water Ceremony – Gathering of Nations and Community ....................................................... 74 Sweat Lodge – Cleansing and Preparation ................................................................................. 76 The Animal Spirit Dance ............................................................................................................. 78 4. Perceptions of the Dance and the Participants ........................................................................ 82 Perceptions of Purpose .............................................................................................................. 82 Animal Symbology ..................................................................................................................... 83 Perceptions of Function and Outcome ...................................................................................... 87 Community and Cultural Continuity ...................................................................................... 87 5. Authentication and Acceptance of New Ceremony .................................................................. 91 Prophecy, Hermeneutics and Oral Traditions ........................................................................ 91 The Process of Validation ....................................................................................................... 95 From Vision