Volunteers/Audience Roles*
PAY ATTENTION AND LISTEN. The MC (master of ceremonies) can be
heard via the sound system. He is coordinating the powwow and advises the
visitors of additional protocol. He will give all of the information you need, as
well as entertain you and keep you posted on news. Any questions you have
can be answered by him (or the BYU powwow committee leaders).
USE COURTESY AND RESPECT WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING. The
majority of powwows are public events and taking pictures of the dancers
during inter-tribal or during dance competition is usually acceptable. The MC
will let you know when it will be absolutely not acceptable to take photographs:
such as an eagle feather pick up, whistle blowing or family memorials.
However, if you want a dancer to pose for you, always introduce yourself and
ask permission. If you are a professional photographer or artist and feel you
may use the image in the future for a commercial project, tell the dancer. Make
sure it is OK with him or her and the safest bet is to ask if they will sign a
model's release. Even if the photos are only for your personal use and not
commercial, offer to send the dancer copies. They are usually happy to give
you a mailing address so that you may send them photos.
DO NOT ENTER THE DANCE ARENA AFTER IT HAS BEEN
BLESSED. At the beginning of the powwow festivities, the Dance Arena is
blessed. Walking or running into the Arena is prohibited. The only time guests
may enter the Arena is to participate during Intertribal Dances, Round Dances,
Blanket Dances or during an Honoring dance that the MC may announce. Don't
cut across the Arena just to get to the other side! Care and respect of the
sacred circle extends, not only to respecting the arena, sacred objects and
other dancers, but to the whole atmosphere, the ground themselves, mother
earth.
STAND DURING SPECIAL SONGS. The MC will announce the beginning
of Grand Entry and will ask everyone to stand. The Eagle Staff and American
Flag will be brought into the dancer arena and you should remain standing
during the Flag Song and the Invocation. The same is asked during the
Veterans Songs, Flag Songs, Memorial Songs, Prayer Songs, Closing Songs,
and any other song the M.C. designates. Men should remove their hats during
these times.
HEAD STAFF. The Head Man and Woman are dancers chosen by those
hosting the powwow. The Head Man and Head Woman begin many of the
dances—almost all the intertribal dances. Being chosen is in honor of them
and an honor for them. It is polite to shake their hands when intertribals begin.
Other Head Staff include the M.C., the Arena Director, and the Head Judge.
DANCES. Competitors and performers take part in the opening and closing
ceremonies. Intertribals are open to everybody, with or without regalia. Other
dances open to everyone are “two-step” dances—like Ladies’ Choice, Hat
Dances, and Shawl Dances.
RESPECT EVERYONE, NON-NATIVE AND NATIVE, ESPECIALLY
ELDERS. Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Look out for the
children. Treat others as you would expect to be treated. Elders are also given
a place of honor, the best seats in the house. Permission should always be
sought when photographing Elders.
FINALLY, HAVE A GOOD TIME! Above anything else, powwows are
social events. A time to see old friends and meet new ones. Don't be afraid to
ask questions and engage in conversation with vendors, dancers, singers and
other powwow participants. Enjoy yourself!
About the Dancers
NEVER REFER TO A DANCER'S REGALIA AS A COSTUME. A
dancer's regalia may also be called their outfit. These beautifully handcrafted
This information is taken from three websites: library.thinkquest.org/3081/rules.htm,
www.powwow-power.com/powwowetiquette.html, and www.ammsa.com/guide/GIC00etiquette.html.
*
outfits are not costumes! Much thought, time, energy and expense goes into
the making of each outfit. Often pieces of the regalia are family heirlooms.
Regalia is created by the dancer or by a respected family member or friend.
The feathers in particular are sacred and highly valued and cared for.
Sometimes years have gone into the final completion of a dancer's regalia. If a
dancer drops part of their regalia, they are not supposed to pick it up. They
dance beside it until the Arena director picks it up for them.
NEVER TOUCH A DANCER'S REGALIA. Again, respect, respect,
respect! If you feel the need to touch, always ask permission, and be gentle
and considerate. Respect the personal space of dancers as you should for
anyone.
EAGLE FEATHERS. Eagle feathers, which traditionally are earned, and all
feathers, for that matter, should be treated with special care. It's necessary to
be humble and respectful to each feather being worn. The spirits of all animals
being worn must be respected above all else. When an Eagle feather is
dropped, the powwow is stopped and a ceremony is performed to pick it up.
DANCERS ARE ROLE MODELS. When they put on their regalia, they take
on the essence of the sacred animal, honor culture, tradition and the Creator.
"Being humble should be the number one priority for any dancer, thankful that
you are allowed to dance with the animals you wear, your sweat and suffering
are for the people, making people proud of who you are, showing your respect,
because you represent them," said Elder Antoine Littlewolf.
INTERESTING TIDBIT. Powwow etiquette and tradition dictates that the
Grass dancers be the first to enter the arena, symbolically stomping down the
grass to provide a flattened circle for the rest of the dancers to follow. They
enter the arena from the south entrance and go clockwise with the drum,
following the wheeling movement of the sun, moon and stars.
About the Drums
In the old days, dancers would move around the drum. Today, to facilitate large
crowds and numerous drum groups, the singers have been placed around the
perimeter of the dancing arena, close to the stands.
NEVER RECORD A DRUM WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE HEAD
SINGER. Ask to tape songs. The MC may also announce that no recording or
photographs take place during certain songs. Frequently people do stand
around drums and tape without permission without any consequences. But it
shows respect and consideration to ask permission first.
INTERESTING TIDBIT. Ladies are not allowed to sit in the first row of a
drum. They may not strike the drum, but are allowed to sing, sitting behind their
husband or the man who asked her to sing.
Giveaways
Since the days before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans have had a
sense of generosity that is unique among all cultures. Since that time, this
generosity has developed into the giveaway, a ceremony where a person,
family or organization is honored and in return gives away many gifts to their
friends and the staff of powwows.
This begins with a special song sung by the drum for the particular person or
people honored, usually a family song that was composed for that family. The
person or people and their friends then slowly dance around the circle, and
people in attendance who feel so moved are allowed to give the people a small
gift and then join the "procession." This will usually continue for about one or
two songs, when the dance will end and the people return to their seats.
The person or people honored will go to the Emcee's table and have a person
speak for them, who tells about the honored party and then announces the
names of people whom they in turn would like to show their appreciation to.
When a person's name is called, he or she stands and walks around the arena
to the Emcee's table and receives a gift, which is often a very nice Pendleton
blanket or a food basket of some sort. It is always customary in a giveaway to
always honor the head staff and the drum, and then honor those who have
helped you. All in all, a give away can last from twenty to forty minutes.