The Pow Wow Trail

The Grand Entry

The Pow Wow begins with the Grand Entry. All spectators are asked to rise as the flags of the host are brought in. The Eagle staffs and flags represent nations, families, and communities. As the drums begin a grand entry song, the chief or tribal chair of the host tribe and visiting dignitaries enter the arena. They are followed by other honored members and the color guard of veterans. Elected royalty (princesses, warriors, etc.), young people who have been chosen and honored by their specific home community to represent that community at Pow Wows around the country, follow next. Led by the elders, the men dancers follow next, generally in the following order: Men's Chicken Dancers, Men's Traditional Dancers, Men's Grass Dancers and then Men's Fancy Dancers. Then the women enter, also led by the elder women and in the order of Women's Traditional Dancers, Jingle Dress Dancers and then Fancy Shawl Dancers. The teenage boys enter next, followed by the teenage girls and then the younger boys, girls and tiny tots. The dancers in each category are announced by the MCs as they pass the announcers stand. Finally the arena is filled with all of the dancers, each dancing in their grand regalia. Responsibility for maintaining the song passes from drum to drum, going around the circle until all dancers are in the center of the circle and dancing. With all remaining in the center of the circle, the prayer song and honoring song for veterans begin next. It is a spectacular sight filled with beauty and excitement and pride.

Men's Grass Dance

Several stories about the origin of the grass dance are told. One tells of the grass dance being an elite warrior society. The grass being high in new areas, the warriors would dance in a special way to flatten the grass and make it acceptable for a new camp or meeting site. The grass dance movements also reflect warrior movements such as stalking the game or enemy and fighting the enemy (including one movement representing one of the warrior's legs being staked and unable to move and battling with this leg in a held position). The grass dance is often said to reflect the need for balance in life; each movement that is danced on one side must be repeated by the other side. Some people talk of the grass dance as a gift from the Creator to celebrate life. The regalia for the dance is comprised of long strands of yarn, ribbon or fabric attached to a base outfit to represent grass or in some theories the scalps of enemies. A headdress called a porcupine roach is worn. The roach has two feathers attached in such a way that they rock or twirl as the dancer moves. The movement of the feathers represents two warriors fighting in battle. As in all the dances, the dancer must move with the beats of the drum ending with both feet on the ground on the final beat.

Men's Traditional War Dance

The Men's Northern Traditional style of dance is one of pride and confidence amongst First Nations men. Traditional dancers demonstrate a style of dance that evolved from the old form of war dance. The dance depicts the telling of a war story or hunting expedition. Other dancers also imitate wildlife such as horses, birds or buffalo while performing.

The outfits of Men's Northern Traditional dancers consist of beaded vests, war shields and porcupine roaches. A single, circular bustle made of eagle feathers is worn on the back. Most dancers carry some sort of staff or dancing stick. The colours and designs used in each individual's outfit can symbolize their clan or family or represent their Indian name.

While the dancers are dancing, they appear to be strong, bold warriors. They tell a complete story that can be seen in their dance steps as they bend low to the ground and peer cautiously about. The process is repeated as an on-going hunt. The completion of the successful hunt is demonstrated as they move in for the kill.

Traditional dancers never dance backwards as they perform, as this would be perceived as retreat. Also, they never turn in a full circle while dancing.

The Men's Northern Contemporary Traditional Dance has the same origin and similar styles to that of the Northern Traditional. The main difference is that dancers of the contemporary style have brighter, flashier outfits and move more wildly.