POWWOW

  The meaning of a powwow is derived from the term meaning "Spiritual Leader".  Today's events are mainly secular not ceremonial.  The Powwow is a cultural gathering of Native and Non-Native Peoples displaying the traditions of song, dance and dress from all tribal communities and parts of the land.  The gatherings are intended to provide a community adhesion offering a safe, sober environment for people of all ages and sexes (1).  These events are a means for tribal participants to honor and display their people's culture through songs, dance and cultural attire/dress.  

  These gatherings are mainly a dance event that can range from one to three days and located throughout North America.  Tribal Governments have provided financial resources through meals, payments to dancers and singers and even Prize Money for the various categories of dance and song to encourage participation (1).   

  Towards the end of the Powwow, the host community usually sponsors a giveaway comprised of blankets and goods provided to the dancers, helpers and even the spectators. Sometimes a family will sponsor a giveaway.  A family, who is experiencing “hard times”, may ask for a blanket dance to assist them with travel expenses and health care and of course these donations are always a free!

Well what about "White People" or Non-Native peoples participating in events you may ask, well they can!  Although they are prohibitions from outsiders in ceremonial events and customs for some tribes, powwows have no such official barrier!  

I have included a couple links for the states of NY and PA to assist anyone interested in attending an event:

http://www.crazycrow.com/site/pow-wows-in-new-york/

http://calendar.powwows.com/events/categories/pow-wows/pow-wows-in-new-york/

http://www.crazycrow.com/site/pennsylvania-

powwows/http://calendar.powwows.com/events/categories/pow-wows/pow-wows-in-pennsylvania/

  Reference:   Everything you always wanted to know about Indians but were afraid to

          ask, Anton Treuer, Powwow Chapter, Digital Version (1)

Comments

  1. Prof. Nicole NesbergJune 4, 2017 at 11:11 AM

    I've been going to pow wows for years, some I enjoy more than others. Many have dance competitions which can be beautiful to watch but if you do not participate interest in the pow wow may be limited. I do like that there are few barriers as it gives others a chance to participate, engage, and see behind the curtain. NN

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gary HogateJune 5, 2017 at 3:07 PM

    I have wanted to go when I have noticed the advertisements and even listed a few on my calendar to watch but then life happens and I was not able to attend and being in the military made it even harder. Now that I found the sights that I posted for NY and PA, I hope to finally attend and watch the splendor of the dances, songs and dress.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Batsheva ShomerJune 5, 2017 at 4:52 PM

    Interesting! Thank you for sharing. I love the idea of a safe, community-building event. The dance competitions sound really cool - I'd love to watch one of those.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Madeline RJune 8, 2017 at 5:49 PM

    I enjoyed the information. I found it to be such a nice idea for the community to build events that would allow tribal participants to enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJune 12, 2017 at 12:26 PM

    Thanks for all the links. I think it is important to see the splendor of a powwow and have information on what it really signifies. I really like that there is opportunity for non-natives t engage. What a great way to not only promote community within a tribe, it also provides a great way to be unified with other cultures1

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 18, 2017 at 12:10 PM

    Thank you for sharing this with us . I am really enjoying this course so at some point in the near future I would like to attend a Powwow myself to see some native American dances, and other customs in person. I think that it is wonderful that anyone can attend these events. Thank you again for sharing this .

    ReplyDelete

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