Powwow A PanIndian Celebration

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PowwowA Pan-Indian Celebration

• By Tina Lo

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What is a Powwow?

• 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.
• A time to renew thought of the old ways and to
  preserve a rich heritage.

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Origins/History

• 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
• Gather together to renew family, clan, and tribal
  ties
• Form social and political alliances
• Celebrate victories
• Practice religious and spiritual ceremonies
• Courtship and agreement on marriages

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Importance of Powwow in todays 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.
• 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.

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How is a Powwow organized?

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

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How is a Powwow organized (contd)

• 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.
  
• Judges are responsible for judging regalia,
  dancing, and drumming

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Types of Powwows

• Several different types
• 2 most common types are
• Traditional Powwows
• Competition Powwows

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Traditional Powwows

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

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Competition Powwows

• 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
• Drum groups can also compete for prize money

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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
• 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

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The Grand Entry (contd)

• The Procession consists of
• Honored members and color guard of veterans
• Elected royalty, chosen to represent their
  community
• Male dancers
• Female dancers
• Teenage boys
• Teenage girls
• Young kids

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The Grand Entry (contd)

• 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
• 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

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Important Aspects of a Powwow

• Community, Family, and Spirituality
• Veterans
• The Drum
• Songs
• Dances
• Regalia

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Powwow Etiquette

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

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Powwow Etiquette (contd)

• Always stand during special songs
• 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

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Additional Tips

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

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READ ME )

• We dont 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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Links/References

• http//www.csulb.edu/aisstudy/powwow/
• http//www.ewebtribe.com/NACulture/powwows.htm
• http//www.tpt.org/powwow/index.html
• http//www.powwows.com/
• http//spirit.dos.uci.edu/aisa/Welcome.htm