Great Lakes Area Native American Powwows

While some might equate Native Americans with the Southwestern United States only, the Great Lakes area has a rich cultural heritage of First Nations people.  Powwows, both large and small, take place in many of the states surrounding the Great Lakes, and people travel from near and far to attend.

Powwows are gatherings that usually consist of dancing, music, food, and arts and crafts vendors. They are held in celebration of Native American culture, spirituality, and people. Not all tribes have this tradition, but modern powwows are usually intertribal meaning that members of different tribes can participate. Most are open to attendance by Natives and non-Natives.

There are generally two types of powwows - traditional and competitive. At the competitive powwows, dancers, singers, and drummers compete for top honors and prizes sometimes traveling from across the country to do so. At traditional powwows, the participants are awarded honors and sometimes gifts.

Many of the dancers make their own traditional or fancy dress regalia. They dance in a clockwise circle which represents the seasonal cycles of life for the people and the planet. The drums also symbolize this circular movement of all things.

In the past, I have attended various powwows in Michigan, one of the largest being the annual Ann Arbor Dance for Mother Earth Contest Powwow.  One of my favorite events is Grand Entry, which is the official opening of the powwow with all of the dancers entering the dancing arena at the same time.  This is truly a sight to see especially with all the drummers and singers taking part.  Non-natives can join in the dancing during intertribals where people from the audience are invited to participate.

Along with Native American arts and crafts, there are also food vendors.  A traditional dish available is frybread.  This is made in different ways but mostly resembles a soft bread that has been deep fried and served either with sweets like honey or with meat.  Either way it's delicious.

While these occasions are about celebrating, they also have a solemn side. Fallen warriors are honored, both ancient and modern. Dancing to honor Turtle Island, a term for North America, is a common theme at these celebrations as well as showing respect for the entire planet.

It's best to pay attention when the organizers are describing powwow etiquette, such as tugging on dancers' regalia,  taking photos, and standing for the opening and ending prayers.  This information is also usually given in event literature or on websites.  There is a special ceremony observed for a fallen eagle feather, which represents a fallen warrior, and onlookers are usually asked not to take photographs at this time.

Powwows generally take place from spring to fall, but you can also find some indoor winter events. For more information about locations and Great Lakes tribes, visit the links at right.

Reference consulted:

Great LakesPowwows: Native American Celebrations of the Northeast. 2001. February 2009, (article no longer at site).