Native NorthAmerican Indian

                     Pow Wow's

If you plan to visit Eastern Canada this summer you won't want to miss these Free events, that are open to all Nationalities.There is even a special dance for visitors to join the dance,so come feel the Heartbeat of Mother Earth in our drums. 

 These events are usually held from noon until the Closing Cerimonies at dusk, Friday to Sunday from June until September here in the Maritimes.

Here is a list of the ones we go to ;

Remember, the dates change a little from yr. to yr. ( eg. the 4th to the 2nd or 6th the next )but it is always the same weekend each year.

June..1st weekend...Pictou Landing NS
        2nd weekend..Afton NS
        3rd weekend..St.Mary's...Frederickton.NB
        4th weekend..Red Bank..Mirimishi NB
July..1st weekend..Conne river NFLD
        2nd weekend...Pabineau Falls...Bathurst NB
        3rd weekend...Eel Ground....Mirimishi NB
        4th weekend..Listuguj...Quebec/NB bridge
August..1st weekend..Lennox Island..PEI
            2nd weekend..Millbrook..TruroNS
            3rd weekend...Pamure Island..PEI
            4th weekend..Big Cove...Mirimishi NB

There are many more in the eastern provinces that I do not have the info on right now,I'll keep trying. If you go to one of these pow wow' s the mc or committee will know where the next few are and so on....

 G.Littlepaw..
Artist & Women's Traditional Dancer & Pow Wow Vendor..

History of the Pow Wow
The word Pow Wow, or pau wau, means a gathering of people coming together to trade. Explorers misinterpreted the ceremony of medicine men dancing, thinking all natives gathered to sing and dance in this manner.
The modern day Pow Wow evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed during the early 1800's. The dances were an opportunity for the warriors to re-inact their brave deeds for all the members of the tribe to witness.

The growth of reservations gave rise to the modern Pow Wow, This was a time of transition for the Native people across North America. Tribal customs and religions were outlawed. The Grass Dance was one of the few celebrations that was allowed into this new era. The Grass Dance became an opportunity to maintain some of the earlier tribal customs that were vanishing. As other communities and tribes were invited to these celebrations, rights of ownership of sacred items necessary to the Grass Dance were formally transferred from one tribe to the another.
"Inter-tribalism" began to emerge with the sharing of these songs and dances.
Gift-giving and generosity were integral aspects of these early festivities, as they still are today.

The tradition of the First Nations dance is ancient. Originally, some dances were performed before the warriors left the tribe to hunt, raid, or do battle. While the men were away, the ladies would prepare their best buckskin dresses and accessories to wear on anticipation of the party's return. This was to show honor and pride for their men. Dances were also performed when they returned, to celebrate their success. As the men arrived into the camp,the women would stand in rows, yelling and thrilling(a kind of screaching with your tonge vibrating)for their warrior.
This is the origin of the old style of the "Women's Traditional Dance"; standing in one place,keeping time with the drum by moving their feet up and down.
Pow Wow elders have been told by their grandfathers and grandmothers that the men did most of the dancing, only in recent decades have the women been accepted to dance among the men in the sacred circle.

Hand drums and log poles were often used to provide a beat. The tribe was constantly transport. Most songs were passed down from generation to generation; some having special words that belonged to a certain tribe or nation, some containing no words. Each song is
sung for a special event. There are special songs sung for traditional and fancy dance,as well as different styles of dancing, such as the Owl Dance Song.

The Pow Wow is a time for renewing old friendships and making new ones. Wars were put aside to celebrate in unison. Trappers and native designers were
welcome to set up their ware for the dancers wanting to purchase material and accessories to design their regalia; as it is a great pride to design your own outfit.

Today the Pow Wow circut is strong and more alive than ever before. Throughout the year, in cities, towns, villages and reservations; men, women and children of all ages gather together to celebrate the traditions, heritage, and culture of the Pow Wow.
The modern day Pow Wow basis itself on the fundamental values common to Native Americans throughout North America: honor, respect, tradition, and generosity. Along with theirfamilies, thousands of singers, dancers, artists, and craftspeople follow the "Pow Wow Trail" all over the continent to share and celebrate our culture.

