Chapter 2

The Modern American Indian Powwows

If you spend any time going thru Chapter 5, the Interviews, you'll know that every single American Indian interviewed recommends going to Powwows, and for good reason. It is one of the best places to meet American Indians and to learn more about their culture. Not only is it a good place to renew old friendships, it's a great place to make new ones. I know from personal experience how intimidating it can be to go to Powwows where you don't know anyone and/or don't know what's going on. The whole purpose of this chapter is not to explain everything about Powwow's, but rather to give you a heads up about what the basics are, at least for Dakota or Lakota powwows as different nations and regions have their own cultures and ways of doing things. I also recommend that you spend time reading Chapter 5 as everybody had some advice about what to do when you're at a Powwow to prevent any misunderstandings.

Meeting American Indian people is wonderful, and it is a thing that any Scouter and Order of the Arrow member can do. Having a first hand resource that can answer any questions, dispel any myths, and correct bad outfits has proven so valuable for me that I highly recommend it for everyone. I guarantee that a good teacher or mentor can open your eyes to many possibilities and renew a passion that will last for many, many years.

Chapter 2-1: Powwow Etiquette

What to do/not to do

It's always good to see people from many different backgrounds attending Powwows to learn more about the American Indian culture, as in this picture from the 2002 Section Conclave. For those of you unfamiliar with powwows, Here are some general guidelines to follow:

The Arena:

Blessed before dancing, the arena is considered sacred ground and should be treated with respect. Profanity and unruly behavior should not be used. Never cut across it to get to the opposite side. Treat the arena as you would treat a church. Go in the "door" and out the same way. The MC will specify who is to dance and when and when spectators may participate.

Recording:

Photos of individual dancers should only be taken with their permission and no commercial photography should be done without first checking with the MC and powwow staff. Tape recording of the drums should be done only after asking the drum group. Video recording should be only for personal use, unless by previous arrangement with the staff. Absolutely NO recording of any kind on Honor Songs, Gourd Dancing, prayers, or at any other time the MC specifies. Some of these songs are considered ÒownedÓ by a family where you need to ask permission just to use them.

Alcohol and Drugs:

Powwows have strict rules against alcohol and drug use in the entire area of the powwow, that's one of the reasons why security is a part of every Powwow staff.

Arts and Crafts:

At any given powwow, you will find a wide array of Indian arts, handmade crafts, and jewelry for sale. Often this is how these vendors make a living, as most sell quality goods at a reasonable price. Most will not accept checks, so it is a good idea to have cash on hand.

The Regalia:

Dancers wear traditional regalia, not costumes, when they dance. Every part of a dancer's regalia is very important to him or her for various reasons. Many hours go into the intricate beadwork and detailing, and full set of regalia may take years to complete. The feathers or leather could also be over 100 years old and very fragile. So please never handle any part of a dancer's outfit unless given permission. to do so.

Chapter 2-2: Types of Powwow Dances

Grand Entry

The Grand Entry begins all Powwows (unless there is Gourd Dancing, which is a southern war society dance). It is the important first song as it brings all the dancers into the arena. The dancers enter in a certain order, and can vary a little depending on Tribe or region of the country the powwow is being held. Here's an example of the typical entrance order: Flag bearers first, then Head dancers, veterans, royalty, Men's Northern Traditional, Southern Traditional, Grass dancers, Men's Fancy, Women's Northern, Women's Southern, Jingle, Women's fancy shawl, then the children or ÒTiny TotsÓ.

Contest Song

Some Powwows are competitions. Dancers are grouped by dance style and age, and compete for cash prizes. Each may be judged on creativity, staying with the beat, and stopping at the right time. The regalia at contest powwows can be very fancy and detailed as many dancers make their living this way. Yet there are also those who do not compete, because they do not approve of such things. These people may participate only in traditional type powwows.

Intertribal

Everyone, Indian and non-Indian, is invited to come out into the arena and dance.

Tiny Tots

Children are cherished in Native cultures, and many are started into the Powwows at an early age. Tiny Tot songs are for children under 5 years. Boys and girls that can hardly walk may be dressed in full regalia, and mothers may take babies out. Often, everyone who participates is given a small gift, such as candy or a dollar.

Honor Song

An Honor Song is sung for an individual for different reasons. For example, he or she may have just graduated, lost a loved one, gained a new family member, or be starting a new style of dance. During this song and dance no recording of any kind is allowed. After the dancer and his or her family and friends circle the arena once, everyone is invited to come and pay their respects, then take their place behind them to finish the dance.

Giveaway

Giveaways usually go hand-in-hand with Honor Songs. Gifts of any size are given for any of a number of reasons. Gifts are often given to complete strangers, which not only makes the giver feel good, but also shows their generosity. If an individual does not have much money, his or her family and friends will donate gifts.

Men's Fancy Shawl

Basically, this dance is for men to try and wear a woman's shawl and then dance like Fancy Shawl dancers. This dance is always entertaining to observe, as most men don't look much like butterflies as they stomp around. A winner is sometimes chosen by applause (and laughter).

Chapter 2-3: Drum Basics

First Person Resource: Brian Freeman

Brian Freeman has been involved in Scouting since 1979. His positions have included Assistant Scoutmaster, Campmaster (for 17 years), Brotherhood OA member, and Ceremonial advisor for his local OA chapter for 3 years. He had also earned his Eagle Scout as a youth. Brian has a small amount of Native American heritage and is the lead singer of a local Dakota drum group and has been singing since 1983. He has also been asked to present at countless Scout and community functions on various topics of local Native American heritage, specializing in song and ways of life. He is extremely familiar with customs, crafts, songs, and religion of local Native Americans. I am honored that we was willing to author the following text about the American Indian drum for this book. He was also interviewed for Chapter 5 where he shares more of his thoughts about the American Indian culture.

