MARCH 15, 1999
It is hard for some of us to think about pow-wow season now, especially
when the winter wind and rain is still upon us. But pretty soon it will get
warmer, and it will be time to start planning. For the next few months,
Smoke Signals will run a series of articles about pow-wows and some of the
traditions behind them. This month, we will focus on the different competi
tion dances one might see at a pow-wow.
COMPETITION .DANCES
FANCY DANCE: The men's Fancy Dance evolved when pow-wows be
gan to be open to the public and competition dancing began. It is said to
have originated in Oklahoma. This dance is often referred to as the "war
dance." The Fancy Dancer is easily identified by his brilliant regalia and
double bustle of feathers. One bustle is hung from straps at the waist. The
other is mounted on blocks of wood or other sturdy bracing and suspended
between shoulder blades. On their heads they usually wear a headband
and a roach of porcupine quills that carries a spinner with one or two feath
ers resting inside. The Fancy Dance features leaps, spins, and fast foot
work, all in time to the drum.
FANCY SHAWL DANCE: This is a woman's dance which began in the
1930s, making a new tradition in competition dancing. The movement of
the shawl in a dance resembles butterfly wings. The steps of the dance are
fast and athletic, with the focus on spins and twirls with the shawls. An
expert Fancy Shawl Dancer appears to never touch the ground, as her
footwork is so light and fast, and her body so fluid. Again, her feet must
move in rhythm with the tempo of the drum, stopping and starting when it
does. She must end her dance on the last beat with both feet on the ground
and her arms at her side.
GRASS DANCE: The Grass Dance is the most beautiful and graceful of
all the men's dances. It emphasizes, fluid body motions which extend into
the legs and feet to emulate waving prairie grass. The mark of an expert
Grass Dancer is his ability to keep his head nodding from side to side or up
and down, in time to the drum beat, in order to keep the feathers on his
headdress constantly spinning. It is an original, free-form dance. The Grass
Dancer's regalia is made up of an ornate yoke which slips over the head
and rests on the shoulders from which hangs flowing yarn. The dancer
wears a belt, beaded moccasins, beaded wrist cuffs, and a bandana around
his head topped with a porcupine roach. Upon the roach rests a spinner
with two feathers. It is said that the two feathers represent two braves
returning to their village, telling stories of their adventures.
JINGLE DRESS DANCE: The design of the jingle dress follows in
structions given to an Ojibwa holy man in a dream. The regalia and dance
quickly spread across the Ojibwa Nation, and throughout Indian Country.
The dress itself is made of fabric, and covered from shoulder to hem with
hundreds of jingles. These jingles or cones are sometimes arranged in a
design or pattern. The dancers wear beaded or silver concho belts, beaded
moccasins and matching leggings, a scarf, bag or pouch over the arm, and
a fan made of feathers.
TRADITIONAL DANCES: These dances are as ancient as Native people
themselves. The male dancers represent warriors as they prepare for the
hunt and for battle as they return to dance the stories of their adventures.
The face paint and body paint represent the highly personal statement of
the dancer. The footwork represents ancient traditions of each tribe.
As with the men, the Women's Traditional Dance is as old as the history of
Native dancing. In the ancient days, women danced in a circle at the outer
edge of the arena, so they could keep watch over the safety of the village
while the men were dancing.
Reprinted from The Pow-wow Trail, by Julia C. White
CD
GS3SB
Royalty Court Application
Now is the time to start thinking
about joining the Grand Ronde Roy
alty Court!
Participating in the Royalty Court
is an excellent chance for young
tribal women to represent the Tribe
in a positive way. It does require
commitment and time, but is a tre
mendous honor. There will be
dance, Protocol, craft, and speaking
classes that will help you prepare
yourself to be on Royalty.
Any young lady who would like to
participate in Royalty to gain expe
rience may do so as a Princess, (and
not compete this year for a Queen
position), please return a completed
application form.
Personal contacts can be made
with Leonette Galligher at 879-5061,
Claudia Leno at 879-5892, or Terry
Warren at (541) 726-7535. We en
courage any interested young lady
who is a tribal member and between
the ages of 5 and 21 to join us.
D Participants must be an enrolled
member of the Grand Ronde Tribe,
be alcohol and drug free, be child
less and never married. If school
age, must be attending school (pri
vate or public) full time.
D Participants must be the follow
ing age by Jan. 15, 1999:
Tiny Tot 5 to 7
Jr. Miss 8-12
Sr. Miss 13-17
Miss Grand Ronde 18-21
B Participants must have their own
regalia. It is not the responsibility
of the Royalty Board, Tribal Coun
cil, or any other tribal program to
provide this.
D Members of the Royalty Court are
not paid positions. However, the cho
sen Queens will receive a set amount
for travel expenses for attending re
quired events.
D For fundraisers, the Court and
their families or sponsors are re
quired to participate.
D All the members on the Royalty
Court must show good judgment by
not participating in any activities
that could bring adverse publicity to
themselves or the Tribe.
D Participants must have a parent
or sponsor who will assist them to
get to required events and help with
any activities that Royalty would be
involved in.
D All members of Royalty must com
ply with the Royalty guidelines and
the Royalty agreement.
We will be having a Royalty meet
ing Thursday, April 15 at 6:30
p.m. at the Grand Ronde Commu
nity Center to share information,
meet everyone, discuss, and answer
any questions you may have. Get
your application filled out, sent in,
or get it to one of the Royalty Board
members. The April meeting is very
important!
OFFICIAL APPLICATION
GRAND RONDE ROYALTY COURT
Full Name:
Mailing Address:.
Phone Number:
Date of Birth:
Roll :
Age:
Father's Full Name: .
Mother's Full Name:
Sponsor's Name:
Sponsor's Mailing Address:
Sponsor's Phone Number:
School Attending:
Year in School:
Why are you entering the Grand Ronde Queen competition?
Why are you interested in participating as a Princess? .
Parent or Sponsor's Signature
For more details, contact a Royalty Board Member:
Leonette Galligher (503) 879-5061
Claudia Leno (503) 879-5892
Terry Warren (541) 726-7535
Return this application to: Royalty Board
47225 S.W. Hebo Rd, Grand Ronde, OR 97347