• Yes - Pow Wows in general are open to the public.
• Yes - Women and children are welcome.
• No - It is not scary.
• No - There is no violence.
• No - There are no sacrifices or bloodletting!
• No - There are no drunken "Indians whooping it up".

• Rodeos featuring Native contestants. There is a "Navajo Nation Rodeo Cowboys' Association", an "All-Indian Rodeo Cowboys' Association", and an "All Indian Rodeo Association of Oklahoma", among others.
• Mountain Man camps featuring demonstrations of blacksmithing, carpentry, tool making, gunsmithing and other skills of the 18th and 19th centuries. The men and women who take part in these exhibits dress in authentic clothing of the era they are portraying. It's quite an educational step backward in time; especially for children of all ages.
• Competitions and games which include Native-style horse racing, stickball, la crosse, foot races, bow and arrow competitions, and other ancient fun events.
• Storytellers who share timeless Native myths and legends with all interested people.
• Demonstrations and classes on beadwork, hide tanning, cooking, finger weaving, and the making of Native crafts.
• Carnival rides, clowns and other amusements for children.

Top

It is important that we remember our geography, and realize that The Americas stretch from the Sub-Artic to the tip of South America, and that "America" is far more than just "The United States of America." All of America is the home of the Native American, and a Pow Wow is one event where you may see Natives from North, Central and South America gathered in one place with a common purpose - the celebration of their heritage.
 

There are national and regional Pow Wow Calendars which are published independently. Native newspapers and magazines usually publish Pow Wow schedules. The Web and Native newsgroups are also sources of information on Pow Wows, and if you don't see anything near you, post the question. Everyone on the network will be happy to give you information.

Sometimes Pow Wows are advertised in main stream newspapers, but not often. Pow Wows are very expensive to put on since the grounds are usually rented, insurance is a must, and the Pow Wow officials, head dancers and host drums must be paid. All of this is in addition to the prize money awarded to the winning dancers in each category. Advertising is viewed as an unnecessary added expense for most. However, the public relations person at any newspaper should have information on hand for the area of its readership.

If you want to catch a Pow Wow while on vacation, call the Travel and Tourism Bureau in the State Capitol of each state you'll be passing through, and check the Internet sources mentioned above. Almost every state, without exception, has at least one major Pow Wow during the year.

A complete listing of Pow Wows and gatherings in the U.S. and Canada could, and does, fill a book. I highly recommend the annual Pow Wow Calendar as the most complete guidebook to Native events available. Call 1-800-695-2241 for information.

Once you find your first Pow Wow, you're home free. Flyers are always at the announcer's booth, and in many vendor booths. However, no matter where you get Pow Wow scheduling information, be sure to verify the dates and locations before making the trip. Many things can happen to cause a Pow Wow to change its location and/or dates, so be wise and make sure your information is still accurate.

Decide what type of Pow Wow you want to see before you make the call. If you want to visit a traditional gathering that does not have competition, or prefer to experience the excitement of competition dancing, both are available. When you call to confirm dates, location, camping, etc., ask if it is a competition event or not. No one will mind the questions.
 

The best time to go to a Pow Wow is around 3 P.M. on Saturday, and plan to stay late. By then, the competition will be in full swing and you will see the most outstanding dancers. There is a supper break in the late afternoon/early evening which will give you time to shop at the vendor booths circling the arena. You will also get to see the second Grand Entry which is usually shortly after the break, and which signals the beginning of the night session.

Pow Wows are held inside in parts of the country where weather is tricky. It is also getting more and more popular to have Pow Wows on church grounds, at college campuses, and various other locations in cities. The primary considerations in deciding whether or not to have a gathering in or near a city are cost of the location, insurance, a large enough area for the arena and surrounding booths, sufficient parking to handle the crowds, and a spot where the traffic, noise and late hours will not create a problem with the neighborhood residents. If there is mutual cooperation on all sides, Pow Wows in cities can be excellent events.

However, most Pow Wows are held in the country away from the conveniences we all take for granted. Many of the Pow Wow grounds are dry, which means what it says: there is no water. These tips will help you to get the most pleasure from your experience, and passes along things I have learned from just being there, and "doing it".

