Powwows 2000 - 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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ALL FOOLS DAY POWWOW
Date:
 April 1st, 2000
Venue:
 Cliftonville Middle School, Cliftonville, Northampton
Organisers:
 Crazy Drumsticks. Tel. Steve or Ceclia Allen on 01525 377951
Host Drum:
 Crazy Drumsticks
MC:
 To be advised
Gates open:
 11.00 am
Grand Entry:
 1.00 pm
Admission:
 £2.00 - children under 14 - FREE
Traders:
 £10 per table payable in advance. Tel. Steve or Ceclia Allen on 01525 377951
Features:
 Food. Raffle.
 
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12th GLASTONBURY POWWOW
Date:
 April 15th 2000
Venue:
 Crispin School Hall, Strode College Campus, Street (Near Glastonbury)
Organisers:
 Tel. Loné on 01458 835416 or Robert on 01458 223049
Host Drum:
 Centreland Singers
MC:
 Leo Woods
Gates open:
 11.30 am
Grand Entry:
 1.00 pm
Admission:
 Adults - £2.00 - Children & OAP's - £0.50 - Under 7's - FREE
Traders:
 £10 per table plus item for raffle
Features:
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HO KOLAH POWWOW
Date:
 Saturday May 27th, 2000
Venue:
 Conwy Civic Centre, Conwy, North Wales
Organisers:
 Irene or Mike. For further details tel 01492 874 886. For directions if you have trouble on the day call 0795 7949077 or 0771 4595479
Host Drum:
 Centreland Singers and Crazy Drumsticks
MC:
 Kim Oakshot
Gates open:
 10.00 am
Grand Entry:
 1.00 pm
Admission:
 £2.50 - children under 14 - FREE
Traders:
 £10 per table plus raffle item. Advance bookings only. Tel Irene or Mike on 01492 874 886
Features:
 Raffle. Refreshments
 
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6th ANNUAL POWWOW
AT THE BISON FARM
Date:
 Saturday July 8th, 2000 (Workshops on July 7th and 9th)
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:
 Centreland Singers
MC:
 Keith Lord
Gates open:
 11.00 am (Sunday 9th)
Grand Entry:
 2.30 pm (Sunday 9th)
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. Costume wearers and Tipi campers have free entry. No dogs.

NEW for 2000 - The Powwow itself is on Saturday 8th and the extra days (Friday and Sunday) are Workshop days for Craftwork. Dancing and singing will be available on these days. The fee for the workshops is £10 per person per session payable in advance. For further details of the workshops please contact Val and John on 01255 880431
 
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EAGLE BEAR POWWOW
Date:
 July 29th 2000
Venue:
 Wattlehurst Farm, On the A24 Dorking Road, Kingsfold, Nr. Horsham, W. Sussex
Organisers:
 Tel. Doc on 01322 386423
Host Drum:
 Centreland Singers
MC:
 Keith Lord
Gates open:
 11.00 am
Grand Entry:
 2.00 pm
Admission:
 Adults - £3.50 - Under 14's - FREE (includes entry to Farm)
Traders:
 £10 per table plus item for raffle
Features:
 Farm animals, raffle, refreshments, toilets, children's play area.
Camping available for Tipis, tents and caravans at £5 per day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
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FIFTH ANCESTORS POWWOW
Date:
 August 12th 2000
Venue:
 Heathsedge, Abbey Road, Dover, Kent
Organisers:
 Barry & Sue Carter, 33 St. Georges Crescent, Aycliffe Estate, Dover, CT17 9HW. Tel. 01304 241091
Host Drum:
 Centreland Singers - All Drums welcome
MC:
 Kim Oakeshott
Gates open:
 To be advised
Grand Entry:
 To be advised
Admission:
 Adults - £3.00 Children under 16 - £1.50
Traders:
 £10 per table booked and paid for in advance - £15 on the day. Donation to raffle expected. Tables not supplied.
Features:

Usual powwow style held in honour of our ancestors and those who have departed during the year. Run along traditional lines for those who follow the ways of the Native Americans. Strictly no alcohol or drugs.
Week long camping. Camping is available from Friday 3rd August . Camp fees - £4 per unit per night or £20 for the week booked and paid in advance. Tipi poles can be supplied on request but only if 4 months notice given to organisers.
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CIKSUYE POWWOW
Date:
 October 7th, 2000 (to be confirmed)
Venue:
 Chenderit School, Middleton Cheney,Banbury, Oxfordshire (to be confirmed)
Organisers:
 Derek Robbins, 9 Main Street, Great Bourton, Banbury, Oxon
OX17 1QU
Host Drum:
 To be advised
MC:
 To be advised
Gates open:
 To be advised
Grand Entry:
 To be advised
Admission:
 To be advised
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.
 
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24th VETERANS POWWOW
Date:
 November 11th, 2000 (to be confirmed)
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:
 Crazy Drumstick Singers - Centreland Singers
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 (to be confirmed)
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.
 
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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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Silverhawk Creations
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