Some of the early Native bands that
started on the Navajo reservation, some
of the early western bands, even though rock bands,
they played in these little community centers
called chapter houses all over the reservation.
And their influences were Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard,
some of the classic country western singers.
So when we're at boarding school,
we used to listen to that kind of music.
Country western was one of the very popular
among Native people, and, also, the contemporary rock stations
that you hear on the radio.
And this is called "Mennen Skin Bracer."
"Having a boyfriend that holding hands
at the movies in the dark auditorium,
someone besides your roommate to dance with.
And on Wednesday evenings, having your name
announced over the intercom, because he
had walked across that brown grassy lot just to see you.
And you like standing next to him
until you casually felt each other's hands
and how strong the bones felt. Then
you might remember what your mother said about dropping him
like a hot potato if he turned out to be your clan relative.
But you don't bring it up.
His name was Pierce, and we were kitchen detail.
I wasn't homely and I wasn't built like some of the others.
I matured late.
She looks smart, was what they said.
What did they know?
I was in culture shock for four years
at the white public school, and never made honorable mention.
Nobody was interested, so I stopped trying.
Anyway, Pierce asked me to dance Friday night.
Mostly, we danced, stomped, scooping, and twirling
to the Wingate Valley Boys, the Zuni Midnighters,
Offenders, you know, heavy on the bass, rah ja jin,
rah ja jin.
So there I was on the floor, nervous, because it's
my first time with a guy.
OK, I'm ready to show off my stuff, I thought.
All those months practicing with Mary Jean was paying off.
We went round and round.
He led me to the edge of the dance floor
under the basketball hoop.
And all evening, I smelled Mennen Skin Bracer.
Well, we danced a few more times.
And afterwards, Pierce walked me back to the door.
Later, I found out he left a trail of broken hearts.
That evening, the smell of Mennen Skin Bracer
lingered long on my hands.
And even now, when I'm in the grocery
store in the cosmetic department,
I'll open a bottle of Mennen Skin Bracer and take a whiff
my first dance at the Indian School gym."