#196 American Indian Education

Native American Pow Wows are organized by committees that work for weeks before the event. At the Pow Wow, the MC and Arena Director run the event. The MC works with the Arena Director to keep the Pow Wow organized and running smoothly. These two individuals along with the committee work hard to bring the people together to dance and fellowship together in the circle.

The Pow Wow begins with the Grand Entry. This is the entry of all the people entering the arena. During the Grand Entry, everyone is asked to stand as the flags are brought into the arena.

The flags carried generally include the U.S. Flag, Tribal Flags, the POW Flag, and the Eagle staff of various Native Nations present. These are usually carried by veterans. Native Americans hold the United States Flag in an honored position despite the horrible treatment received from this country.

Following the veterans are other important guests of the powwow including Tribal Chiefs, Princesses, Elders, and Pow Wow organizers. Next, in line are the men dancers. The men are followed by the women dancers. Once everyone is in the arena, the song ends and a song is sung to honor the flags and the veterans.

After a prayer, the dancing resumes, usually with a few round dances. After the round dances, intertribal dancing songs are sung and everyone dances to the beat of the drum. At contest Pow Wows, the dancers compete in dance and age categories for prizes.

Powwow singers are a very important part of the Native American culture. Without them, there would be no dancing. The songs are of many varieties, from religious to war to social.

As various tribes gathered together, they would share their songs, often changing the songs so singers of different tribes could join. With these changes came the use of “vocables” to replace the words of the old songs. Thus, some songs today are sung in “vocables” with no words.

Yet they still hold special meaning to those who know the song. Many songs are still sung in Native American Languages either newly composed or revivals of old songs. These songs are reminders to the Indian people of their old ways and rich heritage.

Dances have always been a very important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dances seen at powwows today are social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changed, their meaning and importance have not. The outfits worn by the dancers, like the styles of clothing today evolve, it is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life.

The dance styles seen most frequently at modern Pow Wows include Chicken, Grass, Fancy, Straight and Northern Traditional dance categories for the men. The women dance categories include Buckskin, Cloth, Jingle and Fancy Shawl. Each Tribe has their own unique style of dance and songs, such as the Smoke, Bird or Gourd dance styles.

1. Pow Wow Day by Traci Sorrel

2. Pow Wow, a celebration through song and dance by Karen Pheasant Neganigwane

3. Pow-wow Niimiwin by Leah Savage

4. Bow Wow Pow Wow by Brenda Child

Historically, Native Americans were always moving in their daily lives. They were hunters, gathered food and used song and dance to communicate or pray. Today, Native Americans have combined traditional dance and song with fitness. There are many Youtube videos that feature Native American fitness instructors that have combined traditional and contemporary movement.