Everything You need to Know to go to a Pow Wow

For the first timer or someone seasoned but might have specific questions, this article will give you the basics for everything you need to know to go to a pow wow.

What is a Pow Wow?

There is still some disagreement as to the origins of the modern day Pow Wow. Some say the War Dance Societies of Southern Plains tribes started it. Some stories say that when Native peoples were forced on to reservations, they danced for people to come see.

Regardless of how they began, today’s modern pow wows are organized by committees and like most festivals and events, take far longer to plan then the actual event itself. They are usually intertribal meaning many different tribes attend and it’s a way for Native peoples to connect with friends and family and celebrate culture. Pow Wows are generally open to the public and a great way for Non Natives to learn and have some fun as well.

Everything you need to know to go to a pow wow is based on what to expect at a modern event.

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Key People at a Pow Wow

Pow Wow Committee:

The worker bees that plan the pow wow and oversee everything. They are usually scurrying around troubleshooting and checking on everyone involved. You’ll know them because they have the official Pow Wow T shirts on. God bless these volunteers! They are non stop!

MC

This is the guy with the microphone. He lets the spectators and the participants know what’s going on and what’s coming up next. Many times he will explain dances and traditions. And they always have great jokes 🙂 Don’t know what’s going on? This is the guy to pay attention to. He’ll let you know.

Arena Director

This gentleman runs the arena. He makes sure things are running smoothly and that rules are not broken. For example, sometimes spectators go in the circle to dance and bring their dog. This is a no no. No dogs in the arena and it is the AD’s job to gently let that person know.

Head Vet

Anything that has to do with dancing and the circle goes through him. The AD runs it but the Head Vet is the guy who makes the calls. It’s a very honored position and you’ll know him because he’s carrying the Eagle Staff at Grand Entry.

The Drums

The Drum is the heartbeat to the entire event. Everything radiates from the drum. Drums will either be in the center of the arena or around the outside of the dance circle. There are many traditions with the drum as to who can sit at the drum, Who sings, etc. That’s a whole other article 🙂 Point here is good drums bring good dancers and you can see it and feel it. It’s a beautiful thing.

The Grand Entry

Pow wow really begins with Grand Entry. Originally this was a full on parade through town (In some towns it still is) As a sign of respect, everyone stands as the flags come by and when the flags enter the dance arena. The flags include the US Flag, Tribal Flag, POW MIA, and Eagle Staffs of Nations represented. Great respect is given to the flags and staffs and expected from all present.

Following the flags are the Veterans. Pow wow is the only cultural ceremony that I know that gives such a forward display to our veterans. It makes me so proud!!

Next come Tribal Chiefs, Princesses, Elders, Pow Wow organizers. Then the Male Dancers come in followed by the female, then teens and littles. Once all the dancers are in the arena the grand entry song ends. An honor song or flag song is sung next to honor both flags and veterans filled by prayer. That usually ends Grand Entry.

Pow Wow Dances

This article couldn’t be titled ‘Everything you need to know to go to a Pow Wow’ unless we talked about the dances! The main event!!

Inter-tribals

These are fun dances and all are invited to join. The MC will usually call out ‘Everybody dance! Every-body dance!’ and he means it. Intertribal is a call for all people to come participate and connect. Men women kiddos, in dance regalia or not, participant and spectator… Everybody dance! You will see people dancing northern style, southern style, all the different dance categories (described below). You’ll even see people walking and talking. You’ll see babies and children and elders. And, you, the visitor, are allowed and encouraged to join. It’s not about ‘getting it right’. It’s about joining and being a part of things.

Mens Dances

There are three main categories for mens dance. Traditional, Grass Dance and Fancy Dance. They each have their own origins, own dance steps and own outfits. A good MC will share some of these stories. Most first timers to a pow wow are drawn to the flash of the colors and double bustle of the Mens Fancy Dance. It’s super athletic but I have to say that Men’s Traditional has it’s appeal as does grass. I love a good grass dancer… in fact, I married one 😉

Womens Dances

There are also three categories for women’s dance. Traditional, Jingle, and Women’s Fancy. There is nothing more beautiful then watching a strong traditional woman dance the steps generation have been dancing since before this country was a country. Nothing swells my heart like watching an elder get out there and suddenly she is elegant and limber and somehow a foot taller. I am 1000% the spirits of ancestors dance these dances with the ladies and it just is gorgeous. Men are asked to stand for this dance as a sign of respect and this small act makes it all just a little bit more meaningful. Jingle is an interesting dance as there is the traditional medicine dance and the modern flashy version. Finally there is the Fancy Shawl Dance which is truly mesmerizing to watch.

