How did powwows start?

Of course, Native people from different nations have been getting together to share stories, music and dance for thousands of years - powwows are comparatively recent events.

   What happens at a powwow?

Every powwow is a little bit different, depending on the organizing committee and community sponsoring this event, and the singers and dancers who take part. Generally, there is a central open space for the dancers and singers; surrounding them are a circle of seats for family members, friends, and visitors. Usually before noon, a master of ceremonies announces 'Grand Entry', the official beginning of a powwow; all the dancers in their beautiful outfits enter the dance area as one of the invited drum groups - usually the 'host drum' sings their opening song. Veterans 'post the flags' usually of Canada, the U.S. and specific Native nations, and a prayer or speech by an Elder, usually speaking in a Native language, marks the opening.

After this, what takes place depends on the kind of powwow being held. You're likely to see a mix of "intertribals" (in which everybody is invited to dance) and "competition" or "category" dances featuring the many different dance styles. After a supper break, more dances; the flags are usually taken down at dusk.

   Why do people go ?

Again, you'll hear as many answers to that question as their are dancers and singers. Many people say that going to powwows is like visiting your family - you celebrate with people that share the same interests and values, you celebrate your heritage as Native American people, you share laughter and stories and success together.

As drum leader Jose Marcus says, (Taos Pueblo, now living in Michigan) "Those are my people and they're dancing because they feel good. They want to feel good, they want to be together, they want to be in that circle. I can't tell you enough how proud I am of my people that they can go out there and DANCE!"

   Who are the "First Nations"?

In English, Native communities call themselves Native Americans or the First Nations. In their own languages, Algonquian people in the Great Lakes region call themselves 'Anishnaabek'; Iroquoian communities near the Great Lakes refer to all Native people as 'ongwehonwe', or 'real/first people'.

   What can I eat at a powwow?

You have a lot of choices! There are usually food vendors at every powwow, so you'll find hamburgers, lemonade, french fries, "Indian tacos" (with ground beef and green peppers) and of course, fry bread. There are almost as many different recipes for fry bread as there are dance styles! Usually, it's a biscuit that has been deep fried; you add butter or honey or sugar or meat to suit your taste. Here's a fry bread recipe you can try out at home.

   What happens when an eagle feather falls?

For many western Native nations, an eagle feather is sacred; when one falls off a dancer's outfit, it is said to represent a fallen warrior. Veterans at the powwow are asked to retrieve it in a ceremonially appropriate way. People are asked not to photograph or record this event out of respect to the participants.

   Where would I find a powwow and when do they take place?

Powwows are weekend events, usually celebrated from mid March through early September. A powwow lasts 2 or 3 days, getting underway by mid morning and ending in the evening. During the last 20 years, the number of powwows held across North America has increased dramatically. They're held at arenas, recreation buildings, fair grounds and traditional sites in urban centers or Native reserves, from Florida to California, from British Columbia to New Brunswick - the four corners of Turtle Island.