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Come my brothers and sisters, come all the children of our land, come and sit by the village fire as the night closes around us. Watch the flames push the smoke upward toward Grandfather Sky. Our hope is deep as we send these, the most silent of prayers to ride the smoke to the Great Spirit. The drums beat softly��

Sit quietly all my people and hear the sound, hear the crackling of the fire, the sound of family and friends, sharing their happiness. The warmth we feel comes from this sharing of love not the fire. Look closely into each other�s eyes. What do we see? What is it that is reflected back to us? We see ourselves in one another and all that which has made us who we are. The drums beat faster��.

Close your eyes my family, and listen to the wind as it stirs the flames higher. Listen to the songs of our ancestors, they offer so much. All we need do is open your hearts to their words. Only when we listen and learn, from their wisdom can we grow as a people. The drums beat louder��

Inhale the aromas around you, smell the sage burning, the food cooking in the pits, the deer hide that we wear, the rain in the air, and Mother Earth under our feet. The drums beat shakes the ground like buffalo running across the prairie��

Taste what has come to our lips. Taste the tears of joy that come from our eyes. They are the tears of the past, present and the future. Grandfather Eagle has given us a view of the future, and it is good.

Then we realize it is not the drums that beat so loudly, but our own hearts coming together as one people under the Great Spirit, in Peace, Love and Harmony��..Finally.

StrongBearRedHeart �Copyright 1999

DRUM ETIQUETTE
Here are some interesting things about the Drum and Drum Protocol. This was written for the Southern drums, but almost all of it applies to the Eastern drums as well. One of the most important things in the life of a Native American is the drum. His whole culture centers on the drum. Without the drum and the singers around it, the Native Americans could not have Powwows. Being Head Singer is a great honor. The man who receives this honor is chosen for his experience and the fact that he knows many songs. It is no wonder the drum should be treated with great respect. The Head Singer has the first and last word and has complete control of what goes on at the drum. A 'closed drum' means the Head Singer has chosen the singers he wants to sing with him. The dance arena could be filled with good singers but they should not sit at the drum unless they are asked by the Head Singer. The Head Singer has the right to lead all songs unless he chooses other men to lead and help carry the load. The Head Singer may open the drum at his discretion. The means anyone may lead songs at any time. Once a singer takes his place at the drum, he should stay until there is a break. If he has to leave, he should inform the Head Singer. While at the drum, the singers should keep their thoughts on the songs and should keep the beat of the drum. Singers should not leave the drum to dance. When a Head Singer is chosen to sing for a dance, he will naturally do his best. Therefore the singers he has chosen should do their best for the Head Singer. Some additional things to remember: Food should never be eaten at the drum Liquor is never permitted at the drum Drinks and smoking are not permitted at the drum Items will not be passed over the drum If a special song is called, those asking for the song should donate to the drum If money is given to the drum for a special song, the Head Singer may divide the money with the singers immediately or wait until after the dance, he divides the money among the singers according to their ability, he knows who carried the load and made his job easier People dressed in dance clothes should not sit at the drum If for any justifiable reason, placing an Eagle feather on the drum stops the Pow Wow, this is only done in extreme cases Taping of songs will only be done with permission of the Head Singer.

-Charles Phillip White dog- �Copyright 1999

POWWOW RULES OF CONDUCT
It should be noted that every POWWOW is different so the first rule is the most important. The key is respect, and many "first timers" don't have access to the life-long teachings that we take for granted. Listen to the Master of Ceremonies. Do not sit within the arena. The chairs inside the arena are reserved for the dancers. Use the outside circle or bleachers if provided. If you want to take pictures, check with the POWWOW host first, then check with the person you are taking pictures of and ASK THEIR PERMISSION. Under no circumstances may you enter the arena to take photos. Put your camera down for all memorial dances. All tape recording must be done with the permission of the Master of Ceremonies and the Lead (or Head) Singer of EACH drum. When a new drum starts, do not enter the arena to get to the other drum. Don't run. Miss the song and wait for the next one to take your time getting to the drum. Nothing is ruder than "Recorder-runners" ganging around a drum. Many Powwows disallow this anyway (fine by me!). If you are not wearing traditional Regalia, you may dance only on social songs (like Two-Step, Blanket Dance, Honoring Songs, Circle, etc...) Sometimes a blanket dance is held to gather money. You may enter the circle to donate. Only those with the permission of the Lead Singer may sit at a drum.(And it's a good idea to know the songs because it's often a habit to ask the "stranger" to lead one.) All must stand and men must remove their hat (unless traditional head gear) during the Grand Entry, Flag Songs, Invocation, Memorial, Veterans Songs, and the Closing Song. During the Gourd Dancing, only Gourd Dancers and Gourd Dance Societies are to enter the Dance arena. Owning a gourd rattle does not make one a Gourd Dancer. Check with the local Societies. Please do not permit your children to enter the dance circle unless they are dancing.
Do not touch anyone�s dance Regalia without their permission. These clothes are not "costumes" and yes we use modern things like safety pins and such because we are a "living" culture, our Regalia is subject to change. Leave your stereotypes at home. (Yes there are some blond tribal enrolled Indians... no ones fault that life goes on!) If you are asked to dance by an elder, do so. It is rude and disrespectful to say, "I don't know how." How can you learn if you turn the elders down? Most Powwows do not allow Alcoholic beverages, Gold Paint cans, or drugs here. The Powwow is a time of joyful gathering and celebration of life. Alcohol and drugs are destroying our way of life and these "bad� spirits are not welcome. It's funny how much trash we as people drop. Make an extra effort to walk to the trash can. Respect Mother Earth. Remember always: Native American Indian dances are more than the word "dance" can describe. They are a ceremony and a prayer which all life encompasses and produce many emotional and spiritual reactions. Some dances are old, some are brand new... the culture continues to live and evolve. Urban Powwows are much more "tense" than Powwows on the rez. As people are away from the comfort of culture, they tend to take things more seriously. Abide by peoples wishes and requests. We as Indian people believe differently. Some dance around clock-wise, others counter clock-wise. If our host asks, we sometimes voluntarily show our respectably temporarily changing our way(s). Show your respect by doing the same. Have fun. Buy something from the vendors. Donate if you can. And most of all don't be so uptight and relax. The whole universe comes together this day to celebrate. You are invited to join in. Please remember, these are general rules when there is no other ground work to proceed from. Hope this helps.

-Charles Phillip White Dog- �Copyright 1999

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