What is a Native American Pow Wow?

Posted By Paul G July 24th, 2011

Pow Wows are the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones.  

Pow Wows are one of the best ways to experience Native American culture.  At a Pow Wow you can experience dancing, singing, foods, and crafts.

There are several different stories of how the powwow was started. Some believe that the War dance Societies of the Ponca and other Southern Plains Tribes were the origin of the powwow.

Another belief is that when the Native American tribes were forced onto reservations the government also forced them to have dances for the public to come and see. Before each dance, they were lead through the town in a parade, which is the beginning of the Grand Entry.

Powwow singers are very important figures in the pow wow. Without t,hem there would be no dancing. The songs are of many varieties, from religious to war to social.

As various tribes gathered together, they would share their songs, often changing the songs so singers of different tribes could join. With these changes came the use of “vocables” to replace the words of the old songs. Thus, some songs today are sung in “vocables” with no words.

Jeff Miller / University of Wisconsin-Madison

Yet they still hold special meaning to those who know the song. Many songs are still sung in Native American Languages either newly composed or revivals of old songs. These songs are reminders to the Indian people of their old ways and rich heritage.

Dances have always been a very important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dances seen at powwows today are social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changed, their meaning and importance has not. The outfits worn by the dancers, like the styles of clothing today evolve over time, it is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life.

Gathering of Nations

Powwows are organized by committees that work for weeks before the event. At the powwow, the MC runs the events. The MC works with the Arena Director to keep the powwow organized and running smoothly. These two individuals along with the committee work hard to bring the people together to dance and fellowship together in the circle.

The powwow begins with the Grand Entry. This is the entry of all the people entering the arena. This originally was a parade through the town the powwow was in. Even today in some powwows, these parades are still held. During the Grand Entry, everyone is asked to stand as the flags are brought into the arena. The flags carried generally include the U.S. Flag, Tribal Flags, the POW Flag, and Eagle Staffs of various Native Nations present. These are usually carried by veterans. Native Americans hold the United States Flag in an honored position despite the horrible treatment received from this country. The flag has a dual meaning. First, it is a way to remember all of the ancestors that fought against this country. It is also the symbol of the United States which Native Americans are now a part. The flag here also reminds people of those people who have fought for this country.

Following the veterans are other important guests of the powwow including Tribal Chiefs, Princesses, Elders, and powwow organizers. Next in line are the men dancers. The men are followed by the women dancers. Once everyone is in the arena, the song ends and a song is sung to honor the flags and the veterans. After a prayer, the dancing resumes, usually with a few round dances. After the round dances, intertribal dancing songs are sung and everyone dances to the beat of the drum.

Learn more about Native American Pow Wows on our site.

Find a Pow Wow in your state or province!

Pow Wow Information

Explore Native Culture

What is a Pow Wow?

Watch Pow Wows Live

Research My Native American Heritage

Attend a Pow Wow

Pow Wows In Your State

Learn to Make a Craft

Native American Info for School

Listen to Native Music



Comments

26 thoughts on “What is a Native American Pow Wow?”

  1. john wilde says:

    I am most likely going to get a lot of grief for this , but I am a white man and feel that it is a very dishonorable thing that the white man has done to the Native Americans . I probably am not using proper terminology in what I say , but I like many others have been misled about many things in history throughout the world but we all can benefit if we all stopped and listened to our elders and each other and try to help each other learn and know the truth about ourselves as human beings and that is we are all not sure of what we are told and that is why we must always be alert and aware of what others want us to believe. Enough with the bickering and move forward , remember the past do not live in it . Live for the future. live for peace for us all.

  2. Vanessa Colon says:

    I always felt envious of the people who receive NATIVE AMERICAN NAMES for the mere fact that IM 100%,FULL-BLOODED CHOCTAW-♡. And only name given to me is my birth nameVANESSA♡♡.
    SO whatever name that you was given honor it and cherish it,you are lucky to have such an honor.♡

  3. Patricia Ann Sterling says:

    Thank you very much for creating this website. I think its wonderful to have some information out there to share with others so that we can educate others on what it means to be Native American. I belong to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. I will be receiving my name on July 23, 2018 and I am very excited about this experience. I know you site will be a huge success and I appreciate that information can be shared in a respectful manner.

    Sincerely,

    Patricia Ann Sterling

  4. Susan Coyle says:

    My husband is possibly 1/4 American
    Indian however we are not sure from which tribe my husband’s grandmother was full American Indian. We have names and dates of birth and death for her sisters.
    Where would be the best place to search his American Indian heritage.
    Thank you very much in advance for your assistance.

  5. Ellen potter says:

    I was 5 or 6, my parents took our family to South Dakota. At a Fort we danced with Indians and then were given Indian Names. At least thats what they said they were. Yet if the Sioux didn’t have Princess Names I guess I was fooled to. My Name is Princess White Buffalo.

    • Paul G says:

      Thanks for writing. The site was created and is owned by myself = Paul Gowder. I am part Native. I am very proud that the staff of this site is made up of several writers and contributors from several different tribes. If you would like to know more, please email me [email protected].

    • Nana Dyer says:

      Where did you get your information? They lied! Like most history books! I’m a princess!

  10. Amy says:

    I love Indian culture and pow wows are awesome I’ve always wanted to meet real Indians and become friends with them I love their clothing their music and their dancing

    • Samantha says:

      Amy,

      If you love Indian culture you may want to seek another website. This is a page about Native American Culture, which is not the same as the culture shared by people who are from India.

      Native Americans are not Indians. If you love the culture you will learn and respect that fact.

      • Nana Dyer says:

        Thank you for your directness! How ignorant can one be? Amy sounds like she was looking for a pet! Like she was from another planet and she’s an alien! Poor Amy!

        • tfrank says:

          When making a choice between being right and being kind, always choose kind. Sometimes your snarky thoughts do not need to be articulated.

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