Rendevous and re-enactment Pow Wows

New2itall · 07-21-2008, 11:39 AM

I was watching our local channel and they were doing an infomercial on our state's parks. They were showing all the places where you can see historical re-enactments including a shot that had tipis and natives in the background dancing in a circle of hay bales. I was wondering what the differences are between Rendezvous and Re-enactment Pow Wows compared to a regular non-competition Pow Wow? Are there differences you would recommend a spectator take into mind when attending?

hobbs49 · 07-21-2008, 12:05 PM

Well for one thing, a lot of the time at these events you have to be very careful. You'll often see NDN's dressed up and playing the part of the rendevour.

j/k

New2itall · 07-21-2008, 12:21 PM

Tee-hee! Hobbs, you sure are on top of things!

**Joe G** · 07-21-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbs49

Well for one thing, a lot of the time at these events you have to be very careful. You'll often see NDN's dressed up and playing the part of the rendevour.

j/k

**Joe G** · 07-21-2008, 12:29 PM

Kaina1128 · 07-21-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2itall

I was watching our local channel and they were doing an infomercial on our state's parks. They were showing all the places where you can see historical re-enactments including a shot that had tipis and natives in the background dancing in a circle of hay bales. I was wondering what the differences are between Rendezvous and Re-enactment Pow Wows compared to a regular non-competition Pow Wow? Are there differences you would recommend a spectator take into mind when attending?

what's a re-enactment powwow?

do you mean exhibition dancing? because there's a pretty obvious contrast between that and a powwow...

New2itall · 07-22-2008, 12:02 PM

This is one of those encampments they do to show what life was back in pioneer days. They show the happy traders and the happy NDNs all living together in harmony and peace. The pioneers are all living in tents, cooking over fires and showing their crafts and wares. In the NDN camp they are living in tipis, dancing and telling stories. Very living history, without any of the bad stuff. Everyone is dressed in "period" clothes and there is a pow wow arena made out of hay bales where they do storytelling for the kids and dancing.
My question if for the new folks coming to this site, that might not know the difference between these re-enactments and competition pow wows. That is why I put it in "spectators." Other than the money and competing, what if any differences are there? Are the folks doing these re-enactments even NDN? Any of you folks out there been to these?

tsuj510 · 07-24-2008, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New2itall

This is one of those encampments they do to show what life was back in pioneer days. They show the happy traders and the happy NDNs all living together in harmony and peace. The pioneers are all living in tents, cooking over fires and showing their crafts and wares. In the NDN camp they are living in tipis, dancing and telling stories. Very living history, without any of the bad stuff. Everyone is dressed in "period" clothes and there is a pow wow arena made out of hay bales where they do storytelling for the kids and dancing.
My question if for the new folks coming to this site, that might not know the difference between these re-enactments and competition pow wows. That is why I put it in "spectators." Other than the money and competing, what if any differences are there? Are the folks doing these re-enactments even NDN? Any of you folks out there been to these?

It sounds like the main difference is that they do things to show how things were....

And we do things to show how they are..

National Geographic had a great article on powwow a few years back and broke it down like that. And those are two totally opposing viewpoints..

hobbs49 · 07-24-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsuj510

It sounds like the main difference is that they do things to show how things were....

And we do things to show how they are..

I think that's a really good way of putting it. When I was a kid I went to a couple of these things and it always struck me as incongruent. The settlers were running around in natural fabrics dyed in natural tones and such and then there were the Fancy Dancers or the straight dancers in their bright colors and such. Something just didn't seem to fit. But if you look at as a history/present type of deal, it makes better sense. Good post tsuj!

New2itall · 07-24-2008, 10:44 AM

Yes! Very well put TSUJ!

tsuj510 · 07-24-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbs49

I think that's a really good way of putting it. When I was a kid I went to a couple of these things and it always struck me as incongruent. The settlers were running around in natural fabrics dyed in natural tones and such and then there were the Fancy Dancers or the straight dancers in their bright colors and such. Something just didn't seem to fit. But if you look at as a history/present type of deal, it makes better sense. Good post tsuj!

Awww, shoot.

WaDo ya'll; like I said though, that article says that, so I should have quoted. My bad. But that has always stuck with me; if I see the magazine around I'll credit the original author.

