Powwow A Pan-Indian Celebration By: Tina Lo

What is a Powwow? An American Indian inter-tribal gathering, focused on dancing, singing, and family celebration An American Indian inter-tribal gathering, focused on dancing, singing, and family celebration Native American people's way of meeting together, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones. Native American people's way of meeting together, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones. A time to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve a rich heritage. A time to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve a rich heritage.

Origins/History Powwows today were largely influenced by Indians of the Great Plains in the 1800s Powwows today were largely influenced by Indians of the Great Plains in the 1800s In the old days, Indians would gather at various times of the year to hunt, plant, gather, and celebrate In the old days, Indians would gather at various times of the year to hunt, plant, gather, and celebrate Gather together to renew family, clan, and tribal ties Gather together to renew family, clan, and tribal ties Form social and political alliances Form social and political alliances Celebrate victories Celebrate victories Practice religious and spiritual ceremonies Practice religious and spiritual ceremonies Courtship and agreement on marriages Courtship and agreement on marriages

Importance of Powwow in today’s culture: “The contemporary powwow provides an opportunity for people to celebrate their identification with Indian culture and have become pan-Indian and inter-tribal expressions of pride.” “The contemporary powwow provides an opportunity for people to celebrate their identification with Indian culture and have become pan-Indian and inter-tribal expressions of pride.” “Society has inaccurate images of American Indians, thus Powwows help guide non-Indian people toward understanding and appreciation of varied aspects of Native American culture.” “Society has inaccurate images of American Indians, thus Powwows help guide non-Indian people toward understanding and appreciation of varied aspects of Native American culture.”

How is a Powwow organized? Held by one band or tribe to welcome and honor other bands or tribes Held by one band or tribe to welcome and honor other bands or tribes Organized by Powwow committee, dedicated members of host tribe Organized by Powwow committee, dedicated members of host tribe Usually three day weekend events Usually three day weekend events All peoples are invited, Indian and non-Indian All peoples are invited, Indian and non-Indian Event is run by the Master of Ceremonies and Arena directors Event is run by the Master of Ceremonies and Arena directors

How is a Powwow organized (cont’d) Master of Ceremonies provides the announcements and background information on the dances, rituals, and spirit of the Powwow Master of Ceremonies provides the announcements and background information on the dances, rituals, and spirit of the Powwow Arena directors manages the flow of activity in the arena and organizes the dancers and drummers. Arena directors manages the flow of activity in the arena and organizes the dancers and drummers. Judges are responsible for judging regalia, dancing, and drumming Judges are responsible for judging regalia, dancing, and drumming

Types of Powwows Types of Powwows Several different types Several different types 2 most common types are: 2 most common types are: Traditional Powwows Traditional Powwows Competition Powwows Competition Powwows

Traditional Powwows Everyone who participates in dancing or singing is awarded day money Everyone who participates in dancing or singing is awarded day money Informal but has some degree of competition Informal but has some degree of competition Also contains ceremonies such as honorings, giveaways, “first” dances, and adoptions Also contains ceremonies such as honorings, giveaways, “first” dances, and adoptions

Competition Powwows Has significant prize money for dancers Has significant prize money for dancers Everyone can participate in competition but only the dancers that place at the top of the competition wins the prize money Everyone can participate in competition but only the dancers that place at the top of the competition wins the prize money Drum groups can also compete for prize money Drum groups can also compete for prize money

The Grand Entry Powwow begins with the Grand Entry Powwow begins with the Grand Entry Spectators are asked to rise as the flags and eagle staffs of host and guest tribes are brought in the arena Spectators are asked to rise as the flags and eagle staffs of host and guest tribes are brought in the arena Eagle staffs and flags represent nations, families, and communities Eagle staffs and flags represent nations, families, and communities Drums begin the Grand Entry song with chief/tribal leader of host tribe and visiting leaders entering the arena, leading a procession Drums begin the Grand Entry song with chief/tribal leader of host tribe and visiting leaders entering the arena, leading a procession

The Grand Entry (cont’d) The Procession consists of : The Procession consists of : Honored members and color guard of veterans Honored members and color guard of veterans Elected royalty, chosen to represent their community Elected royalty, chosen to represent their community Male dancers Male dancers Female dancers Female dancers Teenage boys Teenage boys Teenage girls Teenage girls Young kids Young kids

The Grand Entry (cont’d) Procession goes into circles until all the dancers are inside the arena Procession goes into circles until all the dancers are inside the arena Drumming ends when arena is filled with all the dancers dancing in their grand regalia Drumming ends when arena is filled with all the dancers dancing in their grand regalia Ends with dancers in the center of circle, followed by prayer song and a honoring song for veterans Ends with dancers in the center of circle, followed by prayer song and a honoring song for veterans Judging of regalia, dancers, drummers begin after Judging of regalia, dancers, drummers begin after

Important Aspects of a Powwow Community, Family, and Spirituality Community, Family, and Spirituality Veterans Veterans The Drum The Drum Songs Songs Dances Dances Regalia Regalia

Powwow Etiquette Bring your own seating or you can stand Bring your own seating or you can stand Do not sit on benches around arena-reserved for dancers Do not sit on benches around arena-reserved for dancers Ask permission before taking pictures of dancers Ask permission before taking pictures of dancers Donate money to the drum during Blanket Dance Donate money to the drum during Blanket Dance

Powwow Etiquette (cont’d) Always stand during special songs Always stand during special songs Always listen to the MC (Master of Ceremonies)-they give you all the information! Always listen to the MC (Master of Ceremonies)-they give you all the information! Remember that you are a guest and that you are welcomed Remember that you are a guest and that you are welcomed

Additional Tips Be respectful and friendly Be respectful and friendly Go with an open mind Go with an open mind Do not be afraid to ask questions (The Arena Director or MC are great people to ask!) Do not be afraid to ask questions (The Arena Director or MC are great people to ask!) Sobriety is important! Sobriety is important! Most importantly is to have fun and interact! Most importantly is to have fun and interact!

READ ME : ) “We don’t want your rations, we want this dance” By: Clyde Ellis “We don’t want your rations, we want this dance” By: Clyde Ellis -shows evolution of this important cultural form -importance of song and dance in Indian cultural identity -discusses Indian ethnocide

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