Pow-wow etiquette

[beeleaf]

Roca's post (in Events) & my own pondering has lead me to seek clarity about this subject. I try to follow whatever is printed, but keep finding different etiquette lists online. Today I found this little no-no, at least as far as the Arizona Office of Tourism is concerned, "Applause after ceremonial dances is considered inappropriate."

I tend to go "Woo-hoo" when the spirit moves me. Is that ok to do? By OK, I mean would those who are dancing be offended by it? Showing respect is incredibly important to me, but that could mean something completely different to others. So, please educate me.

Thanks,

Bee

[Dreaminghawk]

Bee.... the only case on the east coast where applause would be inappropriate is after an honor dance (such as Chief Walt had for the 3 tribal members who have crossed over since the last powwow.) Maybe another case would be after the drum has been brushed or an eagle whistle is blown..... but you will be too blown away by that experience to applaud... you may be crying.... a powerful experience... also a time when no pictures are allowed.

[Mousini78]

I think as you travel and attend the pow wows in our area, you will get a feel for what is right. And rely on the emcee to know and educate the public. That's the difference in most of the pow wows here (versus the West), they are open to the public. And as far as pictures go, I have been to several that request no pics at the Flag dance/Veteran's dance and some that don't care. Oh, and another time is when an Eagle feather has been dropped by a dancer. There is a special ritual that goes with it and they ask no pictures be taken. But that will also be explained if it should happen.

And if you feel the need to caw or screech....then obviously the spirit has moved you...and that's the best thing.

I am still learning etiquette, mostly dancer etiquette, but still learning. And that is a whole different thing...and varies as well.

Aho
Becky

[danricecote]

Uneducated but personal experience:
I've seen things done differently in different places by different Tribes.
On the Wind Rivers, perhaps they still do it - but they were putting on a "Culture Sharing" deal at a city park. It was Tribal members dancing just so "whitey" could be exposed to it every other weekend thru the summer. They drew good crowds but the emcee sometimes sounded as if he were joking when he would say things like "To stand during the performance shows respect" or "To remain silent after a dance shows respect" so, I came away not sure what was procedure and what was humor.
In that area of the west, there are few "Pow Wows" ... mostly, they have what is called "Rendevous" - which is for Mountain-Man Imitators, Calvary Imitators, vendors and occasionally folks of Native blood. All will claim to be of Native Blood when the tourists are around. Rarely do they have any dancing or even drums - but they will be happy to point to the "other" side of the river where the Natives were allowed to camp during the old days. It is more of a white-man's deal than a Pow Wow and usually only served to Tick Me Off like a Time Bomb!!
Here in Oregon, I've been to one Dance ceremony on the Warm Springs Rez - but it was put on at the Casino for the benefit of a housing conference and all could join in a couple of dances at the end.
I suppose there is quite a difference if it is a true Tribal event or a show put on for the tourists.
The Siletz Pow Wow is in two weeks and I hope to learn more of their ways here and really appreciate those who help to inform on this site. Perhaps I will have additional notes to share after that. I do so wish that VA, WVA, TN, KY and NC were out this way closer - my family reunion in WVA is the same weekend as the Pow Wow here - and I'd just love to raise their awareness by the full troupe of us dancing thru as - since they have only known me a little over 3 years, they mostly wonder "Why is that boy stuck on Indian"?
Peace

[beeleaf]

Thank you all! I appreciate your insight & experience. In many ways, it has felt like Nacho and I are the same age (he is 7). What's neat is how good it can feel to have that be OK and to learn from it. This is a powerful circle that I'm grateful to begin feeling part of.

[beeleaf]

...they mostly wonder "Why is that boy stuck on Indian"?


Dan, you made me laugh. That is a familiar song. Sort of goes along with things expressed on the "Catching Flack" thread. Now that I'm giggling about it, it also makes me think of Star Wars. "The force is strong in this one".

I went through a teen "phase" of being downright anti-social toward white people. I'm sure that seemed pretty odd to some of my family. But there was one incident where the neighbor who owned the tomato didn't get mad at me for hurling it because he was "part Indian". This story may just now be making sense to me. It is wild and somehow comforting to remember such examples of how we recognized each other, despite not being in a "tribal setting". Perhaps that would be a separate topic to explore...

Dan, I sure hope you can make it out this way & eat some corn with us!

[DAJ42]

I think as you travel and attend the pow wows in our area, you will get a feel for what is right. And rely on the emcee to know and educate the public. That's the difference in most of the pow wows here (versus the West), they are open to the public.

I've been attending powwows in the West for 40 years. New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Wahington, Oregon. Without exception, they have been open to everybody. The only people who get turned away are usually trying to smuggle in drugs or alcohol. Special cultural events, say for some of the Southwest Pueblo tribes, often are open only to tribal members, but those events aren't classified as powwows.

[DAJ42]

Here in Oregon, I've been to one Dance ceremony on the Warm Springs Rez - but it was put on at the Casino for the benefit of a housing conference and all could join in a couple of dances at the end.[/FONT]
I suppose there is quite a difference if it is a true Tribal event or a show put on for the tourists.Peace

Dan, here's a link to the Warm Springs event calendar for 2007. http://www.warmsprings.com/warmsprings/News__Events/
Some of the events, such as the root feast and the huckleberry feast, are listed as tribal only. I know with those type of events with the Washington nation I'm most familiar with, outside guests are welcome by invitation of tribal members. Dunno if that's allowed by the Warm Springs. Those particular feasts are spiritual and the tribes don't want them to become commercialized, nor are they desirous of having a lot of wannabes showing up and asking inane questions about sacred beliefs.

[danricecote]

Thanks DAJ!

[roca]

Found 2 good sites for powwow etiquette.

http://students.washington.edu/fnuw/powwow/powetq.html

And powwows.com also has a link to an etiquette page.

Roca:)

[Mousini78]

Those are good ones, Roca....thanks.

[beeleaf]

Hadn't seen that first link.

I love this part:
"Some dances are old, some are brand new... the culture continues to live and evolve."

That seems both comforting and inspiring.

I hope it proves to be true, as I attempt to find my way. I have questions formulating about regalia, dancing styles, etc., and "what feels natural" vs "what is acceptable". For example, I wondered if there were any female grass dancers, so I looked it up. Well, I learned quite a bit from what people were saying! Some of it made me sad. But mainly, I just want to be sure to go slow and "do it right". By that, I mean being true to myself and my connection, without introducing anything negative. At least, I think that's what I mean. lol

Thanks again.