Have you ever experienced a Powwow? Well, at conclave, you’ll get to have an experience similar to one. Whether you’re a new Arrowman, a dancer, or some random guy who stumbled in thinking he’s on a reservation, you’ll learn a lot at the powwow. Dancers from all over the section will be, of course, dancing. Before you come, please make sure you familiarize yourself with powwow protocol…..we will follow similar procedures. Also, normally there will be a collection for a good cause, so be prepared.
The below information has been “borrowed” from the website listed. Hopefully, it will help you to be informed and knowledgeable.
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“What’s What”… at the Pow-Wow
Arbour: Usually located at the center of the Dance Circle, the Arbour is a circular structure roofed in Cedar boughs. Dancing takes place around the Arbour. The Drums are set up under the Arbour. The Arbour is reserved for the Drums and others should respect that space and stay outside unless invited in. The Arbour represents the Earth Mother’s womb and the Drum(s) her heartbeat.
Crafts: In the ‘old days’ Pow Wow was also an opportunity to hold something like a ‘market’ where items and materials, that were not commonly available could be obtained in trade. Today, the tradition continues with traders selling various crafts and artwork along with crafting materials. As in any good market.. prices are negotiable and friendly barter is expected. Most Pow Wows permit only the Aboriginal vendors selling locally hand made items although this varies from event to event. You probably won’t, however, need to worry about buying a ‘traditional native craft’ and discovering the ‘Made in China’ label on the bottom.
Eagle Staff: A staff, spiritual in nature, covered in fur and hung with eagle feathers leads Grand Entry. The Eagle Staff is the traditional ‘flag’ of First Nations Peoples and takes precedence over all other Flags.
Feast: The Community hosting the Pow Wow will usually offer a Feast on Saturday night of a weekend Pow Wow. Everyone is welcome to eat and to bring food. Breakfasts and lunches may also be served for Pow Wow Dancers in Regalia.
Food: Food is an important part of Pow Wow celebrations indeed of almost all Aboriginal celebrations. There are almost always food vendors on site offering a range of traditional and non-traditional foods.
Bannock: variations on basic ‘soda bread
Fry Bread: Bannock that is deep fried or pan fried and served alone or with butter and jam, fresh berries or as accompaniment to other foods (will remind you of ‘beaver tails’).. irresistible.. but perhaps not the best choice for those on fat-restricted diets.
Indian Taco: Fry Bread topped with chili, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and onions. Good stuff!!!
Stews: Moose, Buffalo or Venison stews may be available … if you’re lucky.
Wild Rice: Wild Rice in the form of casserole or salad uses wild rice harvested traditionally. Wild Rice is often available at Pow Wow’s in the Eastern and Central Ontario region.
Fish: If you are REALLY lucky a vendor may be offering Pickerel Dinner. If you see a sign… eat NOW because they will be sold out soon!
Fast Food: There is no escape from ‘McFood’…. And there are usually vendors serving burgers (look to see who has Buffalo, Moose, or Elk) as well as hotdogs, fries etc. etc.
Beverages: No alcoholic beverages are served or permitted on the Pow Wow grounds. Bottled water, soft drinks, lemonade, coffee and tea as well as Strawberry Punch and other traditional beverages are usually available from vendors.
Grand Entry: The official opening of the Pow Wow. On weekend Pow Wow’s there is usually a morning and evening Grand Entry on Saturday and a morning Grand Entry on Sunday. Spectators are expected to stand (if they are able), remove their hats (unless they are wearing an Eagle Feather) during Grand Entry and refrain from any picture taking or recording of any kind. The Eagle Staffs and Flags lead the procession followed by Veterans, Elders, Head Dancers, and Dancers in each category or style.
Most Grand Entries follow the same pattern: Grand Entry Song, Flag Song, Invocation, Posting of the Colours and Veterans Song.
