Wojapi4Me

What's the big deal with some pow wows not allowing pictures or video during grand entry? Most of the ones I've been at that announced this were hokey-fests anyways so maybe that explains it. Just curious.

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If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

Kakeeya

Never heard of it either..... You're probably right though, they must be hokey fests.

WocusWoman

Not sure, but it may be a regional thing. All the ones I've attended in the Northwest, and Alaska they've used this rule. Maybe it has something to do with the smudging and prayers that go on prior to the dancers entering the dance arena... I need to ask an elder; maybe my uncle for a more direct answer on this.

Kakeeya

I'm in the Northwest and have never seen it before. I go to a lot of powwows too besides the NW. Usually the only time I see the no pictures rule is for feather pick up songs, prayers and whistles on a drum. The Grand entry is photographed quite a bit but I imagine if you wanted to use the pic for anything, you would have to ask the dancers that are pictured and possibly the pw committee.

Mato Winyan

Never heard that either! Usually they announce that they MAY be taken then but to put them away during the flag and vet songs. :dontknow: So many rules.. so little time! ;)

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"We see it as a desecration not only of a mountain but of our way of life. This is a genocidal issue to us. If they kill this mountain, they kill our way of life." ~Debra White Plume

Mato Winyan

That maybe your first clue.. I have always been taught that is not done publicly.. you do it at camp or wherever if you are going to do it. Only ones I see that are smudge freaks are the hookies and yahoos.

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"We see it as a desecration not only of a mountain but of our way of life. This is a genocidal issue to us. If they kill this mountain, they kill our way of life." ~Debra White Plume

White Powwow Dancer

Hi
I gone to powwows the MC Called for pictures be taken and tape rolling for Grand Entry. no rule here.

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Asema Is Sacred
Traditional Use, Not Misuse
Wakan Tanka please have compassion on me.
OK Niji we are running a train with red over yellow at this powwow.

crazydazy

I have been to pow wows in central canada where the MC asks that there me no hats, no photography and no recordings during the Grand Entry. At least one of these Pow wos is fairly big and has been taking place for the last 30 years or so. It is not a hockery and it is not New Age and it is not for Hoobiests. I guess it has to do with where you are but I don't think that it is safe to say it should be one way or another or to say that one way is better then another way. those who do it hae their reasons and it is not for anyone else to say that that way is wrong. I think that it might also have something to do with not only any ceremony that might be takling place but perhaps (and I don't know this) it has something to do with letting the dancers and drummers etc. have one portion to the pow wow that is not treated like a tourist attraction. I don't know but I assure you that there are legitimate pow wows where it is forbidden

Wojapi4Me

But, the grand entry is for the tourists. It comes from rodeos and is neither traditional nor sacred. As to the argument of, "others have their ways and one way is not right or wrong"...that's all fine and good, but what is the reason? Why stand for grand entry, but not for intertribals?
Why stand for grand entry, but not for contests?
What's the difference?

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If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

WhoMe

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Singer,

The reason for standing is in respect to the colors/eagle staff and veterans who carry in the colors. During this time it is common for emcees to also ask that everybody remove their hats. Once the colors are posted, everybody sits down. (*L I think you already know this)!

But you're right about the grand entry thing. It's as new as intertribal powwows. What I think is ironic is 150 years ago, when American Indian people saw the American Flag coming, it symbolized death and destruction. Now we honor this same flag! Hmmmm?

Taking pictures during grand entrys has to do with how some people perceive the powwow to have "sacred elements" associated with it. While others perceive the powwow as a social event and allow photographs.

I have taken pictures of the grand entry at Denver March, Schemitzun, the Gathering and many powwows across Canada. It's no big deal unless individuals make it one.

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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

crazydazy

i guess the post above has said why people stand. This issue is not for me to say one way or another. I am only going by what I have seen. I am not saying it is wrong or it is right. But with that said I think it has more ot do with whay "individuals" make it because Pow wows are put on by groups of people. anyway the only point that I am trying to make is that there is obviously a difference of opinion and out of respect one should not assume that if it is ok to take picture at one pow wow that it may not be ok to take them at the next. Thats all i was saying.

Kiwehnzii

[quote=Singerdad]As to the argument of, "others have their ways and one way is not right or wrong"...that's all fine and good, but what is the reason? QUOTE]

Grand entry is the most sacred part of the powwow. A time when the dancers are most vunerable. They are thinking of only one thing. Dancing hard "for the people". They let their guard down. Taking pictures as we all know can rob our spirits from our bodies. Imagine, 300-400 spirits all leaving the arena at once! It would be chaos! Soooo......... don't take pictures, man. :rofl2: :mocking: :26:

Kakeeya

[quote=Kiwehnzii]Geeeez how can you argue with that reasoning?????? j/k

Kiwehnzii

I jus figured Singerdad was seeking a response like this, so........ I'm jus doin' my part. lol