For Visitors > Event Highlights

Grand Entry marks the beginning of each Pow Wow session. Dancers line up behind the Head Veteran, Flag Carriers, Head Dancers and Princesses from different communities. The Head Veteran carries the Eagle Staff (the Native American flag) and is responsible for retreating the colors at the end of each session. Being chosen as the Head Veteran is a considerable honor, as is the case with the Head Dancers. The Head Dancers (one man and one woman) lead the dancers into nearly every dance, thus rendering them responsible for the direction of the Pow Wow.

The Flag Song is sung after the Grand Entry. It serves as the equivalent of a national anthem. It honors our veterans, past and present; those men and women who have fought for and defended our people. During this song all remain standing and silent.

The Victory Song directly succeeds the Flag Song, and it represents the spirit of the Pow Wow. It also honors veterans as well as our people who have exhibited great strength and perseverance.

Intertribals - These dances are those during which the MC invites people of different nations and ages to share the dance floor. Non-Natives are also invited and encouraged to participate. Intertribals provide an opportunity for dancers to socialize as well as warm-up for competition.

Contest Dancing - Dancers are divided into categories based on their age and dance style. The dancers are judged upon their ability to dance, the completeness of their regalia, and their knowledge of the song.

Honor Songs -The singing of an honor song can recognize a person or individual, the retrieval of an eagle feather, or the death of a loved one. Everyone should stand and remain silent during an honor song.

Dropped Eagle Feather - A dropped eagle feather represents one of our fallen warriors. Sometimes a dancer may accidentally drop an eagle feather from their regalia. When this occurs, the first veteran to spot the feather will dance by it, guarding the feather until the end of the song. The MC will then call on one of the drums to sing an honor song to pick up the feather. The Head Veteran will sometimes dance or will appoint another veteran to dance during the song to retrieve the feather by the song's conclusion. Once retrieved, the feather is returned to its owner who, out of humility and appreciation, will give the Head Veteran and his assistants a gift for their service. As Native Americans consider eagle feathers sacred, if an eagle feather falls from a person's regalia, we ask that everyone stand in respectful silence until the veterans complete their duty.

The Give-Away - The Give-Away is an integral part of a Pow Wow as it represents the generous nature of Native peoples. Give-Aways allow an individual (s) to mark the occasion of being a Head Dancer, receiving a name or clan, or dancing in the circle for the first time - just to name a few. Much thought and time is placed into a Give-Away.