Photo: Native American child dressed in traditional tribal attire
November is Native American Heritage Month.
This month's Periscope takes a look at the national and local importance of Native American heritage. We celebrate the first South Carolinians and the first Americans. The observation began as "American Indian Day" in 1915. Prior to that, Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback across the United States seeking support for the event. His 4,000 mile trip covered 24 states. Native American Heritage Month is now an official observation.
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Fancy Dances are more lively, colorful, and exaggerated. These dances began in the 20th century as different tribes around the country started meeting through powwows. The dancers shared moves and...
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Only a few Cherokee escaped the Indian Removal Act. Those who remained found safe hiding places in the remote mountains and valleys of Appalachia. Today, the Snowbird community is home to many...
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The Jingle Dress Dance is a dance for girls and women. The regalia for the Jingle Dress dance features a skirt adorned with small bells. The bells jingle loudly to the beat of the dances. This dance...
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The Snowbird Cherokee community looks like a typical American community in many ways. There are schools, churches, cars and roads. The Snowbird Cherokee play on local football teams and Snowbird youth...
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The Grass Dance originated with northern tribes, and was eventually passed down to southern tribes. It gets its name from the tradition of tying sweetgrass to the belts of the dancers. Today, the...
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Over 500 Cherokee now live on tribal lands that make up the Snowbird Community. Tribal lands, or reservations, are protected for use by Native Americans. The Snowbird Cherokee have kept much of their...
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Arts, Crafts and Food! Have you ever tasted fry bread or made a dreamcatcher? Powwows are great places to experience Native American crafts, clothing and food. Fry bread can be found at most powwows...
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In Snowbird, some children learn the Cherokee language before they learn English. There are festivals to celebrate Cherokee ancestors and elders and the changing of seasons. Traditional arts, dance...
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We saw many Native American crafts at the powwow. Jewelry, clothing, and crafts such as "dreamcatchers" were popular items. The origin of the dreamcatcher is hard to determine. Different tribes...
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Tradition: Gadugi (ga-doo-gee) The word gadugi means "working together." Originally, the gadugi were a group of people in a Cherokee community who helped others in a time of need. The gadugi planted...