Song Structure

Native American music is comprised of many different types of songs. At a Powwow you will hear traditional songs, flag songs, veteran's songs, round dance, honor songs, and more. Each type of song has its proper place to be sung, because they all have some meaning or purpose.

Dakota song structure is made up of two halves. In the melody, the second half usually echoes the first half. A song typically starts out rather high as the lead singer sings out the lead phrase alone, and then is echoed by the rest of the group. After the lead line, the music will often cascade to a lower pitch as the song goes on. At the end of the first half of the song, there is a short pause, and then the second half is sung. During the course of the second half of the song usually there are honor beats placed at a specific time. The style of honor beats varies some, but it is usually four loud beats, one interpretation is that it is representing cannon fire in battle.

After a song is sung through a full time, the lead singer will bring out the lead line once again as the song will then be repeated. This can continue as long as the singers feel necessary. Commonly, a song will be sung through four times then ended. At that point, the lead singer may decide to add a tail to the song. The tail would then pick up at the beginning of the second half of the song. If the lead singer decides to end the song after that, it would be called a bobtail. The lead singer may then choose to continue the song many more times after that.

The use of words in these songs varies greatly. Many songs do not have any words and are comprised entirely of vocables. The vocables are sung in melody just as any popular song today is sung with words. The most common usage of words in Dakota songs is with the native language sung during the second half of the song only. There are also many songs that are almost entirely words, (first and second half), with a few short vocables that help carry the melody. The most common types of songs that use words are Flag songs, veteran's songs, Sundance songs, round dance songs, or most honor songs of any variety. A majority of intertribal songs, including grass dance, fancy dance, jingle dress, and traditional songs do not have words. Round dance or 49er songs are the most common for having English words.

At a traditional drum, only men are aloud to sit at or strike the drum. Women stand behind the drum and sing one octave above the men. They do not sing the lead line or the first time through the song. The added dimension that the women bring to the music at the drum can't be equaled.

There are a few different styles of drumbeats used in Dakota music. The most common is the regular beat with a very slight syncopation. This is what you will hear on any of the traditional or grass dance songs. The next most common beat is the parade beat, which is mostly used in honor songs. You will hear this style of beat used with the flag song. Another common type is a heavily syncopated beat that would be used in a round dance, or 49er song. A fourth type of beat is a combination of a rolling random beat followed by a fast regular beat. This is used in competition songs like the Winnebago's pipe and rattle, or a sneak up.

Several types of Dakota/Lakota/Nakota songs

And their purpose

Traditional Song: Usually synonymous with Intertribal. This type of song is the most commonly heard at a Powwow. It usually is all vocables, but does not have to be. They generally are melodic and vary in style greatly. The drumbeat is always of the regular beat.

Flag Song: To the Dakota people, this is the National Anthem. This song is sung at any such times that one would sing the National Anthem. The Flag song is always sung at the beginning of a Powwow or special event. This song should be given the same respect as your own flag. We do not dance to this song as it is for the flag to dance.

Veteran's Song: This type of song usually follows the Flag song in a Powwow. There are many different Veterans' songs, all of which are sung to honor our veterans. Some are sung to honor a specific branch of service or specific conflict. To the Dakota people, a veteran is a warrior that should always be honored. In this way, those that served this country may dance and be honored.

Sneak Up: This is a scout's dance. It is often sung after the veteran's song in a Powwow. The dance is a story of how a warrior would go ahead of the party to scout out the area for the enemy or game. Four times the song is sung through, starting with a rolling beat while the dancers attempt to sneak up on their target. The song then goes into a fast steady beat that stops instantly. The dancers must stop on the beat or retreat to try again. After the fourth stop of the song, the singers will continue two more times through the song until the end.

Round Dance: This is sometimes also called a two-step. These songs are sung with a heavily syncopated beat. These are often considered couple's songs.

Honor Song: This type of song carries special meanings. Every song is different, but all has a similar purpose. When an individual or group has done something noteworthy, or even has had hard times, they may honored by another. In this case, a special honoring song would be sung for those people, much like a veteran's song is sung to honor veterans.

Sundance Song: These are very sacred songs. The only place that these songs should be sung is in ceremony, most commonly in the Sundance. There are entrance songs, pipe songs, and others. They are usually sung in groups of four, typically seven times through only during the dance.

Inipi Song: These songs are also very sacred. These too, are special songs usually sung just in the sweat lodge. There are pipe-filling songs used just for that, filling the pipe, which is always used with the sweat. Inipi songs have special powers that can call the spirits. Because of this power, they must be used carefully and only by those that understand what they are doing.

For hundreds of song downloads and a more in depth discussion of the Drum and Indian stereotypes, check out Brian's Website at:

http://drumhop.com/

htpp://stereotype.drumhop.com

Introduction••Table of Contents••Tell me what you think!••Chapter 1 History••Chapter 2 Etiquette••Chapter 2 Dances••Chapter 2 Songs••Chapter 3 Outfits••Chapter 4-1 Projects••Chapter 4-2 Ribbon Shirts••Chapter 4-3 Tipi Basics••Chapter 5 Interviews••Chapter 5 Dave Larson••Chapter 5 Wally Ripplinger••Chapter 5 Oyate Ota••Chapter 5 Valerie Larson••Appendices