Giveaway: Distribution of goods may take place during Pow Wow. The Giveaway can be offered by a family to friends, relatives, and visitors in honor of a person or event; for example to memorialize someone’s death, a dancer “coming out” for the first time in Regalia, for a naming ceremony or an adoption.. The giveaway is preceded by an Honor Song. There is also usually a giveaway at the end of the Pow Wow offered in thanks by the hosting community. All guests and participants are invited to take part. There will often be a Giveaway Song or Thank You Song at the end of the Giveaway.
Healthcare: Most Pow Wow’s will have a “First Aid” tent with helpers prepared to deal with the health problems most common at summer time events: cuts and bruises, sprains, dehydration, heat stroke, sunburn and Diabetes-related issues. Bring your own shade if you are sensitive to the sun and keep hydrated.
Indian Time: The time all Pow Wows run on. Schedules are set; but due to the informal nature of large gatherings, times are approximate. Things start when they start and end when they end. If in doubt… listen to the Announcer and ask.
Pow Wow Trail: Many Dancers, Drummers/Singers and vendors follow the Pow Wow Trail from Community to Community throughout the summer. Every weekend there are sure to be several Pow Wows within driving distance. Similar to a rodeo circuit, entire families travel them from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Singers / Drum Group: The music of the pow-wow circuit, each Drum usually includes five to ten members with a lead singer and others who can “second” (repeat the lead line with melody on a different or similar key). Dancers key their movements to the melody of the song, their footwork keeping time to the drumbeat. Singers have a variety of song styles they offer in order to allow dancers to show off their style. Songs include Honour songs, fast and slow grass dance songs, crow hops, and sneak ups. Song structure consists of chorus and verse, some using real words and others using ‘vocables’. Certain groups are known for their quality, and the dancers will honor these drum groups by Fanning the Drum or Whistling the Drum for them to repeat a song. A Drum can be fanned by a Dancer carrying an Eagle Wing Fan… or by a Dancer who carries an Eagle Whistle. Songs are mostly passed on by oral tradition but in modern times many are exchanged by audio recordings.
Sacred Fire: Traditional Pow Wows will have a Sacred Fire that is lit before the Pow Wow begins and is kept burning throughout the Pow Wow. The Sacred Fire is the responsibility of a Fire Keeper, who has apprenticed to learn the Ceremonies and practices necessary to build and maintain the Sacred Fire. Anyone is welcome at the Sacred Fire… but it is not a place for socializing or a place to get warm or sit and eat. It is reserved for Smudging and Ceremony. People enter the Inner Circle at the Sacred Fire, pick up their choice of medicines; be it tobacco, sweetgrass, cedar, sage or a combination of them and stand at the Fire and ask or pray to the God of their belief… “Creator”. When done with their prayer, they place their medicines in the Sacred Fire and the smoke created carries their prayers up to the Creator. Most Dancers will Smudge themselves and their Regalia to prepare to Dance. Elders will often spend time at the Fire conducting Ceremony. The Sacred Fire is the Spirit of the Pow Wow. At many Pow Wow’s, particularly Traditional Pow Wows, each day will begin with a community Sunrise Ceremony led by the host Elders. Anyone is welcome to participate in Sunrise Ceremony. Be warned, however, that sunrise comes mighty early in June and July! As you may guess, it should not be necessary to ask anyone “What time is Sunrise Ceremony tomorrow”. Other elements of the Pow Wow schedule may be flexible… but Sunrise Ceremony takes place at sunrise.
Retreat: Occurs at the end of a Pow Wow day and always before or at sunset. This is the time that the Eagle Staffs and Flags are retired. How this is done varies from Pow Wow to Pow Wow… but often in this area, this is the ‘closing Ceremony’ and consists of a Flag Song and Retreat where the Eagle Staffs and Flags are Retired by the Veterans and Elders for the night. The Pow Wow is then closed, however dancing may carry on as a ‘social dance’ as long as the Drummers and Singers and Dancers wish to continue.
Water: Water is always available for the Drummers and Dancers. If you are not a Drummer or Dancing in Regalia, it is a courtesy to purchase bottled water from vendors. At some Pow Wow’s, however, there will be large tanks of drinking water available for anyone.
