When I was younger I saw other girls wear a Native American-themed dresses for Halloween. Their dresses had a fringe and at the bottom it had a blue zig-zag line. After seeing this, I asked my mom why my traditional dress didn’t look like the other girls’ dresses.

My mom simply said, “Their parents are idiots. Also, you’re Navajo and your dress will look different than the dresses girls from other tribes wear.”

People should learn the difference between a costume and regalia because not knowing the difference confuses kids; regalia has a purpose; and wearing our regalia is a part of our identity. 

Why You Shouldn’t Buy “Indian Costumes” for Your Kids”

Did you know when other people dress up as “Indians” it could confuse Native kids? According to Jovannah Poor Bear-Adams, a Lakota Sioux, her son questioned his identity as a Native American because he saw kids at a Vacation Bible School program where they had an “Indian” theme and wore fake war bonnets. Since he didn’t dress like that, he wondered if was really a Native American.

This story tells about one Native child’s confusion, imagine how many other kids are confused about their identity. No doubt other kids are asking their parents if they really are Native American.

My grandma argues that dressing up as a Native American can confuse all younger kids. For example, a young non-Native kid could get the wrong impression about Native Americans and think they are all the same because of an “Indian” costume.

As a result, that kid could tell a Native child that he doesn’t look like an Indian and ask questions that would confuse the Native child. In other words, people dressing up as ‘Indians’ for simple activities or TV shows could leave an impression on Native kids and might confuse them.

The Importance of Native Regalia

Do you know how important our regalia is to us Native Americans? Mike Dangeli talks about that when his school had an ‘Indian day’ and the other kids said, “You should wear your costume!”

He went home he asked his grandma about the costume situation. As a result she explained how Native regalia told stories and history. Our regalia is important because is shares stories and we also use it in our dance groups.

The dictionary points out that a costume is something that a person wears when they are on stage or when a person dresses up as another person. Therefore, a costume is when you dress up as something you’re not.

For example dressing up as Spider-Man is wearing a costume because you’re not actually Spider-Man. All in all, our regalia is not a costume because our traditional wear is a part of us and defines who we are. 

The Role of Regalia and Rediscovery

Our regalia has a big part in helping us rediscover our identity. Anthony O’Neal acknowledges that every teen is trying to discover their own identity and how they fit into the world. Now imagine going to school and seeing a white girl dressed in a “Pocahottie” costum. What would you assume about Native girls?

I am a Native youth trying to find my identity. For example, I know I am Native American and I’m proud of my heritage. But people question my Mexican half. When people find out about my heritage, they comment on my outside features. “You’re not Mexican because you don’t have curly hair or the bright eyes!”

These comments lead me to question who I am.  All in all, teens or other young Indigenous kids are trying to find themselves and you’re not helping by dressing up as one.

Think Before You Play “Dress Up”

Native American’s regalia is not a costume. Doing simple things or just watching certain TV shows could confuse any child.

The regalia that Indigenous people wear defines who they are and you shouldn’t make fun of their heritage.

Teens or other Native kids are trying find their identity and the regalia plays a really big part in helping them understand their heritage. In short, it’s not okay to dress up as a Native American nor should you call regalia a costume because it’s important to us Native youth.