Spring Break
The art of gifting, emotions behind it
Renee Roman Nose
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: Forum
In my culture gifting is a very common and accepted act that occurs far more often than not. Among other tribes, such as the Crow, gifts are very significant; a new bride is totally outfitted by her husband's family with regalia from head to toe. This is done in a public way, usually at a pow wow, where families will cover the new bride with gifts ranging from beaded buckskin dresses to Pendleton blankets, multiple pairs of moccasins, jewelry, and other gifts, all this to show her acceptance into their family. Gifts are given for all manner of things, to honor someone, to thank them for touching your life, as a sign of respect or to help out someone in need. To refuse a gift is highly insulting, just as refusing food is also insulting among many Native people of America as well as among the Vietnamese.
Gifting, giving Native-style, is a long and proud tradition. Sometimes it is as simple as folded cash slipped to someone in a handshake to help them get home, to help them pay rent or a late bill, or to buy medicine or just because you know they are struggling. Sometimes the gift is something personal, something you have made and have invested time and effort into.
When the gift is something that has been made, there are requirements that I have been taught are important parts of the gift - as important as the gift itself. When making a gift for someone, your thoughts while making the gift should be of the person you are making it for. How important they are to you, what you think of them, what kind of person they are, all good thoughts must go into the making of the gift. If, while you are making the gift, you get interrupted or have thoughts that are not positive, I have been taught that the work must be set aside and you go back to it when you are feeling positive again, thus preventing any bad thoughts from residing within the gift.
I have been a very fortunate person, in that many of my friends have given gifts to me over the years. I have also had the good fortune to share gifts with many people who have touched my own life.
Gifting, giving Native-style, is a long and proud tradition. Sometimes it is as simple as folded cash slipped to someone in a handshake to help them get home, to help them pay rent or a late bill, or to buy medicine or just because you know they are struggling. Sometimes the gift is something personal, something you have made and have invested time and effort into.
When the gift is something that has been made, there are requirements that I have been taught are important parts of the gift - as important as the gift itself. When making a gift for someone, your thoughts while making the gift should be of the person you are making it for. How important they are to you, what you think of them, what kind of person they are, all good thoughts must go into the making of the gift. If, while you are making the gift, you get interrupted or have thoughts that are not positive, I have been taught that the work must be set aside and you go back to it when you are feeling positive again, thus preventing any bad thoughts from residing within the gift.
I have been a very fortunate person, in that many of my friends have given gifts to me over the years. I have also had the good fortune to share gifts with many people who have touched my own life.
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