Item Detail
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19627
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0
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0
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English
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American Indian PowWows in Utah, 1983-1994 : A Case Study in Oppositional Culture
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Austin, Texas
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The University of Texas
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Ph.D.
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"American Indian PowWows sponsored by the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, the Northern Ute Indian Tribe, Southern Utah University, the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley Community College, the Salt Lake Indian Walk-In Center, and Heber City were observed from 1983 through 1994. Members of planning committees, head staffs, drum groups, dancers, and other participants were interviewed during 1991, 1992 and 1993. Two themes were salient in both participant observations and interview data: (1) Opposition to the values and practices of Euro-American society, and (2) Religious significance attached to PowWow activities. The sociological literature regarding racial and ethnic relations within the United States was reviewed and found inadequate to explain PowWow phenomena. A theoretical framework for the development and maintenance of oppositional cultures was constructed. The historical and philosophical context of PowWows was described and then specific PowWow features, including organizational procedures, speeches of Masters of Ceremonies, singing by drum groups, dancing by contest and non-contest dancers, give-aways, and the dropping of feathers were analyzed from the theoretical perspective of an oppositional culture. Modern PowWows in Utah provided a clear illustration of the operation of an oppositional culture within the United States." [Author's abstract]