The Evolution and Continuation of Powwows in Native American Communities

Abstract

The Powwow is generally associated with the indigenous peoples of North America. The Powwow is a cultural tradition of Native American communities that has been celebrated for centuries. Native Americans have reappropriated the word, limiting the meaning to a primarily secular event involving group singing and ballroom dancing. Although there are various types of Powwows, today, the focus is always on a dance competition organized by class, gender, and age that attracts hundreds to tens of thousands of people. This paper focuses on the significant annual Powwows held on Native American reservations that bring together people from diverse Native American groups and geographic regions, the significance of Powwows, and the future of Powwows.