Czechy · 07-25-2008, 10:17 AM

Even with the rendezvous and re-enactment scene, there are polarities. A tiny handful of folks follow historic detail to the letter and try to be as accurate as they can in educating about life in the 1840s. And then there is the majority who do what I would consider "theme camping" where they gather together for a social good time while dressing in all manner of leather clothes and swigging moonshine from ceramic crocks. Some of the biker crowd show up at these things too.

A couple of things to help you tell the difference between a Native American traditional powwow and a "rendezvous" powwow. First, see how many Natives are in attendance, not just as dancers but also as spectators. Chances are, you'll find more Natives at a Native sponsored event. Next, look at how everyone is dressed. If you see most folks in skimpy black leather, gold leather or purple leather outfits or with a lot of miscellaneous animal furs girded about their loins, you can pretty well figure you are at a rendezvous or biker powwow. Granted, some of the better, more historic-minded rendezvous do have decent powwow dance demonstrations done by actual Natives but these aren't usually full-fledged powwows but more like exhibitions that last only an hour or so.

Kaina1128 · 07-25-2008, 01:28 PM

how do you re-enact something that still takes place? IE: powwows...

07-21-2008, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
New2itall Halito! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 625	Rendevous and re-enactment Pow Wows I was watching our local channel and they were doing an infomercial on our state's parks. They were showing all the places where you can see historical re-enactments including a shot that had tipis and natives in the background dancing in a circle of hay bales. I was wondering what the differences are between Rendezvous and Re-enactment Pow Wows compared to a regular non-competition Pow Wow? Are there differences you would recommend a spectator take into mind when attending?

07-25-2008, 01:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Kaina1128 Rezdude's Chica Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 294 Blog Entries: 3	how do you re-enact something that still takes place? IE: powwows... __________________ www.paysbig.com/powwow Urban Indian Wellness Consortium Nooktoo tsitaapi kainaiwa USAF

07-21-2008, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
hobbs49 Holy Indian Taco Batman! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Triangle Area, NC Posts: 1,175	Well for one thing, a lot of the time at these events you have to be very careful. You'll often see NDN's dressed up and playing the part of the rendevour. j/k

07-21-2008, 12:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
New2itall Halito! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 625	Tee-hee! Hobbs, you sure are on top of things!

07-21-2008, 12:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Joe G ~the REAL me~ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 8,959

07-22-2008, 12:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
New2itall Halito! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 625	This is one of those encampments they do to show what life was back in pioneer days. They show the happy traders and the happy NDNs all living together in harmony and peace. The pioneers are all living in tents, cooking over fires and showing their crafts and wares. In the NDN camp they are living in tipis, dancing and telling stories. Very living history, without any of the bad stuff. Everyone is dressed in "period" clothes and there is a pow wow arena made out of hay bales where they do storytelling for the kids and dancing. My question if for the new folks coming to this site, that might not know the difference between these re-enactments and competition pow wows. That is why I put it in "spectators." Other than the money and competing, what if any differences are there? Are the folks doing these re-enactments even NDN? Any of you folks out there been to these?

07-24-2008, 10:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
New2itall Halito! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 625	Yes! Very well put TSUJ!

07-25-2008, 10:17 AM	#12 (permalink)
Czechy wrapped in ribbonwork! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Here....for now Posts: 784	Even with the rendezvous and re-enactment scene, there are polarities. A tiny handful of folks follow historic detail to the letter and try to be as accurate as they can in educating about life in the 1840s. And then there is the majority who do what I would consider "theme camping" where they gather together for a social good time while dressing in all manner of leather clothes and swigging moonshine from ceramic crocks. Some of the biker crowd show up at these things too. A couple of things to help you tell the difference between a Native American traditional powwow and a "rendezvous" powwow. First, see how many Natives are in attendance, not just as dancers but also as spectators. Chances are, you'll find more Natives at a Native sponsored event. Next, look at how everyone is dressed. If you see most folks in skimpy black leather, gold leather or purple leather outfits or with a lot of miscellaneous animal furs girded about their loins, you can pretty well figure you are at a rendezvous or biker powwow. Granted, some of the better, more historic-minded rendezvous do have decent powwow dance demonstrations done by actual Natives but these aren't usually full-fledged powwows but more like exhibitions that last only an hour or so.

07-25-2008, 04:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
socman Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 84