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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1995)
Page 10 August 1,1995 Smoke Signals Friday, August 18 6 p.m.: Royalty Pageant 8 p.m.: Open Drumming and Dancing Saturday, August 19 7 a.m.: Breakfast 7 a.m.: Volksmarche 8:30 a.m.: Fun RunWalk Activities Begin 9 a.m.: Craft and Food Booths Open 9 a.m.: Co-Ed Softball Tournament at Grand Ronde Elementary School 10 a.m.: Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament at the Pow-wow Grounds 11 a.m.: Parade Everyone is welcome to join the parade. If you have horses or old cars, come join the-fun. There will be prizes for different divisions. Noon: Tribal Meal 1 p.m.: Grand Entry 6 p.m.: Grand Entry Sunday, August 20 7 a.m.: Breakfast 1 p.m.: Grand Entry PARKING & CAMPING: Parking will include a raffle ticket for a drawing to be held at the Pow-wow. There will also be two additional RV campgrounds set up for people who want to camp. DIRECTIONS: Travel west on Hwy. 18 to Grand Ronde, turn right on Grand Ronde Road (at the Bonanza Restau rant) and go one mile (tribal grounds on the left). Approxi mately 30 miles west of Salem; 25 miles west ofMcMinnville; or 20 miles east of Lincoln City. PUBLIC IS WELCOME NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL PERMITTED Tips for enjoying the Pow-wow, without offending or distracting Pow-wows are celebrations, social gatherings and friendly dance competitions. But, as with the sacred thread that runs through all of life, there are sacred traditions to be found in this coming together of people. There is a circle in most dances, representing the circle of unity, the cycle of life. Dancers often follow the clockwise pattern of the sun. Some of the costumes or ornaments signify special events or honors in a person's life, or special religious tra ditions. Everyone is welcome at a pow-wow, regardless of tribe non-Indians too. For new comers to these colorful events, a bit of explanation may enhance the enjoyment and understanding. When the eagle staff is brought in during the grand entry, everyone stands. Hats are removed in respect. That same respect is shown should an eagle feather fall during the dancing. Everything must stop until a proper returning of the feather has been per formed. Pointing with a finger, par ticularly the index finger, is considered impolite. It's best to indicate a person or direc tion by pursing the lips and pointing with the eyes or to nod in that direction. As with most events involv ing concentration, camera flashes can be distracting. Ask permission before snap ping an individual's photo graph outside the dancing, for this is private time. Some pow-wows are more restric tive than others in terms of photographing the event. Do not bother the perform ers or stand in front of those preparing to dance or those singing. Don't touch any costumes. Ornaments have special meanings. Many of the hand made outfits, which can cost thousands of dollars, are cher ished and sometimes are made by a respected family member. Frequently they are heirlooms and may be very delicate. Feel free to join in the in tertribal dances on invitation of the master of ceremonies. As with the grass dance, other 'dances have legends or tradi tions connected with them. Dances are either for men or women and competitions generally are divided into age categories. Reprinted in part from Indian Country Today. Whistles: the controversy heats RAPID CITY Their use at pow-wows throughout In dian country is becoming more and more controversial. Whistles, once owned by few and hardly ever used, are now seen in abundance and are used, according to some, too frequently. Cheyenee River Sioux El der, Sidney Keith explained the difference between whistles for pow-wows and those for ceremonies, or Sun Dances. "The whistle man at a pow wow carries special meaning, he's not just anybody. He has to be selected. A spiritual leader or medicine man has to choose him. At a pow wow there are only three or four whistle men," he said. It is a great honor to be a whistle man and that the whistle is very sacred. He ex plained that whistle men have to blow the whistle four times during a song and that they have to know a song very well to blow it at the right time. Norman Roach, a well known fancy-dancer from the Cheyuenne River Sioux Res ervation, is also concerned about whistles. "What's going wrong is, to day anybody can get a whistle and not have to earn it. It doesn't seem like some are blowing for the people, but they're blowing for them selves. This is becoming a real controversial thing." He added that the meaning of a giveaway for some whistle blowers is getting lost. "This is considered a very sacred act. It used to be fol lowed by a large giveaway, as it was explained to me. Now-a-days, people blow the whistle and giveaway $5. The giveaway is supposed to be big," he said. "Young people need to be taught the meaning of the whistle and who can use them. They need to under stand the sacredness." Submitted by Paul Whitehead. Reprinted in part from Indian Coun try Today.
