While Indian tribes first became well distinguished during the civil war, most have become better known since that time. As the cultural and historical aspects of Native Americans are not generally taught in public schools, most individuals learn about this history through various events such as annual gatherings held by different tribes. While Native american pow wows are quite popular, there are several tribes whom have claimed to have hosted the first pow wow.
Public dances were often the primary aspects of the first pow wows which resemble gatherings now taking place. These events were a common practice in the Great Plains area of the United States, with most gatherings taking place during the late 19th and early 20th century. It was a challenging time for the tribes as the United States had torn apart many Native American communities in hopes of acquiring land for capitalist and economic exploitation.
The United States even created a law to limit when and how tribes could gather to celebrate various aspects of Native culture. While this is the case, many tribes continued to meet and hold celebrations in secret. After which, the celebrations led to new pow wows in the Great Lakes region and eventually across the country with many taking place on an annual basis.
Organizing and planning such an event now begins months, if not a year in advance by a group of people who make up an organizational committee. Many of these gatherings are sponsored by Native American clubs, communities and organizations. Whereas, others might be sponsored by specific tribes or Native American Studies programs such as the one located at Humboldt State University in Northern California.
The committee often consists of these tribal leaders along with several individuals whom plan all the events associated with a pow wow. In most cases, if there are sponsors, committee members are selected from the sponsoring organizations. In addition to planning and organizing, the committee is also in charge of hiring staff, training, recruiting vendors, securing a location and publicizing the event.
Staff members run the day to day operations of the event and work alongside volunteers. Individuals hired as staff members are often hired months in advance in order to train and learn about different assignments. Whereas, volunteers are often placed in different areas upon arrival at the event.
Most pow wows have an arena director whom is in charge during the event. Sometimes known as a whip man, the whip man is the director's assistant though there are a number of gatherings which do not have a whip man. When this is the case, the arena director often takes on the role of assistant and director.
In the case of gatherings which host contests, most of the events have someone other than the arena director act as the primary judge. Whereas, the arena director is in charge of organizing any ceremonies such as eagle feather dropping, marriage ceremonies, rites of passage and others.
Public dances were often the primary aspects of the first pow wows which resemble gatherings now taking place. These events were a common practice in the Great Plains area of the United States, with most gatherings taking place during the late 19th and early 20th century. It was a challenging time for the tribes as the United States had torn apart many Native American communities in hopes of acquiring land for capitalist and economic exploitation.
The United States even created a law to limit when and how tribes could gather to celebrate various aspects of Native culture. While this is the case, many tribes continued to meet and hold celebrations in secret. After which, the celebrations led to new pow wows in the Great Lakes region and eventually across the country with many taking place on an annual basis.
Organizing and planning such an event now begins months, if not a year in advance by a group of people who make up an organizational committee. Many of these gatherings are sponsored by Native American clubs, communities and organizations. Whereas, others might be sponsored by specific tribes or Native American Studies programs such as the one located at Humboldt State University in Northern California.
The committee often consists of these tribal leaders along with several individuals whom plan all the events associated with a pow wow. In most cases, if there are sponsors, committee members are selected from the sponsoring organizations. In addition to planning and organizing, the committee is also in charge of hiring staff, training, recruiting vendors, securing a location and publicizing the event.
Staff members run the day to day operations of the event and work alongside volunteers. Individuals hired as staff members are often hired months in advance in order to train and learn about different assignments. Whereas, volunteers are often placed in different areas upon arrival at the event.
Most pow wows have an arena director whom is in charge during the event. Sometimes known as a whip man, the whip man is the director's assistant though there are a number of gatherings which do not have a whip man. When this is the case, the arena director often takes on the role of assistant and director.
In the case of gatherings which host contests, most of the events have someone other than the arena director act as the primary judge. Whereas, the arena director is in charge of organizing any ceremonies such as eagle feather dropping, marriage ceremonies, rites of passage and others.
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Check out the official website of the highly acclaimed musicians, the Native American Pow Wows, by referring to this web page at http://www.thunderingspiritfamily.com/performers.