WhoMe

Anishinabea,

In your case, you were performing a service by filling in. Don't feel bad about not giving anything to the committee.


If anything, the committee AND head man dancer should have given some sort of compensation to you - for filling in!

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

Traditonal Lady

I agree with you WhoMe.

I was asked to fill in as "honorary" head lady when the head man and head lady were preparing for their give away. I was in shock at first, as was the "honorary" head man because we were not prepared. The MC just called out our names and said we would be filling in. The head man and head lady did include us in their give away.

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Walk softly on Mother Earth

NDNQt

I work for the Baltimore American Indian Center and we always pick head dancers each session. I don't know all the reasons (because I am just a paid employee not on the committee) but I do know some of it is financial reasons. They pay each of these dancers at the end of the powwow. They are not expected to have a giveaway. I know some people think that it is wrong to do it this way but that is how we do it. It works out fine, as far I know noone has ever said No they couldn't do it. And actually people say they like it because then everyone can still compete. DOes this make sense???? I know I ramble but I have a migraine so I am not thinking very clearly.

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Becky B.

sookout sh'nob

Just a FYI in case you're ever up our way at a traditional event: This is the host drum's job (we don't have head dancers, just a head drum). At a traditional event, the host drum is always a traditional drum and does duty as the spiritual adviser and arena director. Sometimes he jobs it out to his buddies.

It's rare to see anyone under 50 doing this (unless your at NW Bay, but they're going contemp. over there real fast anyhow.)


It's interesting to me to hear about these differences here. Makes me feel smarter.

Nezbah

Well I can see the points that have been posted here. However, when our MC cancelled 2 days prior to our event, I had to move the AD over to the MC, since he's done it before. Then I had to find a AD on the day off our powwow. I offered him tobaccco and then when he was done, he received the $$$ we had set out to pay the AD anyways. He didn't expect it, but didn't feel right to not compensate someone who filled in and worked hard all day.

Message to committee's: pay out or compensate your headstaff regardless if its someone who had to fill in for someone else. Being headstaff is a demanding job and people will want to participate again if the committee treats the headstaff right. I don't believe if you're picked daily that a giveaway should be expected, there is not enough time. I do agree with others that committee's are being all cheap if they pick the staff per session. I was always taught that if you're chosed to be headstaff, its a honor, but preparedness should be given if that head person wants to do a giveaway or 'special'. Yeah, we tend to sit through special after special but that's how the headstaff is giving back. Plus it gives me and my family time to pee......LOL. That way we won't miss a spotcheck or contest.....

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Meggers_018

I was asked on the spot to be the head lady at a mid-winter gathering we had. It was really kind of frustrating to me, because I've always been taught when asked to do this to have a giveaway, etc. The head of the committee waited until after the gourd dance session was over and I was heading to the locker room to start getting ready. Then he only gave me like 10 minutes to get completely ready. I dunno about anyone else, but it can take me a lot longer than that when I haven't done my hair or anything yet. From now on if I go to any of the powwows they're putting on, just in case I'll be doing my hair and stuff at home before I even leave. The other thing that frustrated me was the head man they picked had NO IDEA what he was doing. During a round dance song, he was looking at me and had a look on his face, like what am I supposed to be doing. Then we did a two-step and he didn't know what it was! I finally went up to the guy who asked me and told the two of them that one of the guys on the drum I was with was willing to lead it with me. I know they do this to save money, it's a small committee, and they don't have a whole lot. I was glad to do it, but I just wish that I could have had a little more time to prepare and someone who knew what they were doing to dance as the head man.

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Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and by my friend.

anishinabealltheway

Sounds like that dude was a newbie. At MSU this year they picked new head dancers on the spot for every session, I thought that was kind of odd.

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Niin sa, Chi anung