Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 Origins of Powwow Culture
Colonization 10
The Indian Act and the Pass System 11
The Wild West Shows 15
Fall Fairs 18
A Growing Powwow Culture 21
Banned No Longer 21
Twelve Months a Year 22
My Father's Story 25
Chapter 2 What Is Powwow Culture?
The Powwow Grounds 30
The Emcee 31
The Grand Entry 32
Competition 34
The Giveaway 36
Stories 37
Restoring Kinship 38
Chapter 3 Powwow Songs and Dances
Drums 42
The Drum 43
Dance Categories and Styles 44
Men's Traditional Dance 45
Men's Fancy Dance 47
Men's Grass Dance 48
Women's Traditional Dance 49
Women's Fancy Shawl Dance 50
Women's Jingle Dress Dance 52
Intertribal and Social Dances 54
My Drum Story 56
Chapter 4 Powwows from Coast to Coast
Central Canada 60
The Canadian Prairies 62
The American Northern Plains 65
The Pacific Northwest 66
The Southwest 67
The East 69
The Midwest 70
Attending a Powwow 70
A Final Word from the Author 72
Glossary 74
Resources 76
Index 78
Acknowledgments 81