What is Powwow?

Powwows are American Indian celebrations of community and spirituality, featuring American Indian drum and dance as well as American Indian vendors offering American Indian arts and crafts items.

The exact origin of the contemporary powwow is difficult to pinpoint but has its roots in traditional gatherings and tribal dances for particular situations. As American Indians were moved onto reservations, their dancing was curtailed by government regulations and so became a powerful symbol of Indian identity. Since the turn of the twentieth century, the intertribal powwow has rapidly developed into a form of expression recognizable to American Indians throughout the continent. The dance and dress styles characteristic of the contemporary powwow owe much to the Northern and Southern Plains peoples, but have spread and adapted to the changes within Indian cultures, powerfully symbolizing both tribally specific and American Indian identity.

The contemporary powwow is a social event, like a big family reunion where everyone comes to renew acquaintances and to dance. It is a time for people to come together in song and dance, a time to put aside tribal differences and help bridge the gap between the American Indian and the non-Indian worlds. However, powwows are not simply secular opportunities for fun; they are a prayer to the Creator, a celebration of spirituality, and a connection with Indianness of past, present and future.

There are two types of powwows: the traditional or honoring powwow, and the non-traditional or contest powwow. Honorings are an important part of the traditional powwow like ours.

Powwow Etiquette

Because powwows are sacred events steeped in tradition and protocol, we will try to explain some of the details so that you do not, by mistake, offend anyone or appear disrespectful.

• Remember that the powwow is a traditional celebration and ceremony, to which you have been invited.
• Chairs around the perimeter of the Dance Arena are reserved for the dancers.
• Dancers enter and exit the Dance Arena from the east. Please be respectful and avoid obstructing their pathway. Also, avoid standing in front of someone preparing to dance or those singing.
• Do not touch any item of clothing, jewelry, or accessories of the dancers. Many of these items are fragile or sacred. Many are very old and have been handed down from ancestors.
• Listen carefully to our Master of Ceremonies. He will explain what each song, dance and ceremony means. He will also give information about when photography and taping are allowed, and when visitors are invited to join the dancing.
• It is respectful to stand and remove your hat whenever the Eagle Staff is brought into, or taken from the Arena. It is also respectful to stand during the opening ceremonies, the closing song, and other ceremonial songs. Listen to the Emcee for instructions.
• All veterans should participate in the Veteran’s Dance, which is part of the opening ceremonies following the Grand Entry
• Visitors are welcome to enter the Dance Arena during Intertribal Dancing, and by invitation during special songs. Listen carefully to the Emcee. He will tell you when visitors are permitted to enter the Arena and join in the dancing. At other times, please respect the sacredness of the Arena by not entering it.
• Appropriate dress for women is a long skirt or dress, and arms should be covered. Men should wear shirts with sleeves, and pants. Shorts are not appropriate.
• Random walking, running or playing in the Dance Arena is strictly prohibited.
• Pointing with a finger, particularly the index finger, is considered impolite. If you must indicate a specific individual, do so with the eyes or a nod of the head.
• Do not touch an Eagle Feather that has fallen to the ground. If you discover a fallen Eagle Feather, guard it and notify a member of the powwow staff. There are ceremonies that have to be performed to return the fallen Eagle Feather.
• Feel free to talk to the dancers and powwow staff outside of the Arena. They usually are very happy to answer your questions about their clothing, dances and culture.
• Drugs and alcohol are strictly forbidden on powwow grounds. Violators will be removed.

Photography and Recording

Please do not take photographs or videotape of individuals outside the Arena without first getting their permission.

Please do not tape the songs unless the Head Singer of a Drum gives permission. Even if permission has been granted, the Emcee may request that specific songs not be recorded.

Photographing or recording of the Grand Entry or the ceremony to recover a fallen Eagle Feather is strictly forbidden. Videotaping in general is strongly discouraged.

Please listen carefully to the emcee; he will announce when photography is not allowed.

Arena

The circle is very important to American Indian peoples. Creation is a circle, the Sacred Hoop, never ending, constantly renewing. The center of the hoop is the center of Creation. All Creation moves in a circle, divided into four related parts (four seasons, four directions, four races, four beings [two-legged, four legged, winged, swimmers]). The Dance Arena is a sacred circle, and within that circle all things exist and are equal.

Drum

The drumbeat is the heartbeat of Native Peoples and their way of life. The traditional drum is a highly respected and sacred instrument. Traditional drums have no steel on them and are covered with deer, elk, moose or buffalo hide. There are usually at least four singers on the drum, giving testimony to the four directions. The drum is never left unattended. Nothing is ever set on the drum, nor is anyone allowed to reach across the drum. The drum carrier and singers have spent many years learning the tradition and the songs. Some songs are very old, and have been passed down from generation to generation. Some songs are contemporary. At times during a song, there will be honor beats. These are louder beats in a slower tempo, and are done out of respect for the drum.

There are many songs and dances in American Indian cultures. Some songs have words, (honor songs, for instance); others have “vocables,” a melody to dance to. Many are strictly traditional and are danced to in traditional fashion; some are contemporary and are danced to in more recent fashion.

