I always like to share with younger people that during Powwow, during our ceremonies some of the things the older people used to tell us. When we were out there dancing of course we were not out there dancing for thousands and hundreds of dollars like we do today. We were dancing out there not only to look good but to show what we could do, our moves and what we learned from our uncles and grandfathers. If there was a kind of a contest it was fun but we knew we weren’t expecting much. Maybe a blanket or if there was some cash that would be fine but nothing real specific. It was more for honor it seems like in those days compared to today.

One of the elders told me when he is dancing he is not only mimicking an animal or a bird. One of the elders said when you are dancing you be sure and look over your shoulder, look back and see if your shadow is following you. If your shadow is there, well that is a good sign. Titooqatimtki mine wees saqis. You look around while you are dancing, you make these certain moves. So many of the moves that are made traditionally during dancing are not an accident. Some of the moves you see traditional dancers doing out there are looking up to the sky or looking around. Maybe he is a hunter or a scouter or something making these motions. A lot of things go on during these ceremonies that aren’t explained, maybe some of the viewers don’t even understand. I like to try to, one of the boxers used to say float like a butterfly. I like to move like a dragonfly. When I can move and make people feel good well then I know I am healing someone and it makes me feel good, too.