The Winslow mail., 1925-08-04
K KNICKERS WILL
NOT BE BANNED
AT SNAKE DANCE

! "A QlSCuSSiOH HAS arisen over JuG
impropriety of women attending
/ the Hopi snake dance attired in
! knickers or other convenient out
/ ing clothes. A number of letters
have been published in this paper
regarding it. The following is
submitted by Harold Youkti edu-
Gated Hopi, an employe of the
Santa Fe railroad in Winslow, who
is a nephew of Harry Surla, Of
Oraibi, head of the Snake clan Of
the Hopi tribe.
His letter follows:
''The Editor of Mail:
Il have read an article in your
paper about women coming out to
the snake dance wearing mannish
clothing
81 have inquired about this
among the chiefs of the Hopis, but
did not get any results, so there
fore the snake priest asked me to
see the editor of The Mail so that
he can publish the true facts
about what was said in The Mail.
"This one snake priest, Harry
Supla, says that he did not know
of any Indians holding any council
of any kind concerning the white
women wearing such clothing and
that they would not be allowed to
come in that manner of clothing.
sErNhics thn nhinf
of, as this is his most sacred cere-
moniel dance and the only way they
pray for rain, good crops and for
the betterment of his redskin
brothers.
I'VE Indians have had our
dances, just like our white broth
erS, but only in a different way
1--WE have many dances in our
custom, though it may be funny to
some of you white folks, but we
have been taught from childhood to
observe and respect our religious
dances, therefore we do not bar
anyone from coming out to see this
snake dance, no matter what style
of clothing he or she wears.
'Our Indian women respect any
white woman who comes out there.
1t makes no difference about their
clothing, as long as he or she can
respect the Indians while on their
reservation. | am sure our Hopi
people will surely respect them in
return.
"The women who may have held
this council have nothing to do
with the Indians ceremony, and
have no right in any way to inter-
fere with their dances.
Il do not know of any criticism
made by our Hopi women toward
any white woman's clothing who
comes out there to see this one of
their ceremonial dances.
THE snake priest wishes to in
form the people that come out to
the dances would be welcome just
like they have been during the past
years.
"The Indians who may have seen
the white mans dances here in
town of Winslow did not at least
ever make any kind of remarks,
though it is strange to some of our
older Indians.
$50 it is with the white man
(the paleface). He, too, may have
seen their dances on their reser-
vation; may, too, think it is funny
to them, but it is our dances, so
therefore no harm in any dances.
''As I say, these Indians held
these dances not only for finn of If
but the only way of worshiping.
There are but few of these cere-
monial dances they have, but not
all the men take part in it, because
it is a secret to them, just like any
of the white mans lodges.
This is a free country, so we
Hopi people do not think it is our
business to tell our white friend
what kind of clothes to wear.
Again l wish to say in behalf
of our snake priest that you are
welcome to come out and witness
their snake dances regardless of
the clothes.
Our Hopi women have respect
the white ladies whether they come
out in their silks. or not.
''We want 70 be respected, as we
always have respect for the
white race.
HAROLD YOUKTI."