Grand Entry

The powwow begins with Grand Entry, in which all of the dancers participate. The procession is lead by the Eagle staff. The Eagle staff represents our nations, our elders, our way of life. Honored veterans are flag bearers and are followed by Men Traditional, Grass Dancers, and Fancy Dancers, then Women Traditional (first buckskin then cloth dress), Jingle Dancers and Fancy Shawl Dancers, then Children (in roughly the same order). Dancers enter the arena from an opening at the East, dancing in many stylistic variations to the heart-beat of the drum.

After the dancers have entered the arena, the flag song will be sung. The song honors the Eagle staff and the American flag. After the follow-up song, a prayer will be offered by a respected spiritual leader or respected elder. All gatherings are begun with a word of thanks and a prayer to the Creator. After the Eagle staff and the flags have been posted, there will be a Victory to honor all veterans. All veterans should participate in the Veterans’ Dance. 

As they dance, the dancers in the Arena create a circle, which represents the sacred circle of life and gives testimony to the Creator and to the ancestors that they carry the traditional ways in their hearts.

Songs and Dances

Men’s Traditional Dance: This is one of the oldest dances, and has many different patterns and styles, which represent the man’s native family and individuality. Often, items of the Traditional Dancer’s clothing or items he dances with have great significance or are heirlooms passed down through the generations. Traditional dancers may wear a circular bustle of Eagle feathers, representing the circle of life.

Men’s Grass Dance: A traditional dance that was done for many years on the prairies, the Grass Dance was done to make a circle before the Creator and clear the way for the other dancers. Grass Dancers originally wore outfits made from grass. They would begin to dance, making a circle in the tall grass by gracefully pressing the grass down. Their movements resembled the swaying of the prairie grasses. Today, many Grass Dance outfits are made from yarn and ribbons.

Men’s Fancy Dance: The flashiest and most athletic of Men’s dances, the Men’s Fancy Dance is a modern interpretation of the old traditional Grass Dance. This dance style is characterized by bright, colorful beadwork and brilliant hued double feather bustles. Dancers use intricate, rapid footwork and wear knee bells for keeping time.

Women’s Traditional Dance: This dance is in honor of the woman’s role as giver of life and keeper of the home, family, and culture. Women’s traditional dance styles reflect women’s close connection to Mother Earth by never allowing their feet to completely leave the ground. Northern traditional dancers usually dance in one place; Southern traditional dancers usually dance clockwise around the dance arena.

Women’s Jingle Dress Dance: Originating from the Ojibway people of the Great Lakes area, this dance spread rapidly through the Northern Plains. The jingles on the dresses are made from tobacco can lids, and make a pleasing sound as the dancer moves. Tobacco is sacred, and the jingle dance asks for good health for the people. It is said that there is good medicine when a jingle dancer is present.

Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance: This modern style dance features elaborate footwork and athletic movement similar to that of the Men’s fancy Dance, but with more movement, especially spinning. The women wear decorated fringed shawls and brightly colored matching beadwork.

Intertribal Songs: Intertribal songs can be very old or very contemporary. During Intertribal Dances, all dancers, including visitors, may dance. Intertribals allow all nations, styles, ages and genders to dance, and are the most common songs at a traditional intertribal powwow such as this one. The Emcee will announce which songs are Intertribals.

Honor Songs: Usually sung in honor of a particular person, honor songs are also sung for groups or sacred items. When an honor song is sung, it is respectful to stand and remove your hat.

Round Dance: The Round Dance is a social dance in which all dancers and visitors can participate. Dancers move clockwise in a circle around the drum, in a step-up fashion, with faster moving lines in the center, and slower moving lines on the outside.

Two-Step: The Two Step is a social dance with male and female dancers dancing as partners. Visitors may be invited to join also. This is the only dance in which men and women dance together as partners.

Crow-Hop: The Crow-Hop is danced by both men and women and is said to have originated in the Crow Nation. This dance has a very distinctive musical beat and is unlike any of the other songs.

Snake Dance: One of the oldest dances, the Snake Dance imitates the journey of a snake. Led by the Head Man Dancer, the dancers follow each other in a single line, winding in and out in a snake-like manner.

Blanket Dance: Named for purpose rather than a specific dance style, a Blanket Dance is an opportunity for those present to make a donation as a blanket or shawl is carried around the perimeter of the dance arena. The purpose is announced prior to the singing of the song for this dance, and visitors may contribute voluntarily and in whatever amount they deem appropriate.

2009 Head Staff

• Host Drum: Iron Feather Singers (Southern Drum) Blackburn, OK.
• Co-Host Drum: Many Voice, Cheyenne River, SD.
• Co-Host Drum: Wikwemikong Singers, Ontario, Canada.
• Co-Host Drum: Maza Napin, Yankton, SD.
• Arena Director: Kenny Irwin, Sr., Arikara.
• Emcee: Ron Colombe, Rosebud Lakota.
• Head Male Dancer: Warren Lucio, Oglala Lakota.
• Head Female Dancer: Martina Merida, Ihanktuwan Dacotah.
• Head Veteran Dancer: Richard Brings Them, Lakota.