Dear Editor,

What on Earth is an “Indian Interpretive Dance Team”? The company that provided the “Western” entertainment at the Gilpin County Fair last week began its work for the County after I moved away, so I was not familiar with their presentations. What I AM familiar with is powwow dancing, and I’ve never heard of dancers calling themselves “Indian interpretive dancers.” Nor, for that matter, have I ever seen Fancy Dancers with mock “weapons” performing. Were there drummers (no photo)? In “real life” there are no dancers without drummers/singers.

Are these folks actually Indians? I’m thinking that if they were, they’d call themselves by their tribal name, like “Ute Mountain Dancers.” If not, this is cultural appropriation at its worst, selling a lie to the citizens of our area. I have no idea how accurate these performances are, but if the idea is to share Native culture to our locals, why not hire REAL Indians to provide it? The staff at Parks and Rec should know better.

There are powwows throughout Colorado, for anyone who is really interested in real “Indian dancing.” Check the calendar at https://calendar.powwows.com/events/categories/pow-wows/pow-wows-in-colorado/.

John Clower

Denton, Texas