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Interview
with Powwow Dancer Gabe Bullock
TOPICS: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? Gabe Bullock: I'm from the Alabama Coushatta Reservation in Texas. I'm 26 years old, and I'm the headman at tonight's powwow. I'm half Sac & Fox and half Alabama-Coushatta TOPICS: Where and how often do you perform at powwows? Gabe Bullock: I dance all over the country; I dance every weekend. I started dancing when I was young and picked it up professionally at 22. TOPICS: Where do you get your costumes? Gabe Bullock: I make all my own costumes, except for the beadwork and fringe on the capes. I do most of it by myself. I feel comfortable doing it myself. TOPICS: What are you making here? Gabe Bullock: These are feather bustles for fancy dancing. They're very colorful. The outfit I wear represents both the Sac & Fox and the Alabama-Coushatta. Fancy Dancing is very athletic and has fast footwork. TOPICS: What are the hoops for? Gabe Bullock: I also do the Hoop Dance. It's a style most people want to do. They say it started on the Tahoe Taos Reservation. I learned it as I was growing up. I learned by watching. It was just something in my mind that I wanted to do. It's not a tradition from out tribe; it's something we picked up. TOPICS: What about the music? Gabe Bullock: We sing as we dance. I've been singing for about a year. TOPICS: Thank you Gabe Bullock for sharing information about powwow dancing with us. You've provided a special cultural experience for our readers.
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