Chief Leschi Powwow

On special occasions, our school sponsors a powwow to provide an opportunity for our children and community members to join us in the promotion of our Native American heritage.  This is the perfect opportunity for our students to show the dance steps they have practiced during "Circle".  Some students participate in the competition dancing or dance for the fun of it.  Others prefer to practice singing with drum groups or simply meet friends and watch.  Many dancers and singers from local communities and nearby reservations often come to join us.  Our powwow's are open to everyone and the public is always welcome to attend.

In November 1997, during the N.I.E.A. (National Indian Education Association) Conference, our school hosted a powwow on the first night of the convention.   This was a chance for visitors of all tribes to tour our new school and to enjoy the festivities.  This was the largest N.I.E.A. pow wow ever hosted to date.  It was held at the Tacoma Dome and it was one  the largest gathering of people that attended an event at this facility.

History of the Powwow

The word "powwow" is a term that came from the Narrganseet Tribe referring to a curing ceremony. They spoke an eastern Alqonquian language and were originally located in the Northeastern part of the United States. When "powwow" was translated into the English language, it was thought to refer to an Indian gathering or "to confer in council".

It is believed that the origin of powwow’s came from the war dance, in which warrior societies from the Kansa, Omaha and Ponca tribes, participated in special honoring ceremonies to recognize heroic war deeds or other honorable acts. This ceremony was exclusive to men, although it is recorded that in some tribes, some women were recognized as warriors and participated in battle.  This gave them the right to dance in war dances. Otherwise, women participated in a supportive role by dancing at the outer edges of the dance circle. A fire was usually built and the honoring ceremony was performed nearby.

In the 1860’s this ceremony spread to other tribes and was called the Omaha Dance and sometimes the Grass Dance. It was referred to the Grass Dance because the dancers wore braided stands of sweet grass in their bustles. 

In 1890, another dance was introduced to tribes by a Pauite Indian named Wovoka, from Nevada. This dance was the Ghost Dance, a part of a religious movement, in which the dancers believed that the Ghost Dance would bring back the buffalo and the old way of life (before the coming of the Europeans).   On December 29, 1890, over two hundred Lakota men, women, elders and children, were massacred at Wounded Knee, SD, because of this dance.  The U.S. Government had banned the performance of this dance and ordered all Indians in non-compliance to be put under arrest.  Chief Big Foot and his band were placed under arrest and were being disarmed, when a struggle ensued.  This was enough for soldiers to open fire on all the Indians in captivity.  

After this massacre, it was very difficult for Native Americans to continue their religious and social dances.  Native Americans began performing their dances in secret for many years.  When World War I, World War II and the Korean War broke out, many Native American men went to war and fought for the United States of America.  Upon the return of these veterans, honoring dances were performed for them.  It was a proud and joyous time for the families of these warriors.  Soon dances were performed more openly and our dances and ceremonies continue to this day.

Although many of the religious aspects of the ceremonies are no longer done at powwow's there are still some traditional ceremonies done.  A ceremony that has religious significance that is still performed at powwow's,  is the traditional "naming ceremony.  This ceremony is often conducted in small community halls and family gatherings, rather than being done at a large celebration.   Another ceremony that is still being done today is the dropped eagle feather ceremony. Overall, the powwow still retains some of the ceremonial aspects of the original war dance.

Some major changes:   women being allowed to participate in the war dancing, dance outfit modifications and the inclusion of competition dancing, drum contests, special dance performances, admission fees, hand game tournaments, food stands, softball tournaments and arts and craft booths.

Although the powwow has evolved and changed, the feelings of honor, pride and self-identity still remains strong.  Somewhere, at any given weekend in the U.S.A and Canada, there is a powwow celebration going on, in Indian Country.

Want to learn more about today's powwow's?