When it comes to the cultural aspects of Indian tribes, a lot of history has been overlooked. While this is the case, modern Native american pow wows have enlightened a number of Americans to the culture and history of different tribal nations. At the same time, it should be noted that pow wows actually took place as early as the late 19th century.
The first pow wows were public dances akin to those performed at gatherings which now take place around the United States. Originally, the events were an ongoing practice among tribes in the Great Plains, with most taking place during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. As the United States had began fragmenting various tribes in an effort to acquire Native American lands for economic exploration and growth, it was a difficult time for a number of tribes.
While laws were created to limit these celebrations by Native American communities, many tribes continued to gather together to practice cultural aspects of the tribes in secret. As a result, new pow wows began taking place in the Great Lakes region by the 19th century. After which, the celebrations began to spread across the United States with different tribes celebrating and holding pow wows on an annual basis.
Planning and organizing this type of event often begins several months up to a year before an event. In most cases, a organizational and planning committee consist of tribal leaders. Whereas, sponsors often include Native American clubs, communities, organizations and Native American Studies programs at different colleges and universities.
The committee consist of several individuals whom do all the planning prior to a gathering. In many cases, if there is a sponsor, committee members are often part of the sponsoring organization. One area in which the committee is always responsible is in recruiting and hiring staff, publicizing the event, securing a location and recruiting vendors.
Staff members run the day to day operations of the event and work alongside volunteers. Individuals hired as staff members are often hired months in advance in order to train and learn about different assignments. Whereas, volunteers are often placed in different areas upon arrival at the event.
While most of these events have an arena director whom works to assure all goes well during the gathering, not all events have an assistant director. When this is the case, the arena director also takes on the role of the assistant which works to assure all ceremonies, dances and other aspects of the gathering go as planned.
In the case of events which hold contests, most arena directors ask a different individual to act as head judge. For, it is important that judges have no special bias towards contestants. As such, if the arena director were to know contestants from the local tribe hosting the pow wow, any votes for those individuals could be considered a conflict of interest.
The first pow wows were public dances akin to those performed at gatherings which now take place around the United States. Originally, the events were an ongoing practice among tribes in the Great Plains, with most taking place during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. As the United States had began fragmenting various tribes in an effort to acquire Native American lands for economic exploration and growth, it was a difficult time for a number of tribes.
While laws were created to limit these celebrations by Native American communities, many tribes continued to gather together to practice cultural aspects of the tribes in secret. As a result, new pow wows began taking place in the Great Lakes region by the 19th century. After which, the celebrations began to spread across the United States with different tribes celebrating and holding pow wows on an annual basis.
Planning and organizing this type of event often begins several months up to a year before an event. In most cases, a organizational and planning committee consist of tribal leaders. Whereas, sponsors often include Native American clubs, communities, organizations and Native American Studies programs at different colleges and universities.
The committee consist of several individuals whom do all the planning prior to a gathering. In many cases, if there is a sponsor, committee members are often part of the sponsoring organization. One area in which the committee is always responsible is in recruiting and hiring staff, publicizing the event, securing a location and recruiting vendors.
Staff members run the day to day operations of the event and work alongside volunteers. Individuals hired as staff members are often hired months in advance in order to train and learn about different assignments. Whereas, volunteers are often placed in different areas upon arrival at the event.
While most of these events have an arena director whom works to assure all goes well during the gathering, not all events have an assistant director. When this is the case, the arena director also takes on the role of the assistant which works to assure all ceremonies, dances and other aspects of the gathering go as planned.
In the case of events which hold contests, most arena directors ask a different individual to act as head judge. For, it is important that judges have no special bias towards contestants. As such, if the arena director were to know contestants from the local tribe hosting the pow wow, any votes for those individuals could be considered a conflict of interest.
About the Author:
Check out the official website of the highly acclaimed musicians, the Native American Pow Wows, by referring to this web page at http://www.thunderingspiritfamily.com/performers.
No comments:
Post a Comment