1. If you're in a hurry, don't go. When you enter the grounds (sometimes called "stomp" grounds), you're on "Indian time". Forget clocks, time and schedules. Be in the moment in every sense of the word.
2. Take water, water and more water; some to drink yourself, some to share with someone who may not have any, and some to keep yourself cool. Take an old rag or washcloth in a container with a small amount of water to keep it wet so you can wipe your hands and face. Be aware of your body temperature, and don't get overheated. I have seen people very ill from heat exhaustion because they were not properly prepared. This is an unnecessary risk to take, and now you will know how to avoid the problem.
3. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not bind. Be conservative. A Pow Wow is really not the appropriate place to wear your skimpiest mini-skirt, or the shortest shorts you own, or your scanty Bikini top.
4. Remember that you're going to be walking on uneven ground that is dusty. You're also going to be weaving your way through crowds of people. Wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers that give your feet some support, and that will protect your toes if you're stepped on.
5. Be sure your children are dressed the same way. Cute sunsuits lead to terrible sunburns, and little sandals invite bruised toes, twisted ankles and rock bruises. Take a hat to protect their head and face when the sun gets high. If your child is a toddler or younger, take the stroller. Be sure children know where the announcer's booth is. If you should get separated, tell them to go to the announcer and ask him to call you over the loudspeaker system. Don't panic — you just can't see them.
6. Take folding beach chairs to sit on and, if you have an umbrella you can attach to the chair, wonderful. There is little to no natural shade around the arena, and you will welcome that umbrella. Stake out your spot outside the hay bales or arena markers and plant your chair. Be aware of the reserved areas we will discuss in "Protocol" to come. Don't be rude and sit in someone else's chair, or in a spot that is marked with someone else's belongings.
7. Take a hat for yourself, and sunscreen for everyone. There is often little shelter, and the sun can be merciless. The temperatures can get extreme. Now, don't wimp out. Look at what the dancers are wearing, and the heat they're dancing in. They don't have summer light regalia!!
8. Take toilet paper. Yes, I'm serious. There are portable toilets on the grounds, but if there is a large crowd, the toilet paper won't last long. Find the portables early so that, when the need arises, you'll know where they are. If the crowd is a large one, you know there'll be lines. Be sure you give yourself enough time to make it.
9. Take sweaters for everyone, and a flashlight. Once the sun goes down, it gets cool and, after the heat of the day, it's easy to catch a chill. Just be properly prepared. It also gets very dark because most of the light comes from portable lighting in the immediate vicinity of the arena and the vendor booths. A good flashlight will keep you from stepping in holes, or tripping, or otherwise stumbling around.
10. If you're on a special diet, or will only eat a particular kind of food, take it with you. There are food vendors who sell a variety of food which is cooked fresh on the spot. This is the place to try an Indian Taco, or Indian Fry Bread, or any of the other Native foods offered. It is all wonderful, but not for special diets. A cooler with your own food and soft drinks will ease your mind.
11. If you take your pet, be sure it stays on a leash or, if you take a bird, tether it. Many vendors and Pow Wow participants travel with large dogs, most of them wolf hybrids, both for their personal safety and to protect the many valuable things they carry. You don't want your pet involved in a confrontation! Also, if you take your pet, be considerate of others and take your pooper scooper as well to clean up any messes it may make.
12. Some Pow Wows have camp grounds, space for RV and trailer hook-ups, and cooking pits. This is the perfect opportunity to take your motor home or camper or any other type of RV that's on wheels. The promotional flyers usually mention whether or not camping is permitted. If they don't, call the number given and ask. It is common for tents to be pitched around the grounds, but the earth may not be solid enough for a motor home. Don't assume ——Ask before you go.
13. If you plan to stay overnight in a motel, be wise and plan ahead. The nearest town may be miles away, and their accommodations may be very limited. Rooms will be scarce because of people coming into the area for the event, both participants and visitors. If you are not familiar with the surroundings, call the nearest Chamber of Commerce, or get yourself a motel directory, and find out for sure what's available.


Make Reservations!!

Top

1. Under No Circumstances Is Alcohol Or Drugs Allowed On Pow Wow Grounds. Alcohol is the greatest curse ever visited on the Native American, and it will not be tolerated. If you come to a Pow Wow drunk, or you bring alcohol or drugs with you, you will be escorted out by tribal security. If you can't stay sober for a few hours, then you're in the wrong place.
2. The area for dancing and ceremonies is called the arena, and its boundaries are usually marked by hay bales set in a circle. There is a sheltered area which can either be in the form of an arbor, or simply a canopy, which designates a resting place for the elders, the dancers and singers, and the Pow Wow officials. Take care not to sit in these places, which are easy to spot if you pay attention. There will be chairs, articles of clothing, and other personal belongings in plain sight.
3. It is common to see tipis and lodges set up on the grounds. These Are Not Open To The Public. Pow Wow participants live in the tipis during the gathering and they are, in fact, their homes for the duration. Respect their privacy. Tipis and other structures set up for classes and demonstrations will be clearly marked. If a map or guide to the area is offered, it would be a good idea to get one.
4. Once the dance arena has been blessed with sage and prayer, it becomes spiritual ground. Do not walk across the arena, and don't allow your children to run into the arena. You will be chastised by the announcer or other Pow Wow official. I can think of no safer place for children than a Pow Wow, but that should not be a signal for them to run wild and be disrespectful.
5. Don't Take Pictures At Random - Either Still Shots Or Video. Some large Pow Wows require that you register your camera, and will put a number on it. The announcer will tell the audience when pictures are permitted. Pay Attention. I have seen cameras confiscated and film destroyed because people did not listen, and did not take instructions seriously. If there is a particular dance you want to photograph, Ask Permission Of The Announcer. If he says no, give it up. Some dances are sacred, and are never to be photographed. If you see a dancer who is especially striking, ask if you may take a picture After He Or She Leaves The Arena. It would be a courtesy to take his or her name and address and send a print of the photo. Human kindness and consideration are always long remembered, and deeply appreciated.