Pow Wow Ettiquette

Pow Wow etiquette is much like etiquette at any other cultural event. If you err on the side of respect, you cannot go wrong. I know sometimes people get nervous about overstepping so here are a few simple things to keep in mind.

Seven Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Always stand respectfully during special songs. These include the Grand Entry, flag songs, veteran’s songs or any other song the MC designates. Also, remove hats.
2. The correct term for a dancer’s outfit is regalia – not costume. Never touch a dancer’s regalia. Many of the ornaments have religious meaning and are cherished family heirlooms. I don’t know why people always want to invade personal space and touch things but they do. But you won’t because you are smart and read this first.
3. Ask permission before taking photos of dancers in regalia. If the photo is for publication or commercial use, this should be explained before the photo is taken. Again, you have to be aware that people may be wearing sacred items and may be dancing to win money or dancing as a prayer and those are very different motivations. Just ask first. It’s polite.
4. If you see a lost or dropped feather, do NOT pick it up. Notify the nearest staff member (identified by Pow Wow t-shirt) or Arena Director immediately. Reasons are these are sacred and do carry medicine. You don’t have to believe in it, you just have to respect it.
5. Pointing with the fingers is considered poor manners by some tribes. If you must point, use your head and nod in the direction you wish to indicate. I always like the story of if you are pointing at someone, always remember there are three fingers pointing back at you. LOL
6. Feel free to join in the inter-tribal dances by invitation of the MC. Seriously. It’s OK. It’s even encouraged. One thing I always like to see is when ladies cover their shoulders. Different tribes are OK with different things but as a rule a shawl or even a shirt to cover shoulders is a good idea. Kind of like church. Modesty is always in good taste. This is not the place to show off the body.
7. Do not ever cross the arena floor! Do not go into drum circles. If a drum group is singing or about to sing, do not approach the drum. Stay on the perimeter of the arena floor. In short, watch what others do. Pow wows are all about flow. Don’t be the one that screws up the good ju ju LOL

Etiquette is important

If you only read one section of ‘Everything you need to know to go to a pow wow’, make it this one. Pow Wows are one of those unique experiences where worlds collide. Some people are there for the show, to win money…others are there to dance for personal reasons like triumph over addiction or dancing for family who cannot be there. There are as many different reasons as the people themselves and there is for sure a cross over of sacred and non sacred so err on the side of respect and simplicity. Good advice for all things in life really.

Other things at a Pow Wow

Pow wows are more than dance!

Shop: Outside the dance arena there are always all kinds of vendors that are super happy to show you their handmade trades. Beadwork, shawls, leather craft, drums, all kinds of things, usually local to the area. It’s excellent shopping for one of a kind gifts.

Learn: Some pow wows pair up with local Scout troops or museums and offer workshops. It’s a super great place where kids can run around in a safe place and be kids. I can remember my own learning how to make fire and learn quill work. Every pow wow is unique in what they offer. It’s based on the community and it’s part of what makes them such fun events to return to annually.

Eat: How have I gone this far with out mentioning the magical healing powers of fry bread and Indian Tacos? OK, they aren’t magical but they are healing in that they are comfort food and even though it’s a tradition that came about after contact with Europeans, it’s a fabulous food and should be tried by every visitor.

Find a Pow Wow Near You

Pow Wows.com is a great resource for searching a pow wow near you. They have a calendar and it’s pretty much the go to place to post events. Once you are at a pow wow, when you visit the vendors, look at the tables. They usually have flyers for upcoming pow wows in the area and where they can be found next. It’s all about community.

Final Notes

So is it really everything you need to know to go to a pow wow? Well, no one article is going to give you every little detail because Pow wows are different everywhere you go. We’ve been to the National Pow Wow in Washington DC and we’ve been to local ones in up and down the west coast. Montana Pow wows are very different then Indiana pow wows and I love them all!

Point is they are everywhere because Indigenous people are everywhere. They run things differently based on their cultural traditions for the area. (Remember there are over 500 nations) so there is always something new to learn and experience.

Our mandate at the blog is to give you oodles of fun ways to experience our unique Nation and this is a great way to do it. So get out there and experience traditions from families that have been here since before America was America. And get fry bread. Trust me.

Feel like you know everything you need to know to go to a pow wow? Have you been to a pow wow? Which one? What did you learn? Do you have more pow wow questions? Ask me! I’m all ears!

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