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Powwow A Pan-Indian Celebration

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 Native American people's way of meeting together, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones.

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Powwow A Pan-Indian Celebration

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  1. PowwowA Pan-Indian Celebration By: Tina Lo

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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.” • “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.”

  5. 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

  6. 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 • 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

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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. The Grand Entry (cont’d) • 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

  12. The Grand Entry (cont’d) • 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

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

  14. 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

  15. Powwow Etiquette (cont’d) • 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

  16. 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!

  17. READ ME : ) • “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

  18. 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

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