1. Be on time. The Committee is doing everything possible to ensure
that activities begin and run smoothly. Please cooperate in this
regard.
2. Appropriate dress and behavior is required in the Arena. Anyone
unwilling to abide by this rule will be asked to leave by the Arena
Director. (If you are going to dance, try to wear dance clothes.)
3. Arena benches are reserved for dancers. Dancers wishing to
reserve a space on the bench should place a blanket in that space
before the dance begins. Please do not sit on someone else’s
blanket unless invited. Uncovered benches are considered
unreserved.
4. Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. He will announce who is to
dance, and when.
5. Respect the position of the Head Man and Head Woman
Dancers. Their role entitles them to start each song or set of songs.
Please wait until they have started to dance before you join in.
6. Dance as long and as hard as you can. When not dancing, be
quiet and respect the Arena [NO food, drink, or smoking].
7. Be aware that someone standing behind you may not be able to
see over you. Make room, step aside, sit, or kneel if someone is
behind you.
8. Show respect to the flag and honor songs by standing during
“Special” songs, stand in place until the sponsors of the song have
danced a complete circle and have come around you, then join in. If
you are not dancing, continue to stand quietly until the song is
completed.
9. While dancing at any PowWow, honor the protocol of the
sponsoring group.
10. Some songs require that you dance only if you are familiar with
the routine or are eligible to participate. Trot dances, snake, buffalo,
etc. require particular steps or routines. If you are not familiar with
these dances, observe and learn. Watch the Head Dancers to learn
the procedures. Only Veterans are permitted to dance some Veteran’
s songs, unless otherwise stated. Please listen to the MC for
instructions.
11. The Flag Song, or Indian National Anthem, is sung when the
American Flag is raised or lowered. Please stand and remove hats
during the singing of this song. It is not a song for dancing.
12. Powwows are usually non-profit. It depends upon donations,
raffles, blanket dances, etc. for support. Donations are encouraged
as a way to honor someone. Any participant can drop money onto
the blanket to aid in the powwow expenses. Support the Committee
and buy raffle tickets.
13. Certain items of religious significance should be worn only by
those qualified to do so. Respect the traditions.
14. Giveaways, attributes of Indian generosity, are held at many
dances. They are acknowledgments of appreciation to recipients for
honor given. When receiving a gift, the recipient thanks everyone
involved in the giving. NOTE: All specials and giveaways must be
coordinated with the Master of Ceremonies. Please remember that is
traditional to make a monetary contribution to the Drum for this
request–clear this through the MC.
15. The Drums are sometimes closed, check with the Head Singer
for permission to sing.
16. If at any time you are uncertain of procedure or etiquette, please
check with the MC, Arena Director, or Head Singer. They will be glad
to help you with your questions.
17. Take a chair. Most PowWows will not have seating for the public
or enough seating for everyone. Also remember that the benches in
the arena are for dancers only.
18. No Alcohol or drugs are allowed at PowWows.
19. If taking pictures, asked the dancer first. Remember common
courtesy and ask permission. Group photographs are usually all
right to take, but you might want to ask the PowWow committee or
person(s) first.
* Remember that in each area you travel to and visit, things can
and will be slightly different than your area.
* Different groups have different customs and methods of doing
things.
* Different is not wrong, just different. Be respectful of the
uniqueness of each area.
that activities begin and run smoothly. Please cooperate in this
regard.
2. Appropriate dress and behavior is required in the Arena. Anyone
unwilling to abide by this rule will be asked to leave by the Arena
Director. (If you are going to dance, try to wear dance clothes.)
3. Arena benches are reserved for dancers. Dancers wishing to
reserve a space on the bench should place a blanket in that space
before the dance begins. Please do not sit on someone else’s
blanket unless invited. Uncovered benches are considered
unreserved.
4. Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. He will announce who is to
dance, and when.
5. Respect the position of the Head Man and Head Woman
Dancers. Their role entitles them to start each song or set of songs.
Please wait until they have started to dance before you join in.
6. Dance as long and as hard as you can. When not dancing, be
quiet and respect the Arena [NO food, drink, or smoking].
7. Be aware that someone standing behind you may not be able to
see over you. Make room, step aside, sit, or kneel if someone is
behind you.
8. Show respect to the flag and honor songs by standing during
“Special” songs, stand in place until the sponsors of the song have
danced a complete circle and have come around you, then join in. If
you are not dancing, continue to stand quietly until the song is
completed.
9. While dancing at any PowWow, honor the protocol of the
sponsoring group.
10. Some songs require that you dance only if you are familiar with
the routine or are eligible to participate. Trot dances, snake, buffalo,
etc. require particular steps or routines. If you are not familiar with
these dances, observe and learn. Watch the Head Dancers to learn
the procedures. Only Veterans are permitted to dance some Veteran’
s songs, unless otherwise stated. Please listen to the MC for
instructions.
11. The Flag Song, or Indian National Anthem, is sung when the
American Flag is raised or lowered. Please stand and remove hats
during the singing of this song. It is not a song for dancing.
12. Powwows are usually non-profit. It depends upon donations,
raffles, blanket dances, etc. for support. Donations are encouraged
as a way to honor someone. Any participant can drop money onto
the blanket to aid in the powwow expenses. Support the Committee
and buy raffle tickets.
13. Certain items of religious significance should be worn only by
those qualified to do so. Respect the traditions.
14. Giveaways, attributes of Indian generosity, are held at many
dances. They are acknowledgments of appreciation to recipients for
honor given. When receiving a gift, the recipient thanks everyone
involved in the giving. NOTE: All specials and giveaways must be
coordinated with the Master of Ceremonies. Please remember that is
traditional to make a monetary contribution to the Drum for this
request–clear this through the MC.
15. The Drums are sometimes closed, check with the Head Singer
for permission to sing.
16. If at any time you are uncertain of procedure or etiquette, please
check with the MC, Arena Director, or Head Singer. They will be glad
to help you with your questions.
17. Take a chair. Most PowWows will not have seating for the public
or enough seating for everyone. Also remember that the benches in
the arena are for dancers only.
18. No Alcohol or drugs are allowed at PowWows.
19. If taking pictures, asked the dancer first. Remember common
courtesy and ask permission. Group photographs are usually all
right to take, but you might want to ask the PowWow committee or
person(s) first.
* Remember that in each area you travel to and visit, things can
and will be slightly different than your area.
* Different groups have different customs and methods of doing
things.
* Different is not wrong, just different. Be respectful of the
uniqueness of each area.
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