Wow! What a great Powwow we had this year! I heard so many positive and supportive comments on the atmosphere, mood, people, cultural happenings, vendors, and even the last minute location change (Camp Coldbrook worked out beautifully). We had a continuous flow of people all weekend long. I'd estimate we had somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,500 people visit our event. We saw old friends we hadn't seen in years and met new friends we hope to know for a long time to come. It seems as if a good time was had by all! I know I had a blast!
Please go to our PICTURE link and see the pictures Alyn Bergstrom, (WIIC's official photographer), took at Powwow. She did a great job capturing many of the sights and people attending our gathering.
Under the PICTURE link you will also find pictures from the Two Nations Powwow, held May 2-3, 2009. Two Nations is put on by two of our own board members, John "Gentle Hawk" Joubert and Mark "Elksbear" Emmons, and it is heavily attended and supported by WIIC members. This is another great powwow you should make a point of checking out!
If you attended the WIIC Powwow, We'd love to hear your thoughts on the event and your own experiences there. You can e-mail us at: wiiccenter@yahoo.com. Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions you may have. Also, if you have any photographs you took at Powwow (this year or in years past) that you'd like to share with us, we love to see them.
Thank you for your interest in WIIC and have a fantastic day! Nicole "Spirit of the Moon"
Powwow Etiquette
The circle: The dance circle has been blessed before opening ceremonies and is considered sacred ground. It is to be respected at all times. Treat the circle as you would treat a church. Dancers enter and exit only through the eastern gate, please don't allow children to go under the ropes.
Also please keep conversation in the circle to a minimum, Especially to people outside of the circle and during honoring songs or ceremonies.
Listen to the MC. He will guide you through what's going on, both inside the circle and throughout the Powwow. He'll keep you informed about all of the ceremonial songs, specialty dances, "intertribal" dances, events, and points of interest. The MC will specify who is to dance and when; spectators are invited to participate ("intertribal" songs). During Grand Entry (1st 3 songs) & any other Honor songs, you should stand and remove your hat.
Photographs and recordings: You must ask permission before taking photographs of anyones regalia (native clothing) or campsite (Tipi). Most dancers will honor your request and appreciate your respect. No commercial photography or sound recordings are allowed without expressed consent of WIIC. There is absolutely NO recording or photography of any kind during Honoring songs, Gourd Dancing, prayers or at anytime the MC specifies.
Regalia: you will see many dancers wearing traditional Regalia. These are not costumes. Every part of a dancer's regalia is very important to him or her, for various reasons. Many hours go into the intricate beading and detailing.
A full set of traditional regalia may take years to complete and often contain older components, passed down over many years and generations. They often include fragile or sacred embellishments like feathers, skins, bones, shells, etc. Ask permission before touching or photographing anyone's regalia! It's considered rude to handle any part of someone's regalia without consent.
Blanket Dance: Donations for guest drums, who volunteer to play at the powwow, are traditionally collected during the blanket dance. These drummers and singers have traveled long distances to provide music for our powwow.
Alcohol and drugs: Powwows have strict rules against alcohol and drug use; within the entire area of the powwow. Drugs and alcohol are simply not allowed!