A SIGNIFICANT GATHERING
The PowWow is an American Indian gathering focusing on dance, song and family celebration. Traditionally, it is a celebration presented by one tribe or band to welcome and honor others. PowWows are usually three day weekend events and people may travel great distances to attend. The main PowWow season is summer (traditionally beginning with a PowWow in March in Denver), however there has been a resurgence of PowWows in the last decade, making it possible to attend a Powwow every weekend year round in North America. All people (including non-Indian people) are welcome at PowWows and are encouraged to attend one, as experiencing a PowWow can be a valuable and fascinating cultural experience for non-Indian people unfamiliar with our neighbors, the Indian people.
There are several different kinds of PowWows, though the two most common are known as traditional and competition PowWows, respectively. In traditional Powwows everyone who participates in the dance or singing programs is awarded day money. While there is still a degree of competition in the dancing events, it is somewhat informal and ceremonies such as honorings, giveaways, "first" dances and adoptions are also important activities of the day. A competition PowWow, on the other hand, has significant prize money available for the dancers, depending upon the resources available to the individual host tribe. While everyone can still compete and dance, only the dancers who place near the top of the competition receive prize money. Drum groups also compete for prize money.
