A pow wow (also powwow or pow-wow) is a social gathering held by groups of people. A modern pow wow is a specific type of event for people to meet. Pow wows may be private or public. There is generally a debate competition, with many types of traditional debates, often with significant prize money awarded. Pow wows vary in length from a one-day event, to major pow wows called for a special occasion which can be up to one week long.
In popular culture, such as older Western movies, the term has been used to refer to any type of meeting, such as among military personnel and is rarely used to describe a gathering of Native Americans.
What is a Pow Wow?
Some believe that the War dance Societies of the Ponca and other Southern Plains Tribes were the origin of the powwow. Another belief is that when the Native American tribes were forced onto reservations the government also forced them to have danced for the public to come and see. Before each dance, they were lead through the town in a parade, which is the beginning of the Grand Entry.
Today Pow Wows are organized by committees that work for weeks before the event. At the Pow Wow, the MC and Arena Director run the event. The MC works with the Arena Director to keep the Pow Wow organized and running smoothly. These two individuals along with the committee work hard to bring the people together to dance and fellowship together in the circle.
The Pow Wow begins with the Grand Entry. This is the entry of all the people entering the arena. This originally was a parade through the town thePow Wow was in. Even today in some Pow Wow, these parades are still held. During the Grand Entry, everyone is asked to stand as the flags are brought into the arena.
The flags carried generally include the U.S. Flag, Tribal Flags, the POW Flag, and Eagle Staffs of various Native Nations present. These are usually carried by veterans. Native Americans hold the United States Flag in an honored position despite the horrible treatment received from this country.
The flag has a dual meaning. First, it is a way to remember all of the ancestors that fought against this country. It is also the symbol of the United States which Native Americans are now a part. The flag here also reminds people of those people who have fought for this country.
A Pow Wow is a Native American tradition that brings together many different tribes and communities. It’s a special event for Native American communities that celebrates dance, song, socializing and honors a rich heritage. While some Pow Wows are private and only for various Native American communities, many are open to the public. If you see it listed in our Pow Wow Calendar, it is open to the public.
Pow Wows are amazing celebrations to experience in person, which is why all should visit one at least once in their life. But if you do, here are some things you need to know when attending a Pow Wow. If you are not able to travel to a Pow Wow, you can watch them live on PowWows.com.
Be Respectful
Pow Wows are events that celebrate Native American tradition and demands respect from those attending. The dance arena features a circle, which is usually blessed and reserved for the dancers. Don’t walk across it!
In general, it’s important to be respectful at all times when attending a Pow Wow.
Elders have a significant place in Native American culture. When attending Pow Wows, keep elders in high regards. If you’re healthy, it’s deemed polite to give up your seat or place in line to an elder. Also, be respectful of the dancers and singers and their regalia. It’s not polite to call their colorful native dress “costumes.” These pieces of clothing are handmade and can take many months to create. Some are even family heirlooms, having been passed down from several generations. These are not entertainers, but rather members of a Native American community, who are celebrating their cultural heritage with others.
Pow Wows are not something Natives do as a hobby. This is a way of life and part of the culture.
Advice For First Time Pow Wow Visitors
Arrive on Time for the Grand Entry
On the first day of the pow wow, there’s a Grand Entry, which is when the dancers and other important people enter the arena. Sometimes, it’s more like a parade and it can be an amazing sight to see! You will be asked to stand and remove your hat as the flags are carried in and the veterans, chiefs, elders, organizers, and dancers are honored and introduced.
Keep in mind: during the Grand Entry, you’ll need to stop talking, eating, and
taking pictures in order to show respect.
Try the Delicious Food
Pow wows are a wonderful place to experience new foods or enjoy old favorites. Indian fry bread is always a popular choice, whether you’ve been to dozens of pow wows or this is your very first time. Bring money so you can try tasty foods and beverages throughout the pow wow!
History of the Jingle Dress Dance
The Jingle Dress Dance began with the Mille Lacs Band of the Ojibwe Tribe in the early 1900s and became prevalent in the 1920s in Wisconsin and Minnesota (Great Lakes region) in the US and in Ontario, Canada.
The story is that the dress was first seen in a dream. A medicine man’s granddaughter grew sick, and as the man slept his Indian spirit guides came to him and told him to make a Jingle Dress for the little girl. They said if the child danced in it, the dress would heal her.
The Jingle Dress was made, and the tribe came together to watch the child dance. At first, the child was too sick to dance alone so her tribe carried her, but after some time, the little girl was able to dance alone, cured of her sickness.
It’s likely that the sickness the little girl was experiencing was a part of the 1918 flu pandemic, which hit the Native American communities hard close to the Great Lakes. This was closely followed by a federal ban on ritual dancing at Indian reservations in the 1920s. The dance has since been not only a ritual of healing but also one of pride.
Back in 2018, the Mille Lacs Indian Trading Post and Museum even launched an exhibit with photos commemorating the epidemic and the 100th anniversary of the dress and dance. The exhibit, which sheds light on the history of the Jingle Dress and Dance, was developed in partnership with the University of Minnesota Department of American Studies and the Mille Lacs Ojibwe community.
THE POWER OF POWWOWS
“Some of us dance to forget, some of us dance to remember, some of us dance to heal, but whatever the reason, just dance with your heart and your spirit: we see it shine when you dance.” – Willow Abramson
To witness the power of a powwow or wacipi (Dakota, Lakota and Nakota for “dance” and pronounced wa-CHEE-pee) is to be part of a powerful tradition that existed long before white settlers set foot on this soil. It’s a social event where dancers don regalia that includes colorful finery, elaborate featherwork, and intricate beadwork as they perform dances that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Different tribes host powwow celebrations throughout the year, but the Black Hills Powwow—held annually every October in Rapid City—may be the biggest, drawing thousands of dancers and visitors every year. No matter which powwow you attend, you’ll feel the energy as dancers move gracefully to the rhythm provided by traditional drummers and singers. Should the spirits move you, the opportunity to join in the dancing will sometimes appear in the form of an intertribal dance. You can also delve deeper into the culture with foods like Indian tacos, fry bread, and a fruit sauce/ jam called wojapi (pronounced wo-zha-pee).
Annual University of South Dakota (USD) Wacipi
Early April, Vermillion
605-677-6389
Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi Black Hills State University Powwow
Mid April, Spearfish
605-642-6578
Kenel Memorial Day Powwow
Late May, Kenel
701-854-8500 or 701-854-8718
White River Wacipi
Late June, Crawford, NE
308-430-1299
Sisseton Wahpeton Wacipi
Early July, Sisseton
605-698-3911
Flandreau Santee Annual Traditional Powwow
Third weekend in July, Flandreau
605-997-3891 or 605-997-3512
Fort Randall Powwow
First weekend in August, Lake Andes
605-491-0489 or 800-365-6333
Oglala Nation Powwow and Rodeo
First weekend in August, Pine Ridge
605-867-5821
Kul-Wicasa Oyate Fair, Rodeo and Powwow
Second weekend in August, Lower Brule Fair Grounds
605-473-5561
Crow Creek Dakota Nation Wacipi
Third weekend in August, Fort Thompson
605-245-2221
Rosebud Fair, Rodeo and Powwow
Fourth Friday in August, Mission
605-747-2381
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Fair, Rodeo & Powwow
Late August – Early September, Eagle Butte
605-964-4155
Northern Plains Indian Art Market and Powwow
Mid-September, Sioux Falls
605-856-8193
Gathering of the Wakanyeja
Mid-September, St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain
605-734-3475 or 605-734-3300
Black Hills Powwow: He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate
Early October, Rapid City
605-341-0925
Indigenous Peoples Literature 