Have you ever been to a powwow? Every weekend throughout the spring and summer, powwows are held in Native American community halls, campgrounds, cultural centers and traditional grounds across North America. Families travel together, driving across the state or even across country to participate. Powwows aren't part of every Native community's tradition, but in the Great Lakes region , they've become part of Native American popular culture, an "intertribal" celebration of music, dance, friendship and heritage.

Months and sometimes years in advance, powwow organizing committees begin careful preparations for these events, choosing the head drum groups and head men and women dancers, the master of ceremonies, arranging to feed all the dancers and singers, raising prize money, and preparing the powwow grounds. Every powwow is shaped the experience and heritage of the committee members.

Grand Entry marks the official beginning of every powwow. The dancers line up behind the 'head dancers' and 'head veterans', flag carriers and delegates from different nations, all entering the dance arena as drum groups sing traditional 'grand entry' songs. The beat of the large drum echoes like a heartbeat throughout the crowd, as the dancers enter - first the Men's Traditional, Grass and Fancy dancers, then Women's Traditional, Jingle and Fancy Shawl dancers, then children.

Flags for participating countries and Native nations are raised during a "Flag Song", followed by a victory song celebrating the strength and perserverance of Native communities. A thanksgiving or welcoming address spoken by a respected Elder greets the dancers and visitors. For more information about Grand Entry, CLICK HERE

Master of Ceremonies table surrounded by flags
Ann Arbor Powwow, Michigan

A drum is the heartbeat not only of a powwow, but of all the First Nations. Among Ojibwe nations, it is explained that the Creator's first thoughts, represented by a shimmering sound, were answered by this heartbeat that came from the earth as it was being formed.

The powwow drum has a wooden frame and 'head' made from stretched cow hide or other leather; some drums are suspended from four wooden staves, others rest on blankets. Most are decorated with colors representing the four directions; some also have the name of the drum group. Before singing, many drummers place tobacco on the drum head as a thanksgiving for the Creator. To listen to powwow singers and for more information about powwow drums and music, CLICK HERE.

Throughout the afternoon and evening at a competition powwow, you'll see "intertribals," when people of different nations (often including non-Native people) are invited to dance; honor songs, giveaways or blanket dances requested by families to commemorate personal milestones, to recognize and thank others at the powwow, or to raise funds; and of course, contest dancing!

For the competitions, dancers are grouped into six categories based on their age, gender and dance style. They are judged on their ability, their outfits (or 'regalia') and their knowledge of the songs - you have to stop dancing on the exact last beat of a song.

Every category has a specific dance step and outfit. For more information about these categories' outfits CLICK HERE!

There is so much going on at a powwow. You get together with
family and friends, watch or take part in the dancing, eat some frybread and try out the Indian Tacos, find beadwork and other items for your powwow outfit, or perhaps see a horseshoe toss or baseball game.

The flags raised at Grand Entry are retired for the evening; sometimes the competitions continue well into the night. All the judging is completed by evening the next day, as families pack up and head for home.