Two Telling comments? The Answer Perhaps?

[Hawk]

My sister is quite active within the Cherokee nation.....I am not terribly interested in our Cherokee roots or involved in the tribal activities (but I respect and understand it).......
.....people like my sister who insure that our traditional beliefs and practises are maintained for future generations......
.......Do we see some folk wearing feather bonnets at Cherokee pow-wows (completely the wrong tribe, by the way)? Yup! Sure do. Do we marginalise them and treat them like dirt or talk crap about them behind their backs and snigger at their folly? No. It's just not done. We respect the culture and part of that means embracing our fellow humans as brothers and sisters. The First Nations Peoples (Native Americans) believe in connection rather than disconnection.....


.......We yearn for this connection. We feel it. We live it. We embrace it.


......I can relate to this man being of both Scottish AND Cherokee descent.


.......On the face of it I prefer the aesthetics of my family's Highland roots...but I have a deep respect for our Cherokee roots as well.


.........

I have been debating, within my mind and spirit, if I should jump into this thread, ever since it was first started, now days ago...( thank you OP for the "original" statement and question, and for starting an interesting thread ).


I've find many parallels, and many differences, when placed along side something Native People ( original/indigenous tribal people of this, commonly referred to as, America continent ) have been wrestling with since first contact with non-indigenous peoples. I have now decided, since TheOfficialBren's comment above, to weigh in with an observation. Please have patience with me as I attempt to put something foreign to many minds here, in a perspective that can be understood (...you might see a parallel with "some" of Bren's above ).


First of all, thank you Bren for bringing up certain things in your above comments that touch many indigenous familys, clans and tribal nations, and tribal descendants, on a regular basis. It appears, at least on this particular subject, that we have touched on an area that we as Indigenous People have been debating for, say, at least the last 600-700 years, ie - what makes a person who they are, in manners, respect, culture, outward appearance, actions, etc...


It depends on who you speak to, for as we have a joke within the Native culture, "if you have six natives in a room and ask a question, you'll get 9 different answers", as three of us will probably change our opinions before the debate over the answer is finialized.


For the sake of this thread, I will attempt to streamline my comments, now that I've stated the above info leading into my comment. The wearing of an item, inherently somewhat unique to a particular culture and people, sometimes gives license to misunderstanding and even a lack of respect, if taken out of context. You can see a debate, and even an underlying aggravation, as to this discussion as it relates to the wearing of "The Kilt" or even a "Kilt", what's proper, at what time and in what context.

Needless to say, just by this thread alone, you have witnessed a wide variety of opinions, and strong feelings as to the subject matter. I see the words "traditional" and "contemporary" thrown around, throughout the XMTS Forum. Many times, this not only refers to the clothing item and it's associated accessories, but to the personal feelings of when and where this item, the kilt, is to be worn. I've seen very strong opinions within both camps, so to speak.


I can can see, by many comments in this particular thread, that some members have a very strong personal/cultural connection to the wearing of The Kilt, and when and where it is worn. Is this correct and proper....to these people it goes a lot farther than just a clothing item, but borders on a sacred, cultural item, to be respected and worn in such a way to continue to show respect to ones family, clan, euro-tribal people and nation pride. Is there anything wrong in that - no, certainly not..


Others, of a different mindset, find the distant cultural identity, important to their family, but have a little less of a strict, and even sacred, attitude as to their wearing of the kilt. Nonetheless, it is important to their cultural identity and they attempt, sometimes in a less than accurate way, to express it. Sometimes this is to the horror of the more "traditional" kilt wearers, as mentioned above. Is this wrong - not necessary so either, if the simple attempt was unintentional in "trying to get it right" in a more basic way.


Then there are those that find the wearing of a kilt, more in the manner of a good, comfortable, positive piece of clothing, that they want to wear, whenever the mood strikes them. Is this wrong - certainly not, as these folk simply love the freedom and personal expression that this clothing item offers, and it's the right fit for them. They have the freedom to dress however they like.


Will moments come up when one or more of these people, in the wearing of a kilt, have a different opinion as to their manner of dress and when and where it's worn - yes, certainly. Important here though, is the fact that all these people, are wearing a garment, that is meaningful to them, in whatever context it's worn.


Will all these different folk, wear the kilt in a respectful manner? Well, if you're a traditionalist when it comes to when and where you wear your Kilt, you probably won't agree with all the other wearers of this garment, but you may respect the fact that it's worn. If it's more of a family connection for the wearer, and more done in a relaxed and contemporary environment, you probably have respect for the kilt, but by a different definition. If it's worn as strictly a clothing option for fashion, personal preference etc., will one respect the kilt? - in as much as one respects themselves and those around them. All three of these examples are correct in one sense, the wearing of a common garment, and appreciation of it. Will all people agree, no probably not.....but we as human beings should act in a more positive manner and appreciate our similarities and try to respect our differences.


Be Happy - Be Kilted ( if you chose so...)


a simple Tribal man's perspective......


Hawk