Members of the RRRG are available to visit your Meeting for a facilitated conversation about reparative actions. For more information visit Our Journey Towards Right Relations or email us at [email protected]
LEARN: What’s happening in Indian Country? Follow ICT News
LEARN: Resources from Friends Peace Teams
ACTiON: Support the Establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
ACTION: Selling your home? Consider the Native Land Reparations Pledge
Spring is here and it's Pow Wow season across the continent.
The Right Relationship Resource Group encourages Friends to attend local Pow Wows to get to know local Indigenous communities. One of the most important aspects of our work, and the principal starting place, is to build those relationships. Pow Wows are social spaces, and non-Indigenous audience members are welcome.
To show up at public events like Pow Wows (which are public) and be a respectful participant is a wonderful step on this journey. (Keep in mind that it is not appropriate to bring up the Yearly Meeting Letter of Apology while at a Pow Wow.)
Respectful attendance at Pow Wows includes some basic expectations of conduct; for example, please leave front-row seats for the use of elders and those with small children. It is never appropriate to touch people, their regalia, or their medicine bags. If a feather or item from their regalia falls off while dancing, do not pick it up but notify the individual or Pow Wow staff so it can be properly returned. Many items on regalia hold sacred meaning and should not be handled by people unfamiliar with their importance. In general, follow the lead of Native folks in interactions.
You are encouraged to cheer, celebrate the performers, ask questions respectfully, and support the vendors. (Keep in mind that not all vendors may be accepting digital payments, so please bring cash for purchasing food or art pieces.) If the emcee encourages the audience to join in the social dance, absolutely join in the dance!
For Friends who are not Indigenous, please read and follow these additional guidelines by Indian Country Today.
More about Pow Wows here: https://destinationindigenous.ca/blog/pow-wow-101/