A Day in a Life of a Native Dancer

I roll over on the bed and see Niyol getting dressed. He confidently paints his face with red face paint. Enapay runs into our room and jumps into the bed, hugging me tight, his feet cold.
“I can’t wait for the festival!” he shouts.
“Now son, remember today is a special day. We give thanks to the spirits” Niyol says demandingly.
Enapay nods and apologizes. I wrap my arms around my young son, his body thin and his skin soft. I can see the scar on Niyol’s muscular arm. He was clawed by a bear– in which he killed and shared with our community. He sure is a powerful one, a loving one too.
My name is Kimi. I am a Native dancer. I live with my husband and two children. We live in a small Indian village. We are excited for the upcoming festival. We are going to give thanks to the spirits for health today. Aiyanna is very excited, she’s been driving me crazy about it. But I am glad she’s grateful.
I braid her hair into two braids. She has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. “Mother, can help out with the crops?” she asks. I nod and she smiles. She looks beautiful with her deerskin dress, gently falling down to her knees. Enapay and Aiyanna get the instruments ready. I put on my festive clothing. This is going to be very exciting. I can hear the children munching on the popped corn secretly. I playfully chase them around. The smiles on their faces make me smile. The laughter they share, touches my heart.
We arrive at the festival and right away I can feel the happiness. Enapay and his friends laugh at dirty jokes. Aiyanna starts to set out the food with her friends. I see Aponi. It’s been two years since she’s burned my crops. Niyol was very upset. It took many moons to gather these crops, they were for our harvest festival. It was a total embarrassment. But here she stands, not a single apology.
Anyways, time passes it’s time to dance. My heart is beating quickly like the drums. Niyol smiles at me with his warm smile. I slowly clap my hands and keep time with my feet. I can hear the people cheering for me, with much encouragement. I swing my feet to the music, the fire crackles. My braids swing as I turn my body. I can feel the happiness. I can feel the joy. I can feel the love.