THE POWWOW TRAIL: WEB LISTINGS AND RESOURCES
Compiled by Meghan J. Ward and Marie-Eve Marchand
In Volume 3 of the Canadian Rockies Annual, Colette Derworiz profiles the Powwow Trail, the series of powwows that occur across Alberta, British Columbia and parts of the United States. As she describes in the article, “They are open to everyone, including non-Aboriginal people from any culture.” As powwows aren’t widely advertised, we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you connect with a powwow happening near you.
LISTINGS
1/ Powwow.com
Powwow.com includes a calendar of pow wows across Canada and USA, as well as more resources about pow wows.
2/ Pow Wow Trail on Facebook
Follow this page for up-to-date listings and posters for pow wows in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
3/ Pow Wow and Round Dance Listings Group on Facebook
Join this group to stay informed on upcoming pow wows and round dances and to share information, such as posters, events, weather, road conditions, accommodations.
4/ Alberta Native News
Alberta Native News is the province’s first non- government funded native newspaper, and it includes some information on pow wows.
5/ Indigenous Tourism Canada
This great resource covers Canada, Indigenous Tourism Canada has a calendar of activities and events you can search by date, region and type.
6/ Wind Speaker
Owned and operated by the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta, Wind Speaker is an excellent source for Aboriginal news, issues, and culture.
FIRST POWWOW?
The following is an excerpt from The Powwow Trail, by Colette Derworiz:
First powwow? Here’s some advice:
Be respectful.
Don’t sit in areas marked for elders, people with disabilities or in the drum pit, which is reserved for drummers and dancers. These areas are identified with signs.
Learn and listen. The master of ceremonies and the powwow elder will explain all.
Ask before taking photos. It’s OK to take photos during Grand Entry and most dances.
Stand and remove hats during Grand Entry, honour songs, veteran songs or when an eagle feather is being retrieved from the dance circle.
Don’t pick up any eagle feathers that fall. There is a procedure that must be followed.
Drums should not be recorded without the permission of the drum group; certain dances also shouldn’t be recorded or photographed (listen to the MC).
Feel free to join the intertribal dances, which will be announced.
Refer to the dancers’ outfits as regalia, not costumes.
Do not touch a dancer’s regalia as it may have spiritual significance.
No drugs or alcohol. You will be asked to leave immediately.
Wear appropriate clothing (long pants or dresses).
Bring your own lawn chair for outdoor events.
Leave your pet, unless it’s a guide dog, at home.
Keep the powwow ground clean.
Find a copy of Vol. 3 of the Canadian Rockies Annual here