Originally Posted by Coyot_In_The_House

I'm a Cultural Educator and I always see the plus in people getting "Edjamacated" Although there is a time and place for this....Not necessarily at a Powwow.....As you have stated Powwows vary and yes some Dances do not depend on the "outside" influence to make the proverbial "boat float". I can see people attending a Powwow for a number of different reasons, ayyy. Tourists and people who are not very familiar with particulars can possibly not "fit in" or even be seen as intrusive in some communities.....Granted you probably don't want 4 bus loads of folks showing up at the creek with cameras just a blazing and people poking and prodding.....Normally the Dances based in our communities are just that.... for our community.....Now that's not to say some skins don't want the 4 bus loads to pop up, it varies....
From what i've seen State Tourism Boards will place a Powwow on it's Calander if that particular Tribe or organization requests it. So I guess that's were it makes the difference?

Now if I can I would like to throw my usual curveball here.....It really urks me from time to time when folks comment on this board as well as wherever..... that powwows are not Tradish, or Cultural or on and on......Well I think it's a crock.....Yes we all have our own doings at home and I can certainly respect that, but for the short 20 some odd years I've been singing I can say without hesitation Powwow is indeed a way of Life.....

Good Thread Who Me....It's folks like you who make this place interesting!

Sgi