We Are Dancing for You

1. Native Feminisms are Ancient, Not Modern Inventions

“Women occupied key and powerful roles as healers, leaders, and regalia holders.”

Beyond Western Frameworks. Native feminisms are not a recent import from Western culture but are deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions, stories, and societal structures. These feminisms emphasize gender equality, respect for women's roles, and the importance of balance in all aspects of life. They are not simply about women's rights but about the well-being and strength of the entire community.

Oral narratives as evidence. Creation stories and oral traditions often feature powerful female figures, demonstrating that women were not seen as secondary or inferior. These stories highlight women's roles as healers, leaders, and spiritual guides, showcasing a long history of female agency and influence. For example, the Hupa story of Chickenhawk, a K’ixinay woman who creates the medicine for war, demonstrates the power and leadership of women in Hupa culture.

Societal structures reflect equality. Many Indigenous societies, including the Hupa, had social structures that reflected gender balance. Women held leadership positions, owned property, and had autonomy in their personal lives. These practices demonstrate that gender equality was not just a philosophical ideal but a lived reality in many Indigenous communities.

2. Genocide Targeted Women and Their Ceremonies

“When the militia and soldiers came to this area, and the miners came, they came without women and they started kidnapping Indian women and stealing them, raping them, taking them away from their families.”

Systematic violence. The genocide of California Indians was not a random act of violence but a systematic effort to destroy Indigenous societies, and women were specifically targeted. This violence included rape, kidnapping, and murder, all aimed at undermining the power and status of Native women. The targeting of women was a deliberate strategy to dismantle Indigenous cultures and societies.

Ceremonies as targets. Women's coming-of-age ceremonies, which celebrated menstruation and female power, became targets of suppression. Settlers and missionaries viewed these ceremonies as a threat to their patriarchal values and actively worked to eradicate them. The suppression of these ceremonies was not a benign act but a deliberate attempt to erase Native feminisms.

Long-lasting effects. The violence and suppression of women's ceremonies had a lasting impact on Native communities, leading to a shift in cultural perceptions of women's importance. This historical trauma continues to affect Native people today, highlighting the need for healing and cultural revitalization.

3. Anthropology's Flawed Lens Distorted Indigenous Truths

“But you have to extract from them and disregard the biases of the anthropologists and their interpretations. That’s a process as well.”

Western bias. Early anthropological studies of Native cultures were often influenced by Western biases and assumptions, leading to misinterpretations of Indigenous practices. Anthropologists often viewed Native societies through a lens of "primitiveness," failing to recognize the complexity and sophistication of Indigenous cultures. This bias led to the erasure of Native feminisms and the misrepresentation of women's roles.

Salvage ethnography. The practice of salvage ethnography, which aimed to document Native cultures before they "disappeared," often portrayed Indigenous societies as static and unchanging. This approach ignored the dynamic nature of culture and the ways in which Native people adapted and resisted colonization. It also failed to recognize the agency of Native people in shaping their own histories.

Ethnographic refusal. Native people often negotiated ethnographic encounters by choosing what information to share and what to withhold. This "ethnographic refusal" was a way of protecting their cultures and resisting the imposition of Western interpretations. The inclusion of women's coming-of-age ceremonies in the ethnographic record, despite the biases of the anthropologists, can be seen as a form of resistance and a way of preserving knowledge for future generations.

4. Menstruation is Power, Not Taboo

“You’re not sick. You’re a woman; you’re a woman now. You should be glad. Now good things are going to happen to you; you’re a woman.”

Challenging Western narratives. Indigenous cultures often view menstruation not as a taboo or a source of shame but as a powerful and sacred time for women. This perspective challenges the Western narrative that menstruation is dirty, polluting, or a sign of weakness. Instead, menstruation is seen as a source of strength, creativity, and spiritual connection.

Menstrual practices as empowerment. Many Indigenous menstrual customs are designed to protect and empower women, not to isolate or control them. These practices often involve ritual bathing, meditation, and community support, all of which are meant to enhance women's spiritual and physical well-being. The Hupa term "tim-na'me," meaning "at the lucky spot she bathes," highlights the positive and powerful aspects of menstruation.

Reclaiming Indigenous knowledge. By reclaiming Indigenous menstrual beliefs, Native people are challenging the politics of taboo and asserting their own cultural values. This reclamation is an important part of decolonizing the body and reclaiming Indigenous identities. It is a way of honoring the power and wisdom of Indigenous women.

5. Ceremony is a Decolonizing Praxis

“This dance, it’s going to give you strength. It’s going to give you so much power that you’ve never had. It’s going to just take off.”

Embodied decolonization. Ceremony is not just a performance of tradition but a tangible act of decolonization. It is a way of reclaiming Indigenous knowledge, values, and practices that have been suppressed by colonization. Through ceremony, Native people are able to heal from historical trauma, strengthen their identities, and build a more just and equitable future.

Reclaiming Native feminisms. Women's coming-of-age ceremonies are a powerful way of reclaiming Native feminisms and challenging patriarchal structures. These ceremonies celebrate the power and importance of women in Indigenous societies and provide a space for young women to connect with their cultural heritage. They are a direct challenge to the heteropatriarchal norms imposed by settler colonialism.

Building Indigenous futures. Ceremony is not just about the past but also about the future. It is a way of passing on knowledge, values, and traditions to the next generation. By revitalizing their ceremonies, Native people are ensuring the survival of their cultures and building a foundation for a decolonized future.

6. Community is Essential to Healing and Empowerment

“In this dance people are here for you. They are all here for you.”

Collective support. Indigenous ceremonies are not individualistic practices but communal events that involve the entire community. The support and participation of family, friends, and elders are essential to the healing and empowerment of the individual. This collective approach to healing is a powerful way of addressing the trauma of colonization.

Intergenerational connections. Ceremonies provide opportunities for intergenerational connections, allowing elders to pass on their knowledge and wisdom to younger generations. This intergenerational exchange is crucial for maintaining cultural continuity and strengthening community bonds. It also allows for the transmission of values and traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Shared responsibility. The community's involvement in ceremonies highlights the shared responsibility for the well-being of all members. This sense of collective responsibility is a powerful antidote to the individualism and isolation that are often promoted by Western culture. It is a reminder that we are all interconnected and that we all have a role to play in the healing and empowerment of our communities.

7. Revitalization is a Journey, Not a Destination

“We are dancing for you.”

Dynamic traditions. Cultural revitalization is not about recreating a static past but about adapting traditions to the present. Indigenous cultures are not frozen in time but are constantly evolving and adapting to new circumstances. This dynamic approach to tradition allows for creativity, innovation, and the incorporation of new knowledge.

Ongoing process. Revitalization is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of learning, healing, and growth. It requires a commitment to continuous engagement with Indigenous knowledge, values, and practices. It is a journey that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to adapt and change.

Building a better future. The ultimate goal of cultural revitalization is not just to preserve the past but to build a better future for Indigenous people. By reclaiming their cultures and traditions, Native people are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for themselves and for future generations. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples.

Last updated: January 19, 2025