Powwows 1999 - Graphics from Silverhawk


   The Powwows and other events listed here are generally not Native American run but in most cases do adhere strictly to traditional Native American custom (usually based on Lakota traditions). The regalia of the dancers is of mixed style with many completely authentic outfits, the MC ensures that due respect is given to ceremonies and etiquette and the events are held so that non-Native Americans can share in these unique traditions. Anyone is welcome to attend these Powwows providing that they show due respect to the customs and traditions being honoured. An example of the rules of etiquette is given below.

   If you care about Native American culture you will be most welcome at any of these events. You will see some fabulous outfits, be able to buy some great Native American related stuff (we will be at most of these events) and will have a great day out.

   There are relatively few Powwows in the UK so these details will remain here for most of the year and I will add reviews of those we have attended. This way, if you miss an event you will know what to look out for next year.
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PETER WEBB
MEMORIAL POWWOW
Date:
March 13th, 1999
Venue:
Walsall Campus, Wolverhampton University
Organisers:
 Traders - tel. 0121 552 1027; Local Routes - tel. 01922 624103; Flyers - tel. 01384 372467
Host Drum:
Centreland Singers
MC:
Kim Oakeshott
Gates open:
12.00 noon
Grand Entry:
1.30 pm
Admission:
£2.00
Traders:
Tel. 0121 552 1027
Features:
A traditional Lakota style event using traditions that have, and are being introduced. This is a 'one-off' event in memory of Peter Webb who died in 1996
fanReview
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NATIVE AMERICAN
AWARENESS DAY

Date:
March 21st, 1999
Venue:
Barnet Countryside Centre, Barnet, Herts
Organisers:
Dave and Beryl Holt on behalf of The Friends of Barnet Countryside Centre. Tel. 0181 440 9039
Gates open:
11.00 am to 5.00 pm
Admission:
Adults - £1.00 Children 50p - under 3 - FREE
Traders:
Contact Beryl Holt on 0181 440 9039
Features:
This is not a traditional Powwow but an event held to help make the general public more aware of Native American culture and customs. There will be talks by a Native American during the day, children's activities based of Native American games of skill, a number of tipi's pitched for your inspection, a raffle with all proceeds going to Native American Organisations plus the usual refreshments including a barbecue and Native American Fry Bread! A selection of traders will be present enabling visitors to purchase souvenirs or more traditional items. This may be the ideal introduction for anyone who has not yet attended a Powwow.
fanReview with tipi pics
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11th GLASTONBURY POWWOW

Date:
March 27th, 1999
Venue:
Crispin School Hall, Strode College Campus, Street, Somerset
Organisers:
Telephone Loné on 01458 835416
Host Drum:
Centreland Singers- All Drums welcome
MC:
To be advised
Gates open:
11.30 am
Grand Entry:
1.00 pm
Admission:
Adults - £2.00 - Children and OAP's £0.50 - Under 7's - FREE
Traders:
Tel. Loné as above
fanReview with pictures
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5th ANNUAL POWWOW
AT THE BISON FARM

Date:
July 10th, 1999
Venue:
Bush Farm Bison Centre, West Knoyle, Wiltshire
Organisers:
Colin and Penny Ellis, Bush Farm Bison Centre, West Knoyle, Wiltshire BA12 6AE. Tel. 01747 830263
Host Drum:
Crazy Drumsticks - All other Drums welcome
MC:
Keith Lord
Gates open:
11.00 am
Grand Entry:
2.30 pm
Admission:
Adults £3.50 - Children £1.00. Admission includes entry to farm and woodlands.
Traders:
Tel. Colin or Penny Ellis on 01747 830263
Features:
This has to be the finest venue for a Powwow in the United Kingdom! Imagine a dance arena with tipis in the background and away on the hillside beyond, a free-roaming herd of Bison! Yes, this really is England but you'll hardly believe it! The Bison Farm is one of the few farms in this country which specialise in commercial farming of bison. You can see bison at close hand in the pens near the farm or see the herd in the pastures. There is a superb gallery with paintings related to the Bison and to other Native American related subjects with a several items for sale. You can take home a Bison steak or a Bison burger! Camping is available for the weekend in the woods (£5 per pitch, per night), where there are also nature walks. A campfire and barbecue will be held from 7.30 pm. Costume wearers and Tipi campers have free entry. No dogs. If the weather is fine this will be one of the most memorable days of the summer.
fanReview
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TRERULEFOOT TIPI CAMP

Date:
1st August, 1999 to 27th August 1999
Venue:
Trerulefoot, Cornwall
Organisers:
Pauline Brooks - 01752 851206
Gates open:
12.00 noon - 8.00pm
Admission:
Adults £2.50 - Children £1.00
Features:
An 'Educational Tipi Village' with around 30 tipis, trade stalls, educational audio and video tapes, non-professional entertaiment. All proceeds from this event go to Red Scaffold Head Start School, South Dakota
fanReview with tipi pics
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THE SUNSHINE POWWOW

Date:
August 29th 1999
Venue:
Askam Village School Field, Cumbria
Organisers:
Charlie & Irene, 77 School Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 1EJ. Tel. 01229 811265
Host Drum:
Centreland Singers - All Drums welcome
MC:
Keith Lord
Gates open:
11.30 am
Grand Entry:
1.30 pm
Admission:
Adults - £2.00 - Under 16's £1.00 - Under 7's - FREE
Traders:
£10 per table booked and paid for in advance. Donation for raffle greatly appreciated.
Features:
Traditional dancers, Fancy Dancers, Hoop Dancers, Ladies Traditional, Fancy Shawl, Jingle Dress and Blanket Dance. Raffle and refreshments. Camping.
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FOURTH ANCESTORS POWWOW

