Apache Womanhood

[nekojames81]

Well im a navajo but cool !!!!! but KINNALDA is BETTER!!!

[173skater]

I was drunk in the background! :)

[MoonRedHawk]

I have blood connection to the Apache & Tsalagi nations and I do appreciate seeing this. I think those who think they want to be Apache cuz it's fun can now see there is so much that is part of the culture and it's not all fluff and feathers. You can't just wake up one morning and say, "Think I'll be Apache today." It's not honoring who you were born to be as well as not real. You may feel some spiritual feelings. That's ok. You don't have to be Apache to be spiritual, just yourself.

[19irving]

I know some Apaches are hurt by this being publicized. But the message here is very universal when the girl must endure dancing, etc. for hours on end. It is preparation for a life in which many of us are pushed to our physical and mental limits in many ways--regardless of culture.

[nikonone2000]

...I also believe that we won't 'lose our culture' just because someone decides to record it who isn't Apache. Would you still be complaining if she was native, too? I doubt it. They way our culture will survive is if we learn all that we can from the elders around us and make sure we and future generations carry on our culture! Don't blame others for our problems when many young people in San Carlos don't even speak Apache! We're losing our culture on our own, we just need to fix it!

[nikonone2000]

I don't get what some of you are saying. Why keep it private? Can you honestly say you have the right to be angry about this when the family and medicine man allowed the recording to be made and most like knew it would be public knowledge? What's with blaming 'white people'? Comments like that make Apaches seem more ignorant than they already think! I am full Apache and I think you all should grow up and get off your high horse! It's not witchcraft either! I pray to God while participating!!!

[CrazyNative4]

fab! :)

[justjerie]

I think it's wonderful the way their people rally for the young women. More cultures should stand by their children-male and female in the same way. We could and should learn a lot from the Native Americans.

[174basketball]

this ceremoney is sooo fuckin sacred!! why the hell is it on YouTube!! white people need to have some respect!!

[justjerie]

@174basketball I agree now that I read your comment. Some things should be kept private and I guess this is one of those things. But by the same token, we should not be allowed to watch and certainly not record, the tribe should have spoken up pertaining to the privacy of the ceremony. No disrespect meant by me at all.

[DVDluvr123]

@174basketball Maybe you need to ask the question of why the Apache are allowing their ceremonies to be filmed. You dumbass.

[gazaking765]

witchcraft

[teengirlsquad52]

@gazaking765 such an intelligent thing to say.

[CMeccamenza]

This artist paints beautiful pictures that depict our culture and people without us even asking. Have some respect for her; she had some guts to ask for permission and she got to film what she wanted. I have relaitves that aren't Apache and they are the ones who aren't even shy to dance everyday.

[CMeccamenza]

@apachekitten12 Yeah how can we keep our culture alive when people like you don't want these videos teaching others? How will the dominant society(caucasian americans) ever respect us as a people when we won't let them in our world or help them understand us? Apache people have alot of interacial marriages anyway and alot of our people are mixed. Grow up, this isn't 1900 anymore. My grandma watches these videos online in pride. She is 100% San Carlos Apache.

[lessthanthree1000]

I had mine in Fort Apache. It was AWSOME!! I wish I had it again! And I lov dis video of the Changing Women.

[EmoMaybe]

This is beautiful. I wish I would have seen it sooner. I love this culture.

[AzulDiamond93]

lil white girl tryna be sumthin she's not....SMH.

[dondecker100]

This is a very good story about the Apache people. It was done in a professional manner and at no point was there any disrespect shown by the artist. Many visitors are not genuine and they leave without leaving anything. In this case, I believe the artist gained personally from the experience and also left a good footprint in her trail on the road. Posting memories here is good. Who knows, maybe some Apache soldier in Irag or Afhaganistan is watching this to keep them safe from harm!!

[apachekitten12]

You shouldnt be posting videos of sacred ceremonies! how are we supposed to keep our culture alive if ppl can just come and record sacred practices and if our own apache ppl are giving them permission to!!!

[bluesapphire48]

I wish Anglos had a ceremony like this. Maybe we wouldn't have all the problems of prosmiscuity and teenage pregnancy if girls had to go through something like this.

