POWWOW POINTERS

  1. The circular arrangement of benches on the gym floor is the Dance Arena. The Dance Arena has four doorways, one at each of the Four Directions. Specific attributes and powers are associated with each of the directions: East, South, West, and North. Almost all tribes have cermonies that pay respect to these Four Directions. Once the Dance Arena is blessed early in the day of the powwow, it is considered a very special place. It is a place for dancing, singing, and observances of important events in the lives of the powwow participants. The benches are the reserved seats for the dancers in dance clothes. Only dancers and singers should enter the arena. Others may enter the arena if invited by the Master of Ceremonies, a dancer, or a person holding a special recognition.

  2. Grand Entry is the first dance of a particular dance session. The Grand Entry song is usually sung by the Host Drum. All the dancers enter in a particular order determined by their dance category. The dancers are led in by veterens carrying both the American flag and the Indian flag. The Indian flag is a staff of eagle feathers that represents the original flag of this continent. The order of Gand Entry line up at our powwow is: Color Guard with flags, Chiefs/Elders, Princesses, Head Dancers, Men's Traditional, Men's Grass Dancers, Women's Traditional, Jingle Dress, Men's Fancy Dancers, Women's Shawl Dancers, Junior Divisions in this same order, and finally, Tiny Tots or the very youngest dancers.

  3. The Master of Ceremonies is in charge of ordering the program and keeping a certain momentum to the powwow. He or she may give instructions to the dancers and drums. The MC will usually give a running narrative of what is happening in the arena and what is coming up next.

  4. Special recognitions are called "specials" and include honor songs, memorial songs, give-aways, etc. All specials should be cleared with the host powwow committee in advance.

  5. On some songs (Grand Entries, Flag Songs, Specials, Memorial Songs, etc.), the Master of Ceremonies will request that all people in attendance stand and remove their hats, if applicable. This done as a sign of respect for what is about to happen.

  6. The postions of Head Man and Head Lady Dancer are places of honor. The role of the Head Dancers is to lead off the dancing on every song. Exceptions would come for certain exhibition dances and at other times directed by the Master of Ceremonies. At some powwows, dancers do not start dancing until their Head Dancer passes by them in the arena. At our powwow. we observe the tradition that all can start dancing as soon as the Head Dancers are up and dancing.

  7. Blanket Dances are dances held to honor or help particular people or groups. During theses dances, a blanket is carried around the circle or somtimes placed in the circle. Donations are gathered in the blanket.

  8. At our powwow we observe a "clockwise" or "sunwise" movement around the arena.

  9. Many times members of the public ask questions regarding proper procedures for taking pictures of the dancers. First of all, photographers should stay outside the Dance Arena unless permission is obtained from the Master of Ceremonies. In general, no permission is necessary for photographs taken outside the arena of groups of dancers. Individual dancers should be asked if they would permit a photograph if they are to be featured in a photo. There may be times when it will be requested that no pictures be taken. These times might include the blessing of the arena before the powwow starts and during a feather pick-up, which is done to retrieve an eagle feather which has fallen to the floor. A dropped feather symbolizes a fallen warrior. The retrieval of this feather in the proper way is very important to Native American people.