Reno Sparks Indian Community

SUMMARY OF NATIVE DANCES (Cont'd) SUMMARY OF NATIVE DANCES (Cont'd) SNEAK UP DANCE: An ancient storytelling dance, the Sneak-up TRADITIONAL DANCE: For the dance, had several different origins. In one version, a returning warrior acts spectators will stand and remove hats because out a battle in which the enemy spots him several times, so he has to of the abundance of eagle feathers in the out- start the attack again. At the end, he does a victory dance. A second fits. For the men, lavish bustles of long version involves a hunter trying to sneak, up on a deer. His pray sees feather usually from an eagle or another rap- tor---burst from the dancer's waist. This is a him. He has to try again. In a thrid version, the victorious warrior acts out looking for a friend wounded in battle, finally finds him and time for the men to dance in the way of their brings him to safety. father's and grandfathers, and some of these outfits or pieces are passed down through FANCY SHAWL DANCE: The Fancy Shawl the generations as well. For the women, this Dance is universal. The women and young stately dance involves a slow-moving or no- ladies dance with shawls draped over their moving bounding step, rhythimcally dipping shoulders and use these shawls in the move- and swaying to the beat of the drum. Dresses ment of dance. One origin story is that when of buckskin, wood, or other material are a male butterfly was killed in battle, the heavily decorated with beading, quillwork, female would mourn and go into a cocoon, her elk teeth, bone or antler or shells. shawl. She travels all over the world in sadness, stepping on every rock until she finds SPECIAL FATHER'S DAY HONOR DANCE: We would like beauty in a single rock and is then able to see her new life, without her mate. With this in to invite all fathers (this includes grandfathers, great-grand- mind, it is easy to see that the judging of fathers, and uncles) to join us in a special honor round dance. We women's fancy is based on fluidity of move- hold up these honorable men who, throughout their lifetime, have ments as well as fancy footwork. The drum- guided, nutured and loved their children and mothers of their beat sets the rythm. Creativity and smooth- children. They have truly taken on the responsibility of caring for ness are keys to an outstanding performance. their families, as intended by our Creator. The Round Dance AKA Friendship Dance is an old dance with obscure origins. The drum- ming is different from the pow-wow songs. This dance is native to the Great Basin. It is used in such ceremonies as the pinenut bless- ing and healing dance.