Who’s Who at Pow Wow
The Pow Wow Committee, representing the Host Community, will invite, by offer of Tobacco, several respected individuals to conduct key functions related to the Pow Wow.
These generally include:
Announcer / MC: All pow-wows have an Announcer or MC. They keep the things going, announcing events, explaining exhibition dances, calling for lost parents, seeking owners of lost items. If you pay attention to the announcer you will be told of any Ceremonies taking place and any other protocols such as when it is ‘ok’ to dance; when to stand, take pictures, etc… Most announcers are also known for their humour and ‘groaner’ jokes.
Arena Director: Usually a respected dancer who looks after activities in the Dance Circle including coordinating of Grand Entry and Retiring the Flags. The Arena Director is also responsible to ensure that the Dance Circle is respected and the wishes of the Elders are carried out. The Arena Director works in close unison with the MC, Head Veteran and Pow Wow Committee.
Elders: The Community that is hosting the Pow Wow will invite Elders to preside over all the events. Usually there is a Male and Female Elder. The Pow Wow Elders lead the conduct of Ceremonies during the Pow Wow and in particular will give the Invocations at Grand Entry and when the Flags are Retired. Elders usually represent the First Nation on whose territory the Pow Wow is being hosted. Ceremonial activities all follow the protocols and traditions of the Pow Wow Elders.
Fire Keeper: The Fire Keeper is perhaps the most inconspicuous of all the ‘officials’ at Pow Wow, but one of the most important. The Fire Keeper is responsible to keep the Sacred Fire lit throughout the Pow Wow and to protect the Sacred Circle within which the Fire is lit. To become a Fire Keeper is a long journey and Fire Keepers are very much respected for their knowledge of Tradition. If you are not sure how to approach the Sacred Fire… Introduce yourself to the Fire Keeper and ask… you will enjoy the experience.
Head Veteran: The Head Veteran is usually a combat Veteran and Dancer who has several years experience on the Pow Wow Trail and is responsible to ensure that the Pow Wow is conducted with respect and that all participants are safe. The Head Veteran is supported by other Veterans and by ‘security’ personnel provided by the Pow Wow committee. The Head Veteran leads the Grand Entry, usually carrying the Eagle Staff and leading in other Veterans carrying staffs or flags honoring the nations flags under which warriors have fought to protect community and freedom.
Head Male and Head Female Dancers: This is also a high honor. These two dancers guide and direct the dancers throughout the pow-wow. They are the first to begin dancing in each song and are expected to dance every song. Being a Head Dancer is a tough job because they are expected to be very visible and active leading and encouraging Dancers throughout the Pow Wow.
The Drums: The Drum, along with its Drummers, who are also its Singers… are collectively referred to as ‘The Drum” The drum is much more than a musical instrument and ensemble. To First Nations people it is sacred. It is a very special tie to the traditional way of life. It must be cared for in a certain prescribed manner. All singers/drummers are expected to know the protocol to be observed while seated at the drum. If you pay particular attention you may note that the singers/drummers observe a very strict drum etiquette. The Drum is the only ‘instrument’ that is played for Dancing. The Drum most commonly seen at Pow Wow is the “Big Drum” or “Pow Wow Drum”. There may also be Drums that use Hand Drums or the Water Drum.
Songs and Dances
The Songs and Dances vary from region to region and tribe to tribe but there are some common dances that you will see at most Pow Wow’ in this area.
Round Dance: This is a social dance. Dancers move in rows of circles clockwise around the drum in a side-step, with the faster moving line in the middle close to the drum and the slower toward the outside, away from the drum. The entire line moves as one body, each in harmony to the rhythm of the drum. The Round Dance is often the ‘ice breaker’ that encourages the spectators to become Pow Wow participants.