[MsBluetaful]

AAW i REMEMBER MY SUNRISE CEREMONY.

[MrPepito]

If everybody begins "giving themselves permission" to enter the Apache world in order to "feel spiritual", what is left of their culture won't last very long. the artist can feel spiritual in malibu too.

[MattyTheMole]

@MrPepito I am only 1/4 Apache and I dont know much however my grand father says these ceremonies are not even real ceremonies, they are more like reinactments like the shows Joe Tohonnie puts on. He says the real ceremonies take place in sacred areas that can only be reach by foot like the guadalupe mountains where everything has to be carried in. I wish I knew more about the traditions of apache people and learn them properly.

[starshadosela]

YAY!!! I am San Carlos Apache and I had a big dance!!! I was originally only supposed to have a contract dance, but it changed and I was so happy that it did!!!

[altaha09]

i had my recenly in canyon day i was a good experment APACHE ALL DA WAY

[sinewriley1]

This dance was in cedar creek (Dzil Daha) silver butte, and the lady had gotten permission from the medicine man, mother, and godmother. As you see their interview. So I respect this lady's decision to record this. I am an White ountain Apache.

[LONEBLUE25]

I can't stand it when white people film me or take my picture like i'm a rare exotic animal.

[elinheartstristin]

@LONEBLUE25 LOL!

[PWatts3000]

White Lady! You ARE NOT an indian and if you have any love for indians... then YOU need to leave sacred things, sacred and not putting them up for the world to view! Ah-ho!

[jadednyte]

was this dance in Seneca? Cuz I think my friend had her Sunrise dance here. It was fun. This isn't her, but I think it might be the same place. It looks familiar, either Seneca or Whiteriver. Either way, I love going to these.

[darcproductions]

These Apache people invited the filmmakers in to film this ceremony, gifts were given, nothing was appropriated (stolen); instead their culture was acknowledged and admired with great respect. The young girl who went through the ceremony said she wished more people knew about the beauty of her culture and appreciated it as the filmmakers did and still do. She is very proud of who she is and not afraid to show it. All involved in this ceremony wish her all the best.

[nokiannie]

She look's like a beautifull strong young lady .Its not easy changing into a woman with all the different feelings and emotion's that go through our head's this is such a love'ly tradition to see she looks great

[nokiannie]

They look like realy friend'ly people I am in love with an Apache from the white mountain's and people try to tell me to keep away i will get hurt .All ive seen of my friend's is the work they do to preserve the wild life .I can't wait to be with my APACHE warrior one day ..

[sugarXspice95]

this girl looks familiar!!!

im apache! :D

[afheykaye]

i remember this dance...

it was in dzil nadaha...my hometown..

o yea n it's my aunt co-sponsoring=]]

shi'de'keha now...=]]

i had so much fun, n it went by fast..=(

i'm in dis video too, haha, dancing..lolz.

ooo...good tymes...yup, de burnette singers r de -->B3sT yO!!!!

yay now my cuz's dance

is coming up...o can't wait...=]]

[airforcebrat911]

If only the world could see through this womans eyes, then the Peoples would be free not in the bounds of present day society, we could live on in peace with the world

[thedukeofantioch]

the american lady they let come to it is beautifull.its the sort of ceremony id only read about.

[peacemtn]

Neato

[CarlosMacMartin]

Yes,I agree it was an honor for a white person

to be allowed to see this ceremony.I don't

agree with the taking of photographs or video,

but maybe times are changing.I suppose it's up

to the tribe to give permission.

[nuvataaqa]

i dont know if they ever told you but you cant take pictures of the Blessing! let alone film it its good film but its just that part

[wmafalcon]

I Remember this dance... I also remember seeing this lady there... So did you film the whole thing?

[jadednyte]

oh my god!THIS IS MY CULTURE

[darcproductions]

Yes, Susan gave appropriate gifts. If you watch the video again, you will hear that Susan has been visiting these ceremonies for 16 years. We were invited by both families through the tribal council to film this particular dance. We also gave gifts and our own heartfelt prayers for Shante.

[meems1128]

i hope that wasicu lady came correct and brought that family gifts for letter her watch...