What about the dances?
To the newcomer, the dances may seem similar, but each classification of dancers has a certain set of steps and variations that are consistent with the classification.

Tell me about the Grand Entry.
This is the opening of each session of the pow-wow. Typically there is a Grand Entry in the early afternoon and one for the evening dancing. All of the dressed dancers are expected to participate, and participation in all the grand entries may be a requirement for dancers in competition.

What is the Flag Song?
Following the Grand Entry, there is usually a flag song, sung by a designated drum, to honor the flags and staffs carried in the Grand entry. As in all honor songs, as an audience member, you are requested to stand.

And what is a Veterans' Dance?
A Veteran's Dance is set at the beginning of a pow-wow to honor those who have fought or died in the service of their country. It generally follows the flag song, and is open to all veterans and to those who have a fallen veteran or MIA in the family. It is an honor song and dance, and the audience and non-veteran dancers are requested to stand.

What other specialty dances are there?
These may be as varied as the cultures of the tribes. Some of the more common ones in the upper Midwest are:
The Song of 49, honoring the story of fifty warriors who set out to defend their people, and the one who did not return.
The Snake Dance, being a metaphor for life, the rebirth into life's stages, and the eventual crossing over in death to join those who have walked on into the spirit life.
The Shawl Dance, a celebration of the ability, grace and dignity of women, the life-givers.
The Sneak-up, a commemoration of the art of the warrior in stalking game or an enemy.
The Intertribal, in which all are invited to participate and dance around the dance area.

What are they singing at the drum?
The songs you hear may be traditional and handed down from singer to singer, or they may be original. You will observe members of other drums using pocket cassette recorders to record the songs sung by any one drum. The songs are passed on in this way, but are not meant for other use.

What is the function of the emcee?
The emcee keeps the pow-wow going, announcing and explaining the events, making other announcements, and joking with the audience. It takes time to set up the dancers for any given event and the emcee helps pass the time and bridge between the dance events. Many of the jokes may be in the form of teasing people involved with the pow-wow or the tribe, or commentary on current events, and will have a distinctly Indian flavor.

How long does a pow-wow last?
It begins when the time is right and ends when it's over.

What else goes on at a pow-wow?
As we said before, it's a social occasion, so there's a lot of chatting. You can enjoy traditional foods, shop among the traders for jewelry, crafts, books, and clothing, and generally have a good time, to the regular beat of the drum and songs. Don't count on being able to bring in a bottle, though, for most pow-wows have strict rules against the presence of alcohol or drugs.

Are there any web resources about pow-wows?
You can visit the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board website, which includes video clips, a teacher's guide, and links for an educational video about GLITC's New Dawn of Tradition Pow-wow, held in Madison, Wisconsin last summer.
Contact the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board website about a 15 minute video about the New Dawn of Tradition Pow-wow sponsored by GLITC in September 1999.
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board

What's a pow-wow?
It's a social occasion, an opportunity for good times. It's a chance to renew friendships and make new ones. It's a chance to affirm the joy of life and the dignity of a living culture. It's an exhibition of virtuoso dancing with opportunities to participate. It's a chance to get back in touch with the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It's open to all. (A good rule of thumb regarding Indian ceremonies: If you hear or read about it in advance, it's open to the public. If you didn't hear about it, you weren't meant to.)

What's the difference between a traditional and a competition pow-wow?
A competition pow-wow offers prizes to the best singing group, called a drum, and the best dancers. A traditional pow-wow features equally good dancing and singing, but includes more intertribal dances, those dances in which all may participate.

Tell me something about the costumes.
Let's clear this up right now. What the dancers wear are not costumes, for a costume represents something that is not the reality of the person wearing it. The correct term is "regalia," in the sense that it is clothing worn for a noble purpose and that reflects the inner dignity and purpose of the wearer.

Point made and taken. Now tell me something about the regalia.
Look for three basic classifications of men's regalia: traditional, fancy, and grass dancers. Among the women, look for traditional, fancy, and jingle dancers. Traditional men's and women's dress is reflective of the traditions, achievements, or clan associations of the dancer. Fancy dancers make use of bright colors, as well as more modern materials, patterns and motifs. Male fancy dancers often wear large feather bustles and quill roaches (the headgear, not the bug), as well as spinning batons to increase the visual movement. Among the women, look for bright colors and lots of fringe. Grass dancers' regalia is characterized by long, thick fringe all over the body, while women's jingle dresses are covered with sewn-on wrapped tin cones that jingle in time with every step and movement.