WHAT IS A POW-WOW?
What is a pow-wow?
The pow-wow is an Indigenous gathering of dance, song and family celebration. Traditionally, it is a celebration presented by one Indigenous nation to welcome and honour others. Pow-wows are usually three-day weekend events and people may travel great distances to attend. The main pow-wow season is summer, however there has been a resurgence of pow-wows, making it possible to attend a pow-wow every weekend year-round in North America. All people, including non-indigenous people, are welcome at pow-wows and are encouraged to attend. Experiencing a pow-wow can be a valuable and fascinating cultural experience for those unfamiliar with Indigenous culture.
There are several different kinds of pow-wows, though the two most common are known as traditional and competition pow-wows. In traditional pow-wows, everyone who participates in the dance or singing programs is awarded day money. While there is still a degree of competition in the dancing events, it is somewhat informal and ceremonies such as honourings, giveaways, “first” dances and adoptions are also important activities of the day. A competition pow-wow, on the other hand, has significant prize money available for the dancers, depending on the resources available to the host tribe/nation. While everyone can still compete and dance, only the dancers who place near the top of the competition receive prize money. Drum groups also compete for prize money.
Pow-wow Etiquette
Benches and chairs marked with blankets are reserved for the dancers dressed in dance regalia. The blankets placed in the arena on benches mark the spot of the dancers. Please do not sit on someone’s blanket unless invited. If you are not dancing, you may bring chairs or sit on benches not marked with blankets or regalia.
Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. He will announce who is to dance, the dance style and when to dance.
Please be considerate to those seated or standing behind you. They may not be able to see over you. Please make room for everyone to enjoy the dancing.
During the Flag song and Honour Songs, you are asked to stand and remove hats to show respect for the Flags and those being honoured.
The dance arena is for those participating in the dance. It has been blessed and should be considered sacred.
Photographs should be taken only with permission of the individual subject. You are welcome to take group pictures without anyone’s permission. Please remember to be courteous. If you have any questions, please ask.
Terms used at the Pow-wow
Announcer, Master of Ceremonies
All Pow-wows have these. They keep the event going, announce events, explain exhibition and competition dances, tell jokes, etc.
Arena Director(s)
Usually honoured dancers who keep track of drum order and dance contests and help coordinate contest events.
The Drum
The drum is much more than a musical instrument to Indigenous people. It is sacred. It is a very special tie to the traditional way of life. It should be cared for in a certain prescribed manner. All singers must know the strict and exacting protocol to be observed when seated at the drum. You may note the singers observe strict drum etiquette. The drum sets the rhythm of the dance and the tempo of the song. The main type of drum used at most pow-wows is a traditional drum, made by stretching hides over a round frame and lacing the hides together with rawhide thongs. The drum is accorded the highest respect by all Nations as a most important part of any pow-wow. It is said by some that the drum was brought to Indigenous people by a woman and therefore there’s a woman spirit that resides inside the drum. The drum is often thought to help bring the physical and mental side of a person back in touch with his or her spiritual side.
Indigenous Flag
A staff, spiritual in nature, covered in fur and hung with eagle feathers, which represents an Indigenous Nation and/or tribe, carried by an elder in the opening ceremonies.
Flag Song
In recent years, nearly every Indigenous group has composed a flag song, dedicated to the men and women who have served in the armed forces in various wars. The flag songs are the equivalent of the National Anthem; all stand as the song is sung. There is no dancing to this song, but all stand in respect. Certain women whose father, brother, or son is a veteran may traditionally dance in peace.
Floor Coordinator
The floor coordinator oversees all events taking place on the floor and keeps the dancing events on schedule.
Grand Entry
The Pow-wow begins with Grand Entry. All spectators are asked to rise as the flags and eagle staffs of the host and visiting tribes are brought in. The Eagle staffs and flags representing nations, families, and communities. As the drums begin a grand entry song, the chief or tribal chair of the host tribe and visiting dignitaries enter the arena. They are followed by other honoured members and the colour guard of veterans. Elected royalty (princesses, warriors, etc.), young people who have been chosen and honoured by their specific home community to represent that community at Pow-wows around the country, follow next. Led by the elders, the men dancers follow next, generally in the following order: men’s traditional dancers, men’s grass dancers, and then men’s fancy dancers. Then the women enter, also led by the elder women and in the order of women’s traditional dancers, jingle dress dancers and then fancy shawl dancers. The teenage boys enter next, followed by the teenage girls and then the younger boys, girls and tiny tots. The dancers in each category are announced by the MC’s as they pass the announcers stand. Finally, the arena is filled with all the dancers, each dancing in their grand regalia. Responsibility for maintaining the song passes from drum to drum, going around the circle until all dancers are in the center of the circle and dancing. With all remaining in the center of the circle, the prayer song and honouring song for veterans begin next. It is a spectacular sight filled with beauty, excitement and pride.
Honour Song
Honour songs are special songs sung to honour a particular person or persons. It is customary to stand in silence to show respect when an honour song is sung. Honour songs are always announced before they are sung at pow-wows.
Intertribal
These dances include all dance styles in an “everyone dance” situation, for all ages and genders. The announcer will usually say, “Let’s everyone dance, all you dancer’s get out there!”
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 towards the outside, away from the drum. The entire line moves as one body, each in harmony to the rhythm of the drum.
stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow Pageant
Pageant contestants between the ages of 13 - 17 will be selected from their category and/or amongst those who apply. The winner will represent the stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow at other pow-wows they attend throughout the year.
All contestants are asked to compete for stɑl̓əw̓ representation, first by giving their speeches and then each will dance in their own category (i.e. traditional, jingle, fancy). Good luck to all the pageant contestants!