What is a Pow Wow?
The contemporary Pow Wow is a link to the past that helps maintain Native Heritage. Seen by outsiders as entertainment due to the singing, dancing, and colorful regalia, the Pow Wow is a spiritual legacy which should be treated with respect and honor. It is a time for Indian families to be together with other family members and friends. It is a time of sharing, of laughter and tears, of learning, and of caring. It is a time when Indians reflect on their traditions. It is a time to honor the past and celebrate the future. Indian families travel hundreds of miles to attend Pow Wows across the continent. Time and distance are not relevant. The renewal of traditions and reinforcement of the heritage is the important thing. Is is a time to strengthen the circle. The word “Pow Wow” comes from the Algonquin word “Pau Wau” which was used to describe medicine men and spiritual leaders. Early Europeans thought that the word referred to the entire event. As Indian tribes learned English, they acc
A POW WOW is many things: a gathering of Native American people to celebrate their rich heritage; to socialize with old friends and to make new friends; an opportunity to expose non-Indians to the colorful centuries-old traditions of the various dances and Native American crafts; and to educate the POW WOW visitors with storytelling and various demonstrations. The POW WOW is set up in a circle, a very important symbol to Native Americans. The drums are the heartbeat in the center of the circle. Dancers will dance their style around the circle, and when the master of ceremonies announces a “social” dance, visitors will be invited to join them in the circle to dance. Dancers dance clockwise around the drum arbor. The POW WOW begins with the grand entry, a parade of dancers, led into the circle by flags with the American flag always carried by a Native American Veteran. After grand entry song, a flag song will follow, then an invocation blessing the gathering, posting of the colors, and t
