Week 2 Post: Powwows, insider/outsider,

First of all, I want to say that I really enjoyed class this week. I really enjoy Native American music, although I am not specifically American Indian. I was introduced to it a little when I was younger, because I had some friends who were Chumash, but it wasn't really until I got to UCLA and went to my first Powwow my first or second year. From then I've been going every year. I also attend because I know a lot of the students who organize it and I want to show them my support. Since then I've also looked out for other Powwows and last summer I went to the one in my home town, Santa Barbara. That was a really fun experience because I took my younger sister to introduce her to other cultures and celebrations, we both had a really good time. I also really like Powwows because it's interesting that although I know that I am an outsider, I still feel really welcome and really comfortable there. I love watching the music and dancing. I love the food, and just the experience. I think what really helps me relate at the pow wows that I've been to is that they also have Aztec Dancers invited to dance, and these are my own indigenous people who are a part of it also, this helps me feel like I am also a part of the circle.
I identify as Chicana, which to me is not solely Mexican American, to me it means having a socio-historical and political consciousness. And thus, I understand that I do have an indigenous Identity. Relating to my indigenous idendity is something difficult for me to fully embrace partially because it is something that has been taken away from me from the days of the colonization of the Americas. Powwows and other indigenous celebrations for me are really empowering places, because it allows me to regain traditions that have been lost.

oh, I also wanted to talk about this group that I saw about a month ago, I thought they were so cool! I kind of wanted to present on this to the class but I was really scared. The name of the group is Culture Shock Camp, and they are a Native Hip Hop Group. When I saw them perform I had no idea what it was going to be, but they started with a guy wearing a mask and dancing to Native music. Then they started performing and they were so great. I had never heard hip hop from an American Indian before so I was really excited. I really like the way they bring together a lot of the elements that Chris talked about in his presentation, about them being young people incorporating their history with what is happening now.

I'm not sure how to include a video or anything, but I'll post this to see if it works:

Question 2: Although we focus in on the musical sound itself in this class, music is really just part of a whole meaningful event. In what way can you think of is music just part of a whole event you've attended, and what does music reflect about this event (think of a club scene versus a religious setting).

The second question got me thinking a lot about what events in my own life don't involve music, but so many of the things that I do, do.