Two Step: These are two of the few dances where men and women dance as partners. The “Rabbit Dance” comes from the northern tribes such as the Sioux. The “Two Step” is an addition to the “Rabbit Dance”. Women choose their partners. Couples, holding hands, circle the drum, stepping off with the left foot and dragging the right up with it in time to loud-soft drum beats. In early days, if a man refused to dance, he had to “pay” (money or craft gift) to the asker.
Snake Dance: A social dance – the “Snake Dance” is just what the name implies. Dancers follow each other in a single line, moving in and out in a snake like manner. The line of dancers describes the journey of a large snake through the forest and up the mountains, coiling up for a rest – uncoiling and traveling on. The “snake” comes to a river – section after section he crosses, down to the last, smallest tail dancer.
Crow Hop: A ‘special’ dance, performed by all dancers in regalia. The dancers’ movements and gestures mimic the behaviours of the Crow. The Crow is also called ‘the trickster’ and this dance is one that everyone enjoys with a good sense of humour
Sneak-Up: Traditional Male dancers in the Regalia of Warriors dance the Sneak-up. The dance represents the ‘reenactment’ of the events of a hunt or a battle performed by those who participated. Through the Sneak-up, the warriors share the story of the event to the whole community
Flag Song: Flag Songs are Honour Songs dedicated to the men and women who have served in the armed forces in various wars and conflicts. The flag songs are the First Nations equivalent of the National Anthem. There is no dancing to this song, but all stand and men should remove their head gear in respect. The Flag Song is sung at the beginning of most Pow Wows and other community gatherings.
Honor Songs: Honor songs are special songs sung to honor a particular person or persons. It is customary to stand in silence and men should remove your head gear to show respect when an honor song is sung. Honor songs are always announced before they are sung at pow-wows.
Intertribals: Includes all dance styles in any “everyone dance” situation, all ages and genders. The announcer will usually say, “Let’s everyone dance, all you dancers get out there!” You don’t have to be ‘in Regalia’ to dance in an Intertribal. By joining in the dance you also show your thanks to the community for the invitation to participate in their Pow Wow.
Smoke Dance: Smoke dancing is a freestyle and fast-paced dance created by the Iroquois. Competitors are judged on their grace, regalia and dancing skills. The goal of the Smoke Dancers is to show off their skills and to get attention from viewers. A single male singer playing a traditional Iroquoian water drum sings the song for a Smoke Dance.
Specials: There are several different ‘styles’ of dancing and Regalias. Usually during the Pow Wow, the Announcer will call for each type of dancer to “Dance their Style”.
Some of the more common styles include: Grass Dancer, Fancy Shawl, Men’s Traditional, Women’s Traditional, Jingle Dress and Men’s Fancy
When one of these ‘specials’ is announced, only Dancers in that particular style and Regalia enter the Dancing Circle. It is an excellent opportunity for everyone else to see that style and learn about its origins and meaning.
Pow Wow Etiquette
Pow Wow’s are Sacred events steeped in tradition and protocol, respecting these traditions and protocols involves some awareness but it is easy for even a ‘first timer’ to avoid making mistakes that appear disrespectful. Although Pow Wow is a celebration of Ceremonies that have deep roots in Aboriginal Culture, Pow Wow is also a living celebration of culture. Pow Wow traditions evolve over time and embrace what is positive in our changing times. Above all, Pow Wow is a time for joyous celebration. Newcomers are always appreciated for their interest and willingness to learn about First Nations Culture.
The Pow Wow site is a Sacred place. The grounds and the Dancing Circle are blessed before the celebrations begin. It remains sacred until the Pow Wow is over.
Remember that the Pow Wow is a traditional celebration and ceremony, to which you have been invited. It is not a ‘show’, exhibition or commercial enterprise. It is a real expression of Culture
Tipis and lodges may be set up on the grounds. Unless specifically marked for Display or Demonstration, these structures should be treated as you would treat a private home. In either case, do not touch any personal property.
There is zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Possession and use are strictly forbidden on Pow Wow grounds. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave.
