Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Welcome to Fascinating Facts and Tantalizing Trivia

A Hartson Dowd Column

July 22, 2006

   Powwows do not limit themselves to dancing and singing "Indian" but is an overall term given to a social gathering of Indian people.   With dancing as its primary focus, the powwow establishes itself as a celebration of culture.   Besides dancing sessions many other events are scheduled into the four day time period over which a powwow takes place.   Indian people gather to rodeo, gamble, honor relatives with giveaways, compete in athletic games and horse races, stage parades, schedule exhibition events and special ceremonies, feed friends and visitors, and buy goods at concession stands.   However socializing is the prime attraction for all powwow participants.

Historically, tribes in North America held summer ceremonies celebrating successful hunts, food gathering, or warfare.   These ceremonies allowed people to give thanks, honor their deceased relatives, or deal with special honors such as name giving ceremonies, adoptions and coming of age rites.   Often such ceremonies involved dancing and feasting.

These summer reunions took place at prearranged locations and dates. All tribal members would gather for social activities and religious ceremonies which reaffirmed the tribe's unity.   Clans and societies held their annual rites.   Cultural traditions strengthened.   Today's powwow grew out of these religious and social dances of the plains tribes.

Plains Indian dancing was of three basic varieties: dream-cult dancing like the ill-fated Ghost Dance, vow fulfillment dances like the Sun Dance, and warrior society dancing.   Contemporary powwow dancing is generally credited to the Hethuska (war dance) Societies of the Oklahoma Ponca, and the Omaha and Pawnee's "grass" dance." These two Nebraska tribes danced first with scalps attached to their belts and then switched to braided sweetgrass when the government discouraged intertribal warfare. The Pawnee gave the dance to the Omaha, who in turn gave the dance to the Sioux in the early 1870s.   When the Indian wars ended, the warrior societies declined but the "Omaha grass dance" continued to exist.   It became a social show dance in which the dancer concentrated on intricate body and head movements keeping his headdress feathers in constant motion.

July 12th - July 16th, 2006

First Annual Mi'kmaq of Bay St. George Pow Wow
Flat Bay, Bay St. George,
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Just

atJuly 13 - 22, 2006

2006 World Lacrosse Championships
London Ontario
www.2006worldlacrosse.com

July 14 - 16, 2006

Cold Lake 1st Nation Treaty Days Festival
English Bay Treaty Grounds Cold Lake, Alberta
Info: (780) - 594 - 7183

July 14 - 16, 2006

Khowutzun Warmland Traditional Pow Wow
Duncan, British Columbia
Info : (205) 709 - 2248

July 14 - 16, 2006

Opwaaganasiniing Traditional Pow Wow
Across from Lake Helen
Nipigon, Ontario
Info: (807) - 887 - 2510

GRAND RIVER POWWOW - July 22 + 23, 2006

Around 1977, a few people from the Six Nations community began to dance at PowWow’s throughout Ontario. One night in 1979, sitting around the campfire at a powwow, the discussion turned to “Why don’t we host a powwow at home?” The wheels started turning and the work began. The Grand River “Champion of Champions” PowWow Committee was formed and it was decided to have the first Pow Wow in 1980.

The term “Champion of Champions” was introduced as an added incentive to attract dancers. The dancer that would accumulate the most points throughout the weekend would be deemed the “Champion of Champions” and receive a trophy, as well as have their name engraved on a large trophy that is displayed by the PowWow Committee. A date was picked and it was decided that the powwow would be held annually on the fourth weekend in July. It was also agreed that the Committee and everyone involved in organizing the event would be volunteers.

In 1980 the first Grand River “Champion of Champions” PowWow was held. When that first Grand Entry took place, it was an exciting and very emotional moment. Throughout the years, the Committee has managed to purchase its own bleachers, lights, tents and various equipment and supplies. The Committee provides supper to all dancers, singers and volunteers on Saturday and Sunday.

A lot of help, advice and encouragement have been given to the PowWow Committee throughout its lifetime. In 2006, the Grand River “Champion of Champions” PowWow celebrates its 27th year.

Pow-wow dance contest in various age groups
Smoke dance competition
Singing contest for participating drum groups
First Nation's Artist Performances
Over 400 Pow-wow dancers from across North America
Over 100 native craft & food vendor’s
Free parking & Bus Tours welcome

GENERAL ADMISSION ONLY:
Adults: $10.00
Children: $2.00 (6-12 years old)
Two Day Pass: $15.00

Note: Permissible to bring cameras and lawn chairs. Alcohol is NOT permitted anywhere on grounds.

Prize Board: http://www.grpowwow.com/Prize.html

Directions:

From Toronto Airport to Chiefswood Park
Park Follow Hwy 427 south to the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) Hwy Take the QEW west towards Hamilton/Burlington Take QEW to the Hwy 403 split to Brantford Proceed on Hwy 403 until you reach the Garden Ave - Cainsville Exit Turn left onto Garden Ave and proceed to stoplights at Cainsville Continue straight until Hwy 254 (old Hwy 54) - Cayuga/Caledonia sign Turn left onto Hwy 254 travelling about 10 kms until you reach Chiefswood Rd. & Pauline Johnson Rd. Chiefswood Park is on right hand side just past the corner.

From Hamilton Airport to Chiefswood Park
Exit left from Airport and proceed to stoplights at Hwy 6 (south) Turn right onto Hwy 6 (proceed to Caledonia) Proceed through Town of Caledonia to stoplights at Hwy 254 (old Hwy 54) Turn right onto Hwy 254 and travel about km Chiefswood Park is on the left hand side just before Chiefswood Rd.

From Best Western (Brantford) to Six Nations Bingo Hall
From hotel, proceed to stoplights at Wayne Gretzky Parkway Turn left onto Wayne Gretzky Pkwy and follow to Colborne St. Turn left onto Colborne St. and follow into Cainsville (stoplights) Turn right and follow to Hwy 254 (old Hwy 54) - Cayuga/Caledonia sign Turn left onto Hwy 254 traveling about 10 kms (6 miles) until you reach Chiefswood Rd. & Pauline Johnson Rd. Chiefswood Park is on right hand side just past the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What about crossing the US/Canada Border?
Photo ID is required. For those of you who are Native, your tribal ID is best, provided it is photo ID. Otherwise, be prepared to show additional ID.

Is photography allowed?
Yes, the majority of the time. Cameras and video cameras are allowed for personal use only. Just be sure to listen to the MC, he will advise you when NOT to photograph. If you want to take pictures of the dancers, be sure to ask their permission.

Is seating available?
Yes, bleachers are provided. It is also permissible to bring your lawn chairs.
There is a special seating area available for seniors and handicapped.

What kinds of vendors will be in attendance?
There will be 30 food vendors, selling usual fares such as hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, lemonade, as well as Native foods like corn soup, fry bread, Indian tacos, wild game and wild rice. There will be 100+ Native craft vendors selling items such as jewellery, moccasins, shirts, beadwork, and other unique items. Some of the vendors accept major credit cards.

Links:

Hartson Sager Dowd

hsdowd@telus.net