FNMI Dance Created by Sharon Meyer NESD FNMI May 2014

The powwow dance is a time to celebrate all there is on Mother Earth. It is gathering to celebrate life and the elements of Mother Earth. Each dance has its own drum beat, song, and footwork. There are many misunderstandings that First Nation people just hop around – there are specific foot patterns and movement that a dancer has to perform. The powwow has become a competitive structure and have rules that need to be followed and honored. If any regalia items are dropped from the dancer they are out of the competition. A dancer has to follow the beat of the drum and when the drum stops the dancer has to stop dancing to if they over dance past the beat of the drum – they can be eliminated out of the dance competition. Listening skills are very important. Here is a picture of students taking powwow dance lessons!

Little to no beads or any additions of contemporary items adorn the regalia Buffalo hide tanning 0:57 (hard work was put into hide tanning) Traditional Hide Regalia

Today there is use of much cloth, beads, color, and designs Haliwa-Saponi Powwow: Regalia Making 1:52

- Usually a male role - Keeps everything in an orderly fashion - Makes sure that everyone dances in the correct direction of the circle - Makes sure no one enters the arbor area while the powwow dancers are performing - Keeps the arbor area clean - Makes sure that no one is taking pictures at inappropriate times - Watches for any falling regalia or eagle feathers See the man with the top hat in the back of the picture. He would be an acting arbor keeper. The arbor keeper wears normal clothing but usually has a walking stick – just in case he needs to tap some sense into someone!!!! (Just kidding)

Porcupine Plain Gr. 2

If an eagle feather is dropped from the regalia of a powwow dancer the powwow usually stops or the arbor keeper will stand by the feather until the end of the song so no one steps on the feather. A special drum song is sung and the dancer that dropped the eagle feather dances a circle around the feather to honor its dropping. The feather is then picked up by the arbor keeper and given to someone other than the dancer that dropped the feather.

Men’s Grass Dance – the fringes represent the grass and the movement represents the wind moving the grass. Traditionally the first dance in order to prepare the dance area – They had a role to make sure the dancing area was safe and free from holes or mounds. Piapot Traditional Powwow old style grass Dance special 2:27

There is one main feather bustle and regalia is made from animal hide as in traditional time. Loon Lake Powwow ‘09, Men’s Traditional Special, Part 1 2:26

The regalia is to have more animal hide such as buck skin. The dance movement is like a soft sway of grass back and forth from the hip area and the feet move like they float on Mother Earth. The feet represent the connection to Mother Earth. Women’s Traditional Dance at Auburn Pow Wow :27

The Men’s fancy dance represents the wind, storm, tornado – lots of spinning motion and fast paced movement. A very high energetic dance. Lumbee Spring Pow Wow 2012 Mens Fancy Dance 1:23

A female dance that represents the movement of a butterfly effect in the wind and sky also known as the shawl dance. The shawl represents the wings. PowWow 2014 Albuquerque Women’s Fancy Shawl 1:13

Beautiful shawl dancers by Porcupine Plain Gr. 2 students.

Also known as the healing dance. There are conesdecorated on a dress. The dress can weigh from 10 – 50 lbs Gathering at the Falls Powow Riverfront Park, Spokane WA 2:08

This dance is open to anyone and everyone at the time of the powwow. A participant does not have to wear regalia but must be respectful of the dance circle. Great Mohican Pow Wow, Inter-tribal Dance 1:49

The hoops represent the animals, plants and all there is on Mother Earth. Hoop Dance At Bermuda Pow Wow, June :46

Grass Dance Improv Muckleshoot Powwow 2:31

This is a friendship dance or a social Dance that is always done in a circle with everyone holding hands to represent the connectedness. Everyone is included and age does not matter. The hand drum is used at a Round Dance not the big powwow drum. It is a dance that is usually shared in the winter season. Round dance in Maskwacis rings in a new year and a name change 2:16

Red River Jig Broom Dance Sash Dance Red river jig Metis Crossing :22 Metis Butter Jigger 1:00 Northern Prairie Dancers’ Johnny Caisse doing the Sash Dancing at Pelican Narrows 0:47 Metis Dancing 2:55 The Metis used the wooden spoons and fiddle as the main instruments for their dancing. Down Yonder_with spoons 2:17

Even the animals dance in circles! Thank you for looking, listening, and learning! By: Sharon Meyer NESD FNMI