A Native American powwow is a cultural gathering that blends tradition and community through dancing, singing, and personal expression. Powwows are living celebrations where Native people honor their heritage, reconnect with family, and share stories across generations. Through movement, music, and regalia, dancers express both community identity and their own individual journeys. Each powwow reflects the resilience of Native traditions, and the vibrant ways they continue to evolve.
Running Strong for American Indian Youth® Dreamstarter Teacher Meredith Schramm published a book through her Dreamstarter Teacher grant, Native American Lesson Plans: A Look Into Natives Today, which helps K–12 students, Native and non-Native, understand powwows. In her book, she simply defines a powwow as “a Native American gathering involving feasting, singing, and dancing.”
In her curriculum, Meredith cites PowWows.com, which explains:
“Dances have always been an important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dances seen at powwows today are social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changed, their meaning and their importance has not.
The outfits worn by dancers, like the styles of clothing today, evolve over time. It is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life.”
The Nanticoke Indian Tribe defines a powwow as a cultural event that features group singing and dancing by men, women, and children:
“Through these gatherings, cultural traditions are passed from generation to generation. Above all, powwows are a time to preserve traditions, to sing to the Creator, and to dance to the heartbeat of the drum.”
*Note: 2017 Running Strong for American Indian Youth® Dreamstarter Teacher Meredith Schramm is a Native American advisor for the Provo City, Utah, school district with a Native population of about 200 students, who used her $1,000 Dreamstarter Teacher grant to develop Native American lesson plans for teachers to use in their classrooms.
The Origins of Powwows
The word “powwow” is derived from Pau Wau, a term meaning “medicine man” in Narrtick, an Algonquian language historically spoken in Massachusetts. As noted by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, early European settlers misused the term to describe Native gatherings, but Native communities have since reclaimed and redefined its meaning.
Modern powwows trace their roots to the late 1800s in the Great Plains, where intertribal dances such as the Grass Dance and Drum Religion arose during a time of forced displacement and government suppression. These gatherings offered opportunities for solidarity, healing, and cultural resilience.
In the 20th century, powwows evolved further, especially after World Wars I and II, as they became places to honor Native veterans and preserve warrior traditions. During the 1950s, urban relocation programs lead to the the spread of powwow culture spread powwow culture beyond reservations, leading to the formation of new intertribal communities and year-round powwow circuits.
Today, powwows take place across the U.S. and internationally, continuing to honor Native identity through dance, regalia, music, and community celebration.
Powwow Regalia: Expression Through Tradition
Powwow regalia is a powerful mode of self-expression that blends historical and modern dress. Worn with responsibility and pride, the clothing represents community traditions and personal tastes.
A dancer’s powwow outfit is a collection of items that reflect their lives, interests, and family background. Many wear garments that are family heirlooms or gifts crafted by family members. They incorporate a variety of modern elements and materials, from T-shirts and pins to Store bought moccasins, Native American regalia can evolve over time, reflecting both personal growth and changing styles.
Powwow Dancers and Their Roles
The diversity of powwow dances reflects the evolution of the tradition. Originally, only warriors danced at powwows. Today, there are dances for elders, men, women, teenagers, and children. These include Men’s and Women’s Traditional Dances, the Men’s Fancy Dance, the Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance, and many others.
Powwow dances not only reflect American Indian identity through the renewal of tradition, but also individual identities within the community.
Types of Powwow dancing
Grass
A men’s style dance depicting the movement of prairie grass, which originated with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
Jingle
A women’s healing dance that originated with the Ojibwe Tribe. As the story goes, a young girl was very sick, with no signs of recovering. Her father was very sad. He prayed to the Creator for assistance on what he should do to help his daughter.
That night, he had a dream. In this dream the father was shown how to create a dress, and was instructed about a dance that you were to do in the dress.
When he woke up, he set about making the dress and put it on his daughter so that she would dance as he had been instructed to show her.
In spite of her illness, she was somehow able to dance, and the more she danced, the stronger she got, and her illness slowly went away.
Fancy
A term used for both men’s and women’s style of dance, typically a fast and upbeat dance.
Hoop
A traditional dance that tells a story using hoops to make different shapes of birds, plants, and animals.
Modern Powwows: Living Culture Today
Today, powwows are dynamic celebrations of Native identity and resilience. Held year-round across the U.S. and beyond, from large arena-style competitions to small community gatherings, powwows continue to evolve while honoring tradition.
Many modern powwows include dance competitions, contemporary vendors, and intertribal participation, all centered around the heartbeat of the drum. Emcees guide attendees through the event, sharing the meaning behind songs, dances, and ceremonies. Whether hosted on reservations, in urban centers, or on college campuses, powwows remain places of cultural pride, remembrance, and community connection.
As Native youth, elders, veterans, and families come together to celebrate, powwows reinforce that Indigenous cultures are not relics of the past; they are living, breathing, and growing into the future.
Who Can Attend a Powwow?
Some powwows are social and public, and provide opportunities for non-Native visitors to learn, observe, and celebrate respectfully. Others may be ceremonial or private, intended only for tribal members. Be sure to check whether a powwow is open to the general public and follow any posted guidelines or announcements.
Powwow Etiquette and Traditions to Know
Attending a powwow is a meaningful experience, and it’s important to approach it with respect. Whether you’re Native or non-Native, following proper etiquette helps honor the community and the cultural significance of the event:
- Ask before taking photos or videos. Some powwows have photography rules, especially during sacred or ceremonial moments.
- Stand and remove hats during the Grand Entry and honor songs. This is a sign of respect, similar to standing for a national anthem.
- Do not touch regalia. Powwow regalia often includes handmade, heirloom, or sacred items. Always ask permission before getting close.
- Follow the lead of the emcee and community. The emcee will explain dances, songs, and proper behavior. Listen and observe.
- Respect the arena. The dance arena is a sacred space; don’t enter unless invited.
- Support vendors and food booths. Buying from Native vendors is a great way to support the community.
Powwow etiquette may vary slightly from one gathering to another, but the common thread is respect for the traditions, the people, and the space.
Support Native American Youth and Traditions
Powwows are just one of the many ways Native communities celebrate culture, resilience, and identity. At Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, we are proud to support programs that help preserve these powerful traditions while empowering the next generation.
From providing essential resources to youth and families to supporting cultural education and language preservation, our programs are grounded in the belief that strong roots lead to strong futures.
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Together, we can help Native youth grow up proud of who they are, connected to their heritage, and hopeful for the future.