Lol, yes, great cultural events.
How about the use of sweat lodges and spiritual drumming.
Should Christians participate?
I understand that's included at Pow Wows, correct me if i am wrong.
I believe Pow Wows are more so specifically for an open invitation for outsiders. However the more private gatherings are for clan participation. I believe historically, the sweat lodges were even more private meeting places for the Chiefs, Grandfathers, perhaps higher up proven warriors or one holding some importance/wisdom within the tribe, (a Council meeting if you will). And the drumming, dancing, a sort of Adrenalin pumping up, I believe once more so for the mens participation, before a hunt, war, spiritual purpose. ( Something similar to what Christians might call a Revival meeting. )
Something a bit different, use to hang (IMO), is record keeping, and agreement terms. Record keeping more so, tradition handed down orally, not so much written. And where the anglos, give their word, hand shake, now give their word as an oath and require a signature and keep written recorded documents... the smoking from the same pipe, sealed agreements among tribal members.
My brother used to yearly travel by horse and visit and had short stays with several different tribes and learn about the cultures of the different tribes, being distinct tribes, but similar cultures. He learned more from the “grandfathers”, and noticed the changes as the “grandfathers” started dying off, the up and coming being more leaning toward promoting secular and uninterested in their history.
As far as the “sweat lodge”, he constructed his own, according to their method, uses it for himself. Not like we would use a “sauna”, but more so for purification, body cleansing,
and totally alone soul and spirit focusing on deep conversation with God.
Yes he is a Christian, and that he says is a parallel to ...
Matt 6:
[
6] But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy
closet, and when thou hast shut thy door,
pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
So in summary...Pow Wows are more so for visitors to observe and learn. And clan tribal councils, drumming, dancing is/was, more so for private clan tribal traditional participation.