Mr. Smooth Grass Dance Finals Spotlight Little Creek 2019

Songs by TBZ and Buffalo Hill

8:39 :)

[SKC]

I am now 65 years old & I grew up in a small Oklahoma town occupied by many of the Osage tribe. My grandparent’s property joined the Indian Reservation there. Since I spent the majority of my younger life with my grandparents I grew up sleeping in their “summer house” ( a screened in room outdoors). During the summer there was often a POW wow going on weekends in the summer. They would dance all night. We would attend the pow wow & then go to bed & I would fall asleep listening to the drums. My fondest memory of my childhood. After I was grown I found out that I am part Cherokee.

[baskervillebee]

If you don't know, when the tribes traveled in the old days, they would send the young men out to choose a camping spot. The young men would dance the grass flat for the people to arrive.
Grass dancers are the best.

[JV-cygu]

So amazing, as a Hungarian I am a huge fan of Native American culture! Bless you all! Wonderful dance!

[lisam]

The first dance was the winner in my eyes! Such old fashioned style and grace👏🏽👏🏽

[juliavasquez]

First one was with grace .My Choice. But there all winners in my EYES.

[shannon]

"The Earth doesn't belong to Us. We belong to the Earth"

[georgiapeach]

I am learning about my heritage. When I was growing up in the state of Georgia, we wasn't allowed to learn who we really are. Before my mom's eldest brother's passing, he told me my grandparents used to live on a reservation. They left before natives was treated so badly by the government. He we're Blackfoot, Cherokee (my mom's mother) and Navajo (my mom's father). He said my grandfather was teaching us his language but, we was punished in the schools whenever we'd speak it. He was right. All I can say is, never be ashamed of who you are because of anyone. Ever.

[Rezah]

stunning dance...what a rich culture the native Americans have...relive it...bring it back to life....let us enjoy it for decades to come....thank you. from your South African Muslim brother.

[caroleorourke]

First dancer knows his stuff. "Awesome"👍👌👏

[nicolette]

The dancer who placed #5 is my favorite. So magical seeing him personify the tall grasses, with the greens in his regalia lending credence to the comparison, and the flowing yellow tips are like sunlight on the swaying grass. Truly memorable.

[lilbluone]

can't love this enough <3 <3 <3 beautiful I so enjoy seeing our young native men keeping up with traditions and taking pride in every beat of the drum. the sound of the drummers and singers always makes my heart swell and I can feel it in my blood. I am a 100% native and like I said I can't love this video enough. props to all singers dancers awesome job guys <3

[gabrieleruth]

I wouldn't be able to judge such magnificent dance every move is perfect from each dancer thank you

[judypierce]

This is just absolutely awesome. Love the dancers and their gorgeous regalia.

[Camquarters]

Love watching these videos. My dad grew up on fort peck in poplar, Montana. My grandpa was head of Native American affairs and my father dated the chiefs daughter at one point. The grandest culture in the nation.

[cmatin]

Freaking props to all them! Much love from a
Mexican native

[barbaralemere]

1st dancer, great rythymn, interesting footwork, good use of his body - excellent. 2nd dancer, big expressive movement, 3rd dancer, nice fluid movement, good use of the space, good footwork -- enjoyed it a lot! 4th dancer continuous movement, good footwork with the drum, expressive use of circular movement. Good job! 5th dancer, Really gets down into the low movements, good footwork, lots of energy. Liked it! All the dancers were impressive. Congratulations to all the First Nations dance competitors. it was a good competition. What do the judges look for in a Grass Dance?

[julieday]

WOW! FIRST GUY A WINNER, AND LOVE ALL OF 'EM TO BITS!! FABULOUS DANCING ! MUCH LOVE FROM ENGLAND XXXX

[amycuaresma]

Men’s Grass Dance
Much has been written about the Grass Dance. Borrowed from the Omaha tribe, perhaps in the
1860s, the dance is very popular. Dancer’s outfits feature a good deal of colorful fringe, replac-
ing the grasses dancers originally tucked into their belts. Many dancers wear the hair roach, the
crow-belt, and the eagle-bone whistle—originally emblems for the Omaha society.
The basic step of the Grass Dance involves the ball of one foot being tapped on one beat and
placed down flatly with the next, repeating the action on the opposite foot without missing a beat.
Each time the foot is placed flatly on the ground, the weight isshifted to that foot. Dancersshould
keep their heads moving either up or down with the beat of the drum, nodding quickly, several
times to each beat, or moving from side to side. The purpose of this action is to keep the roach
crest feathers spinning. To keep the feathers moving constantly is the sign of a good dancer.
Although the Grass Dance is a freestyle type of dancing, dancers must follow the changing
beat of the drum and stop when the music does, with both feet on the ground. The competition
is divided into four categories: men, teen, junior, and little boys.

[youngslayer]

I'm a native american grass dancer in the California valley I am learning from this guy

[r-drenelson]

The first and the third dancer were dope. Their dance steps really moves with the beat of the drum