Bring your own seating. There are often bleachers but usually not enough chairs for all. Try to reserve chairs around the immediate perimeter of the Arena for dancers in Regalia. Do not sit in areas designated for Elders and the elderly or Dancers if you are not in Regalia. Give our Grandmothers and Grandfathers the respect they have earned.
Dancers enter and exit the Dance Circle (sometimes called the Arena) from the east. Please be respectful and avoid obstructing their pathway. Also, avoid standing in front of someone preparing to dance. Do not enter or leave the Dance Circle except through the designated Eastern Doorway. Random walking, running or playing in the Dance Circle should be avoided. Don’t cross the Circle as a ‘short cut’. Please look after your children so that they do not treat the Dance Circle as a playground. Some of the dances are very fast and intense and you should make certain your children will not be hurt by a dancer who doesn’t see them.
The Dancers and other traditional participants at Pow Wow dress in Regalia. These traditional garbs are not ‘costumes’ or ‘outfits’ and should be referred to as Regalia. The appearance, style and colour of Regalia vary with Dancers of different styles and also reflect Tribal, Clan and/or Spirit Animal associations.
Do not touch any item of clothing, jewelry, or accessories of the dancers. Many of these items of Regalia are fragile or sacred. Many are very old and have been handed down from ancestors.
It is usually acceptable to take general photographs of the Dancing during Intertribal dances without asking permission. If you wish to take a picture of a particular Dancer it is respectful to ask them permission and ideally to offer Tobacco (in the form of a small cloth Tobacco tie).
Listen carefully to the MC / Announcer. 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. If you are in doubt … ask.
It is respectful to stand and remove your hat whenever the Eagle Staff is brought into, or taken from the Dance Circle. It is also respectful to stand during the opening and closing ceremonies, and other ceremonial songs. Listen to the Announcer for instructions.
All veterans may participate in the Veteran’s Song, which is part of the Grand Entry opening Ceremonies. Family members of Veterans may also be invited to participate in the Veterans Song.
Visitors are welcome to enter the Dance Circle during Intertribal Dancing and by invitation during special songs. The Announcer will tell you when visitors are permitted to enter the Circle and join in the dancing.
Pets (dogs in particular) are not permitted at Pow Wow… particularly not in proximity to the Dancing Circle or Sacred Fire. There is a traditional Teaching behind this prohibition that will be shared with you if you offer Tobacco to an Elder at Pow Wow.
Please dress appropriately and with respect and acknowledgement of the fact that this is a sacred event and an important community celebration of Culture. Many of the Elders at Pow Wow come from their respected territories and are not accustomed to the way of today’s fashion. Always be respectful of Elders and their traditional values; they are our teachers.
Occasionally an Eagle Feather may become detached from a Dancer’s Regalia and fall to the ground. If you are nearby and this should happen, do not touch the Eagle Feather or attempt to pick it up; instead, stand by it and protect it from damage, and get the attention of a Veteran, Pow Wow committee member or Dancer in Regalia. There are Ceremonies that are usually led by the Head Veteran that must be performed to pick up any fallen Eagle Feather. A fallen Eagle Feather represents the crossing over of a Warrior. If a Feather falls, the Pow Wow will be interrupted until the Feather has been recovered in the proper manner.
Feel free to talk to the dancers and Pow Wow staff outside of the Dance Circle. They usually are very happy to answer your questions about their clothing, dances and culture.
If you are not wearing Regalia, you may still dance during ‘Inter tribal’ and Social songs (like Two-Step, Inter-Tribals, Blanket Dance, Honoring Songs, etc..) Sometimes a blanket dance is held to collect donations to support the Pow Wow committee’s efforts. You may enter the circle to donate. Inter-tribals are for all tribes of all nations. By joining in, you will not only enhance your Pow Wow experience…you will also be honoring the host community.
Food is part of Pow Wow but please do your part to keep the Pow Wow grounds clean after eating. Respect Mother Earth and help the Powwow Committee by ensuring you clean up your trash and place it in the designated containers situated throughout the Pow Wow grounds. Your efforts will be appreciated by everyone as will your example.
