There is nothing more fun, in my child's eyes, than to go to a dinner and social, and then dance to the Big Drum.

We went to an Elder's Gathering this weekend and it was great. We had a good time dancing, and there were 4 drums there, so there was a lot of time to move and meet people that I haven't seen in a long time. Winter's a slow time for pow-wows; it's the summertime when it all starts kicking in. This weekend's social was great though, and well attended. The best thing about it was watching all the children get along.

I've lived in this same small town off and on for about 14 years, and there is a very big difference in what I allow my child to do between cultures. This area is predominantly non-Native, but there is a fairly large Native population surrounding it. With 4 reserves surrounding it, a University and a college with Native programs, and within commuting distance from Toronto, Native events generally tend to get a good turnout. There are tons of people around. You would think, then, that a close eye must be paid to the children at these events, but the opposite is true.

There is just such a feeling of safety at these gatherings. Everyone looks out for everyone, and the children are allowed to do as they wish. The parenting system is different; if a child is doing something that he/she shouldn't be doing, then anyone is free to talk to the child about it. It is not a you-mind-your-business-and-we'll-mind-ours scenario. The kids get to run around, and do their own thing while we do ours. The kids come back, take part for a bit, and then go off on their own. It's this way at pow-wows, and traditionally was this way as well. It may look like sloppy parenting, but it isn't. In the most honest way, it is letting a child explore and learn when he/she is ready to learn.

That feeling of safety exists in this type of environment, but I wonder why it doesn't during other non-Native events? There is an outdoor park in town, and during Aboriginal Day, kids run free, and have fun. At that same outdoor park, every weekend there is musical concerts and fireworks. Do you think that the kids have this kind of freedom in this instance? No, everyone has a tight rein on their child. There is more of an awareness of 'strangers and dangers' going on.

It's too bad that I can see it as a division of cultures. In the best kind of world, this wouldn't happen at all. In the best kind of world, it would be safe to let my child have fun anywhere, without fear of abduction, assault or worry about people that I do not yet know.