Powwow is a gathering together of Indian people to enjoy
and join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old
friendships and making new ones. It is a time to
preserve our rich heritage and renew our thoughts of
the old ways. We often refer to powwows as "gatherings".
Singers and drums are important figures in our culture
today. Without them, there would be no dance. It takes
many years of listening and sitting with a drum for
singers to lead a song. Originally, songs were sung in
the native language of the tribe that originated the
song. Sometimes songs were bought and sold between
tribes, and vocables rather than the words were used.
Songs were many and varied; fun and festive, war and
conquest, honor and family songs, religious songs, songs
of joy and mourning.
As various tribes gathered together, they would
share the songs of their people, often changing
the songs so singers of different tribes could join
in. With these changes, came the use of "vocables"
to replace the words of the old songs. Thus, some
songs today are sung in vocables, having no words,
and still have a special meaning to the people who
know the song. Many songs are still sung in native
tongue and may either newly composed, traditional
songs, or revivals of old songs. These songs are
reminders to our people of the old ways and our rich
heritage.
No matter what tribe, dancers have always been a
very important part of the life of the American
Indian. Most dances seen at gatherings today are
"social" dances which might have had different
meanings in earlier days, but have evolved through
the years to the social dances of today. Although
dance styles and content have changed, their meaning
and importance to the the people has not. You will
see no religious ceremonial dances at a public powwow.
Usually ceremonial dances are closed to the public.
What exactly is the Grand Entry?
By John Wigle
Photo by Loren Greene
Grand entry is equivalent to the singing of the national
anthem and other ceremonies at the ballgames. Grand entry
opens the day's or evening's dance with a procession. The
hoop (or Native American flag) is carried into the arena
either first or along side the American and/or Canadian
flag(s). Following the presentation of the hoop, a flag
song is sung to honor the hoop and the national flags.
Following the flag song, a veterans or victory song is
sung to remember the fallen warriors who have paid the
ultimate sacrificed and for our veterans. An invocation
is usually given at this point or before the flag song
and after the grand entry. The flags and the hoop are then
posted in the arena. The arena is now officially off
limits and spectators should not enter the arena unless
invited to do so.
The opening procession is when all the dancers
come together behind the hoop. The national
flags and sometimes the state/provincial flag
are usually carried along side the hoop to
represent the equal sovereigns of the US or
Canadian government and tribal governments.
The color guard is usually composed of veterans
and elders qualified to carry the hoop and flags.
Behind them are the head dancers, honored guests
and VIPS. Behind them are the various categories
of dancers. As the procession enters the arena
the flag travels in a clockwise direction
(sometimes in a counter-clockwise directions
for some tribes) around the arena until it makes
a full circle, then the flag proceeds to the
prominent point of the arena and stops, usually
the middle, or sometimes in front of the drum arbor,
or in a particular direction like North. The dancers
follow in the same direction the flag goes except
they continue in a circle when the flag stops at
the prominent point.
The flag song is a special song just for the flag.
There are many tribes who have flag songs, and each
song gives respect to the hoop or the US or Canadian
flag in their own tribal way.
Sometimes (depending on the size and local custom)
a public blessing and other dedications and honors
are given following either the grand entry song, or
after the flag and veterans songs.
At the conclusion of the grand entry, the hoop is
posted at the edge or in the middle of the arena.
As a spectator, the arena is now officially off
limits and you may only enter it for dances and
activities when invited by the emcee or arena director.
