PLEASE don't be offended by this question, I really am curious...?

Question

First of all, this is not meant to be racist in ANY way, I SWEAR !!! I'm about half Native American, part Scottish & part French, so if I was racist, I'd have to hate myself !

It seems to me that Native Americans and African Americans are similar, in that a big part of their native cultures and beliefs involve music & dancing. Cermonies, holidays, etc.

So my question is, just about anyone can name a famous African American singer, dancer, or actor, but there are relatively few Native American singers or dancers that are well known outside of their communities. I'm curious, why ?

Is it because Native Americans condsider these things sacred & don't care to share them with the outside world ? Would they consider that "selling out" ?

I really would like to know. Obviously, I'm mainly looking for answers from Native Americans.

Answer 1

I'm not Native American, but I grew up very close to both the Ute and Navajo reservations in the Four Corners area of Colorado, and attended school with many of them.
Traditionally their ceremonies were sacred and Very private, while I was growing up. Outsiders were not welcome to watch some of their dances at all.Though once in awhile, a youth would demonstrate a certain dance they had learned with their parents permission. It was always a real treat, for they would be in full dress for their performance. And on occasion there would be an event put on by the tribe, that all were invited to.

I don't think they feel as though it would be selling out, so much as it is just a very private matter of worship to them.

They lost so much that was dear to their culture, perhaps they just feel the need protect what little is left, for those that will give it the place of honor they feel it deserves.

But that is just the impression I got as a child growing up around them.

Keep in mind the Navajo language was so intriguing and mysterious, the U.S. government used them as Code Talkers, to thrwart the Japanese in World War 2.

Answer 2

I also have all the early settlers in me. Native American, Irish and French.

I think the Native American dance is sacred. Just like most people don't set around watching African tribal dance (unless your African) most don't set around watching Native American dance. It's usually only on special occasions that you actually get to see these dances. I was at a conference in Scottsdale, AZ and some of the Navajo put on a dance. I lived in NM for five years and never saw any Indian dances. I did see the "Eagle Dance" when I was young at Cherokee, N.C.. That has always been my favorite.

As far as actors I can name a few Native American, Russell Means, Wes Studi, Adam Beach, Eric Schwig, Graham Greene

African actors the only one I can think of is Charleze Theron and the guy from Amstad.

My Dad has a CD of Native American flute music that is really pretty.

Answer 3

I can only speck for what I think and feel the answer is to your question. I honestly feel deep down in my heart that that Native Americans in the past had so much taken from them. That what little culture we do have is very sacred. In my tribe when we are having our ceremonies cameras are not allowed. Don't get me wrong people have taken pictures before, but I've also seen people leave with broken cameras'. Most people already know not to even try. I don't know of any other tribes that have the same culture as ours and I can say that I like that feeling of knowing that I am from a very unique tribe and I'd like it to stay that way. Another reason could be that other people out side our tribe would not understand.

Answer 4

Ever hear of Rita Coolidge, or Big and Rich, or Tim McGraw? Rita Coolidge is Cherokee, Big Kenny is Lakota, Tim McGraw is Choctaw. Now while these people aren't full blooded, they do have deep ties with their ancestry.

It is not who the singer is, it is what is being sung. Anybody can sing a song, but not every song can be sung (in public that is). We do have many songs that are considered sacred and are only sung during ceremonies etc. Even parts of some very sacred songs have been recorded, but only parts you would never hear the whole song on a cd...

There are many of us who have careers in the recording, television, movie etc industry. We just don't go around shouting at the top of our lungs that we are Native American.

Answer 5

Because our society is more prejudiced against Native Americans than any other race. How come there are the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves for example? If African American slang terms were used (and you know which ones I'm talking about), the uproar would go on forever. I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Answer 6

I don't know the answer to your question, but as a fan of Native American music, I would have to name my favorites as being Wolf, The Whisper, and Runa Kuna from Ecuador.

Having met the first two named only once, and being very familiar with Runa Kuna (they visit our town for a week every year and give free concerts because our hospital provided one of the member's children with free medical care) I would have to say that they are a very unassuming lot, and this may have something to do with it.

They have all seemed quite content to just live their lives as is without a lot of fanfare and hullabaloo. There may very well be a spiritual reason behind this.

Answer 7

Look to economics. Think about supply and demand. Native American Indians are classified as a "minority." There are thus too few N.A. Indians to support a high demand (buying albums, movies, etc.) for the supply of famous N.A. Indian singers, dancers, or actors. Face it, the majority of Americans would probably not listen to N.A. Indian music if it were available.

Edit: Why is there a thumbs-down here? I'm being nice for once.

Answer 8

Maria Tallchief, a native American, was a very famous American ballerina.

Answer 9

Not a singer or dancer, but if you've never heard Carlos Nakai and his flute [Navajo], you are missing a moving experience.

And he's well known outside Navajoland. You can probably download a few bars of Canyon Trilogy somewhere.

Answer 10

I don't know the answer to that one. It's a good one though.