The Pow Wow begins with a Grand Entry where the dancers in their regalia
enter the sacred circle (arbor) in single file,(sometimes by two's) dancing their particular dance style.
Dancers will participate in four separate categories: Traditional, Fancy, Grass and Jingle.
Many First Nation groups from all over North America have been invited to participate in the annual Pow Wow's.
At the larger gatherings it is not unusual to see over a 100 dancers in attendance each day of the Pow Wow.
Leading the Grand Entry are the flag bearers, carring the Canadian and American Flags, traditional Eagle Staff (Native Flag),Warrior Flag, Metis Flag,Veterans Flag and the flags of other participating nations.
Following the Flag Bearers are the members of the Pow Wow Royalty....Princesses,Chiefs etc.
Next you'll see "The Men's Traditional" dancers -They are the protectors and preservers of the traditional ways; with their double eagle feather bustles and their high kicking steps.
 Now will come the Men's Fancy dancers, recognized by their colorful regalia. The Men's Grass dancers with their striking regalia covered with long, colorful fringes follow.
Their dance movements are a sliding, shaking, and spinning motion, similar to long grass, blowing in the wind.
Teens, Juniors and Toddlers follow in their respective categories.
Following the male dancers, are the "Women's Traditional"dancers, who dance in a stately and poised manner, moving slowly and gracefully to the beat of the drum, dressed in elaborately decorated regalia with Eagle plumes worn on the back of the head and an Eagle fan in the right hand.

Next are the beautiful adorned "Woman's Fancy" dancers, whose long, graceful fringed shawls are draped over their shoulders. Their twirling rapid dance steps compliment the flaring shawls.
The "Women's Jingle" dancers follow, originally from the Objibwa Nation. This dance is recognized as a healing dance.The dress is covered with tin cones (made from stiff tin covers) and bouncy dance steps create rhythmic jingling in time of the beat of the drum.
 Again, teens, juniors and toddlers follow in their respective categories.
After all the dancers are in the arbor, a flag song is sung, then a victory song. The
flag bearers then proceed with the flags to the front of the arbor. After Grand Entry an opening prayer will be offered in a native language & in English. This is done out of respect for the flags and our traditional ways. It is very important for spectators to rise and remove their hats (unless you have an Eagle feather attached to it)during prayer. After the prayer, the opening song starts the Pow Wow.
Now the time to enjoy the Pow Wow has arrived.

In addition to the traditional dancing, drums, and Princess Pageant, other events and activities include craft and food booths, traditional bannock, various
draws and raffles, and souvenir's.
Here in the Maritimes; the pow wow committee puts on breakfast and a feast for supper each day.This is Free to everyone there, camping is also Free.

 Pow Wow time is the Native American people's way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones.
This is a time to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve our rich heritage.
There are several different stories of how the Pow Wow was started. Some believe that the war dance societies of the Ponca and other Southern Plains tribes were the origin of the Pow Wow.
Another belief is that when the Native Americans 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. Pow Wow singers are very important figures in the Native American culture. Without them there would be no dancing. The songs are of many varieties, from religious to war to social even love and comedy hve a place.
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.
Yet they still hold special meaning to those who know the song. Many songs are still sung in native tongue either newly composed or revivals of old songs. These songs are reminders to the Indian people of their old ways and rich heritage.

Dancers have always been a very important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dancers seen at Pow Wows 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 regalia 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.

Pow Wow's are organized by committees that work for weeks and in many cases, planning the next years event starts as soon as this one is over. At the Pow Wow,the MC runs the events.
 The MC works with the Arena Director to keep the Pow Wow 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.

Be sure and check out my upcoming  guides to; Pow Wow Do's & Don'ts, also Pow Wow Edicate Pow-Wow dates.