Date:
September 4th, 1999
Venue:
Sandwich Leisure Centre, Sandwich, Kent
Organisers:
Barry & Sue Carter, 33 St. Georges Crescent, Aycliffe Estate, Dover, CT17 9HW. Tel. 01304 241091
Host Drum:
Thunderheart - All Drums welcome
MC:
Kim Oakeshott
Gates open:
11.00 am
Grand Entry:
1.00 pm
Admission:
Adults - £2.50 Children under 16 - £1.00 under 7's - FREE
Traders:
£10 per table booked and paid for in advance - £15 on the day. Donation to raffle expected.
Features:
Usual powwow style held in honour of our ancestors and those who have departed during the year
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CIKSUYE POWWOW

Date:
October 2nd 1999
Venue:
Chenderit School, Middleton Cheney,Banbury, Oxfordshire
Organisers:
Derek Robbins, 9 Main Street, Great Bourton, Banbury, Oxon
OX17 1QU
Host Drum:
Centreland Singers
MC:
Kim Oakshott
Gates open:
11.00 am
Grand Entry:
1.00pm
Admission:
£2.50
Traders:
£10 per table plus donation to raffle. Contact Derek Robbins on 01295 750935 (weekends only)
Features:
The Ciksuye Powwow follows the format of a contemporary Lakota Powwow. Rumours are that there will be Native American dancers at this event.
fanReview with pictures
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24th VETERANS POWWOW

Date:
November 13th, 1999
Venue:
Cliftonville Middle School, Cliftonville Road, Northampton
Organisers:
The PowWow Committee c/o 50 Ermine Road, Rectory Farm, Northampton, NN3 5ES. Tel. 01604 412542/414155
Host Drum:
Grand entry song by Crazy Drumstick Singers - Flag Song and Veterans Song by Centreland Singers - joint Host Drums
MC:
Kim Oakeshott and Keith Lord
Gates open:
11.00 am
Grand Entry:
1.00 pm
Admission:
Adults - £2.00 Elders (OAP's) and under 14's - FREE
Traders:
£15.00 per table booked in advance
Features:
 The largest Powwow of the year with strict rules for participants. This event is unique in that is competition based with dancers competing in various categories for prizes. If you want to learn more about the various dance styles this is the best powwow to attend.
fanReview with pictures
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MADCAP POWWOW

Date:
November 27th, 1999
Venue:
Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes
Organisers:
Tel. 01752 845092 for details
Host Drum:
To be advised
MC:
To be advised
Gates open:
11.00 am
Grand Entry:
2.00 pm
Admission:
Adults - £2.00 under 12's - FREE
Traders:
£10.00 per table. Tel. 01908 311587
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The following 'rules of etiquette' come from the Peter Webb Memorial Powwow held in March, 1999 but apply equally to all powwows.


VISITORS AND SPECTATORS

WELCOME!

We consider you to be an integral and important part of the Powwow, as much esteemed as the dancers and singers.

Even though you are not wearing Native American tribal costume you may still dance in the Round Dance, the Social Dances and in any Honour Dances. Please listen to the announcements for these. However, the Grand Entry and the Intertribal Dances are only open to those who are wearing costume.


ETIQUETTE

Please stand for the Grand Entry and remain standing for the two songs which follow it - the Flag Song (Sioux National Anthem) and the Veterans Song. Again, please stand for any Honour songs which are announced during the Powwow and also, please stand during the Retreat Ceremony at the end of the day. Gentlemen remove hats at these times and while any traditional songs are being sung.

Do not sit at, or near, the Drum unless invited to do so by the Lead Singer.

Please supervise children closely and do not let them wander into, or play in, the dancing area.

All alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden at the Powwow - as they are at all Powwows everywhere.

Please respect any requests that may be made of you by the M.C. or members of the Powwow Committee as this ensures that the day passes in the usual relaxed and friendly manner which brings such delight to all the people.

MITAKUYE OYAS'IN!


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The following are the rules for the Veterans Powwow

ORDER FOR GRAND ENTRY

  1. Flag Bearers
  2. Veterans
  3. Eagle Feather Bonnet Wearers Only
  4. Male Traditional Dancers
  5. Male Straight Dancers
  6. Male Grass Dancers
  7. Male Fancy Dancers
  8. Women Traditional Dancers
  9. Women's Jingle Dress Dancers
  10. Women's Fancy Shawl Dancers
  11. Children's Categories
  12. Non Eagle Feather Bonnet Wearers

HONOUR DANCE REQUESTS

If you wish to sponsor and Honour Dance, please contact the Powwow committee prior to the Powwow so that time may be allotted for your event. Please note it is traditional to sponsor a singing team to sing the Honour Song. Due to time restriction we will not be able to honour your request on the day unless it has been prearranged.


PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT GUIDELINES

  1. If you are not wearing an outfit you are not permitted to join in the dancing except for Honour Dances and Round Dances or when specially invited to do so by the announcer. During Intertribal Dances you may join in only if you carry a blanket if you are a man or a shawl if you are women. Singers are permitted to dance so long as they carry their drumstick. There are no exceptions to this rule!
  2. Do not wear bustles with bonnets.
  3. Do not 'Fancy' dance while wearing a bonnet, bonnet wearers walk in time to the drum!
  4. Do not 'Fancy' dance if wearing a traditional outfit. This applies to men and women.
  5. Do not carry a weapon whilst dancing, the risk of injury to another person is too great.
  6. If you are wearing a particular outfit but do not know the dance style for that outfit, simply step in time to the drum and watch others of the same category to learn. Make a note of the competition winners and watch them.
  7. Please listen to the announcements, some dances are not for general participation. Your intrusion at the wrong point in an Honour Dance may cause upset.
These guidelines are issued so that you may appreciate and enjoy the Powwow more fully.

The Powwow is an alcohol and drug free zone.

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