Protocol for pictures is different depending upon the part of the country you're in, and the customs of the Pow Wow Committee. If you see videos being taken, and professional looking camera crews, chances are they represent a Native organization which sells Pow Wow videos, or newspaper and magazine photographers who have gotten permission and clearance before the event. Be wise, and be cautious - ask first.

6. A dancer's clothing is Regalia - not a costume - and is a prized possession. Some regalia has been handed down through the generations, and is priceless. When a dancer decides to "come out" in a particular style, the regalia reflects the spirit and customs of the people being honored. This is no small decision, and a "coming out" ceremony for a new dancer is cause for a great celebration. The regalia is handmade, usually by the dancer, friends and family, and every article has special meaning. It takes years to collect the items until the regalia is complete, and this involves no small expense. Do Not Ever Touch A Dancer's Regalia without permission. The regalia is an expression of spirit, and has been prayed over and blessed. Honor it, the person wearing it, and the living history it represents.
7. Finally, put aside the Hollywood image of what an "Indian" looks like. Natives come in all sizes, shapes and colors. From the milky skinned blue-eyed blond and the green-eyed redhead to the dark brown and black, they are all Native in their heritage, blood and heart. Some are tall and stately; some are short and stocky. Some have long, angular faces; some have round faces; some have round eyes; some have almond shaped eyes, and some have a definite Oriental slant to their eyes. As you learn, and become more knowledgable of Native history and anthropology, you will become aware that these physical characteristics are a clear indication of the lineage of that person's heritage. Do not be so insensitive as to ask someone if they are "Indian", or "how much Indian are you, anyway"? Would you ask a native of Japan "how much Japanese are you, anyway"? Don't scoff! It's happened to me.

Natives are, and were, master traders. There was trade between tribes of the same Nation, as well as between Nations. Native peoples honored each other's talents and did not copy the crafts and art work from other regions. Instead, things made by other tribes of other cultures became prized items for trade.

Honorable traders from Europe opened the trade routes even further, and some set up permanent trading posts in the apparent middle of nowhere. However, it was widely known that what appeared to be the middle of nowhere was actually the middle of a trading route traveled by Natives and traders alike. It became usual to find a Zuni bowl in Minnesota, an Apaloosa horse in Mississippi, or Chumash shell work in Wyoming.

This tradition is still alive today, and every Pow Wow has traders who have bought items from Natives in various parts of the country, and usually from reservations. You can find Eskimo scrimshaw, Kachinas, hides, fur pelts, beads, Navajo rugs, and all sorts of treasures if you pause to look at the wares offered by the traders. You can buy a finished product or, if you're talented with your fingers and long on patience, the materials to make your own treasures.

There are also traders who sell something called "Dead Pawn". They have pegboards and glass counters loaded with magnificent jewelry, belts, and everything you can imagine. It is all handmade, it is usually silver with turquoise and coral, or it is finely worked leather. When I first encountered these traders, it bothered me a lot that families were forced to give up their prized possessions. Then I learned the interesting history of pawning and its place in the Native culture.

When the Southwest was first being settled, the early non-Native businesses were the traders. The large traders had "lending corners" where money could be borrowed with the more elaborate craft items left for security. This was the first step toward banking institutions long before there were actual banks established in these areas. These traders provided the only source of quick money Natives had. When they could afford to buy back their possessions, they did.

Many times, however, the owner decided he didn't want it after all, or he had made something he liked better, or the owner passed away, or many other reasons which left their beautiful work unclaimed. This led to quite an accumulation of what is known as "dead pawn", and some traders take it to large Pow Wows for sale there.

There are also vendors who sell art, music, books, clothing, and all manner of handcrafted items. Most make their own crafts, and you can watch them at work in their booths. If you're attracted to something, ask what it is and its purpose. You don't want to buy a fertility fetish for your 75 year old Aunt May!

Many vendors and traders make their living on the Pow Wow Trail, and it is an expensive proposition. Not only must they buy the materials to make their crafts, they must pay booth fees, travel costs and their living expenses on the road. It is important that they sell their creations, so you will find fair and competitive pricing. As a general rule, prices are far better, and value far greater, than you can find in retail outlets which sell Native goods.

Don't be concerned about the authenticity of the items displayed for sale. Pow Wow committees know the vendors, many of whom either travel The Trail or do the same event year after year. The committees and promoters are very strict about the quality, variety and authenticity of the goods sold.

If you have children with you, and plan to visit the shopping area, PLEASE keep the children under control, or put them safely by the arena, or leave them with a member of your party who may not be shopping. An unruly and careless child can cause much destruction and expense for a vendor. Also, the booth spaces are small, usually no bigger than 10 x 10 unless it is a double booth. This is a tight squeeze for all that is being displayed for sale. Be very watchful of large, bulky bags and backpacks. They can be as destructive as a child.

Most vendors don't accept credit cards, and some have been burned by bouncing checks. Cash works so, if you plan to buy, it would be a good idea to be prepared.
 

Innerspace Main Page

Modifications and Maintenance by Wicked Imaging

E-Mail to Julia