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The Kaw people do not now, nor did they ever, perform a ceremony called the Ta-na-e-ka. It is a complete fabrication. Even the name, Mary Whitebird is a fabrication. It is not a Kaw name. No Kaw person, past or present, had this name. We at the Kaw Nation are in the process of contacting the publishers of anthologies that include this piece of fiction to either omit it from future printings of their school books or at least preface the story by notifying teachers and readers that there is not a grain of truth in the story. I am the director of the Kaw Language Department at the Kaw Nation in Kaw City, Oklahoma and a Ph.D. anthropologist, so I am well qualified to make these claims. Occasionally, a responsible school teacher will locate us through our website and ask us for more information about this "ceremony," giving us an opportunity to tell them the truth. Sadly, most teachers and students take it as fact simply because it is printed in a book. I suggest that teachers use this as an opportunity to teach students to read critically and not to accept everything they read as truth, even if it is in a volume by an otherwise responsible publisher. If you want to know more about the Kaw (also called the Kansa) Indians, for whom the state of Kansas is named, please visit our website.
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∙ 12y ago
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What is Mary's attitude toward tanaeka before the ritual?
she does not want to be in the ritual
What are events in the story of tanaeka by Mary whitebird?
In the story "Tanaeka" by Mary Whitebird, the events include Tanaeka's journey to find her father, her encounters with various magical beings and challenges along the way, and ultimately her realization of her true identity and purpose. The story explores themes of self-discovery, courage, and the connection between the human and supernatural worlds.
How do Mary and roger feel as the time to participate in tanaeka draws nearer?
tuittiu
Do people now do Ta Na E Ka?
Tanaeka is the name of a fake Kaw (Kansa) native American ceremony invented by a deranged white male pretending to be a native American woman, calling himself Mary Whitebird, in a very poorly written book. Everything about it is false and pure imagination. It has nothing at all to do with the real Kaw tribe or Kaw religion and is nothing but nonsense - such stories should by law have to carry a prominent warning that they are fiction and do not reflect genuine native traditions.
Who is Mary whitebird?
There has never been a real person called Mary Whitebird. This was a pseudonym (false name) used by a white American male whose real identity has not been disclosed. It is known that he died in 2010 and probably never wrote any other books.It is also clear that every aspect of "Tanaeka" is fake. There is no such ceremony among the Kansa (Kaw) tribe and there never has been; "native words" used in the story are definitely not Kansa words and the whole thing is pure fiction.Most people would think it a positive advantage that the writer never attempted to dupe readers with another hoax like that.
What other stories did Mary Whitebird write besides Ta-Na-E-Ka?
There has never been a real person called Mary Whitebird. This was a pseudonym (false name) used by a white American male whose real identity has not been disclosed. It is known that he died in 2010 and probably never wrote any other books.It is also clear that every aspect of "Tanaeka" is fake. There is no such ceremony among the Kansa (Kaw) tribe and there never has been; "native words" used in the story are definitely not Kansa words and the whole thing is pure fiction.Most people would think it a positive advantage that the writer never attempted to dupe readers with another hoax like that.
What books did Mary whitebird write?
There has never been a real person called Mary Whitebird. This was a pseudonym (false name) used by a white American male whose real identity has not been disclosed. It is known that he died in 2010 and probably never wrote any other books besides Tanaeka.It is also clear that every aspect of "Tanaeka" is fake. There is no such ceremony among the Kansa (Kaw) tribe and there never has been; "native words" used in the story are definitely not Kansa words and the whole thing is pure fiction.Most people would think it a positive advantage that the writer never attempted to dupe readers with another hoax like that.
