SM调教所 Boulder Fall Powwow

SM调教所 Boulder Fall Powwow

We are excited to invite you to join us on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Farrand Field for the return of the Powwow to the SM调教所 (SM调教所 Boulder). A powwow is a traditional gathering for intergenerational Native drumming, singing, dance and community building that celebrates rich ancestral histories and contemporary Native culture. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and Grand Entry will begin at 11 a.m., and this is a substance-free event.听

The fall powwow is a collaboration between the Oyate student group, Native American and Indigenous student organizations, the Native Graduate Student Group, the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies (CNAIS), the Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC) and the Theater and Dance Department.听听听

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are an invaluable part of making the powwow run smoothly. Volunteers are needed to help with check-in, set-up and break-down, traffic management and more, and shifts are three hours long. All volunteers are required to attend a Cultural Orientation Briefing before the event.听

Powwow logo

SM调教所 Boulder Fall 2024 Powwow Information

The modern powwow and many styles of contemporary powwow dancing have their roots in the societies of the Southern and Northern Plains. Over time, these dances, ceremonies and gatherings have evolved from formal, tribal-based ceremonies into modern-day intertribal celebrations of culture, dance, song, crafts, food and pageantry.听听

Today, powwows are held across the United States and Canada, in small towns and in big cities. These quintessential social gatherings can take place anywhere鈥攆rom community dance grounds to large arenas and convention centers.听听

The powwow has become a way that Native American people representing all tribal backgrounds can join to share experiences, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. It is an opportunity to reflect on time-honored traditions, while helping to educate future generations of dancers and singers.听听

Emcee听听

The Master of Ceremonies (MC) is the keeper of all important information and ensures the smooth flow of the event. Pay attention to the MC鈥檚 instructions.听

Drums听听

The host drum groups provides the beautiful music heard throughout the powwow. They are central to the event's atmosphere. There will be one Northern Drum Group (Drifting Bull) and One Southern Drum Group (Shield Chief) to represent uniting Native communities.听听

Head Woman and Man; and Head Young Woman and Young Man Dancers听听

These highly revered dancers will initiate each song or set of songs, setting the tone for the dancers and the audience.听听

Sponsoring Group听听

This is the Tribal groupcommunity responsible for organizing and hosting the Powwow. Their role is crucial in making the event possible. They can be tribes themselves, organizations or individuals, or, in our case, universities.听听

Spiritual Advisor听听

This is the person who will welcome all attendees into the space and set a tone of reverence for the day. They will also lead any required spiritual protocols during the powwow as needed.听听

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Powwow Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 28 | Farrand Field

听听8 a.m. | Vendor set-up听

听听9:30 a.m. | Music performance by Tony Crank听

听听11 a.m. | Grand Entry

  • Invocation
  • Flag Song
  • Victory Song听听

听听11:45 a.m. | Welcoming by Spiritual Advisor and Vice Chancellor for Native American and Indigenous Affairs Benny Shendo, two rounds of intertribals听

听听12:30 p.m. | Dance Contests Begin, Tiny Tots Combined听

听听1 p.m. | Jr. Dance Categories

  • Jr. Girl鈥檚 Traditional
  • Jr. Girls Jingle
  • Jr. Girl鈥檚 Fancy
  • Jr. Boy鈥檚 Traditional
  • Jr. Boy鈥檚 Grass
  • Jr. Boy鈥檚 Fancy听

听听2 p.m. | Round of Intertribals

  • Teen Dance Categories (two songs)
  • Teen Girl鈥檚 Traditional
  • Teen Girl鈥檚 Jingle
  • Teen Girl鈥檚 Fancy听
  • Teen Boy鈥檚 Traditional
  • Teen Boy鈥檚 Grass
  • Teen Boy鈥檚 Fancy

听听3 p.m. | Two Rounds of Intertribals

  • Golden Age Combined Categories
  • Golden Age Women鈥檚 Combined
  • Golden Age Men鈥檚 Combined听听

听听3:30 p.m. | Introduction of SM调教所 Students, Alumni听

听听4 p.m. | Two Rounds of Intertribals听

听听4:45 p.m. | Adult Division (two songs)

  • Women鈥檚 Traditional
  • Women鈥檚 Jingle
  • Women鈥檚 Fancy
  • Men鈥檚 Chicken
  • Men鈥檚 Traditional
  • Men鈥檚 Grass
  • Men鈥檚 Fancy听听

听听5:45 p.m. | Round of Intertribals听

听听6:30 p.m. | Post colors and announcement of competition winners听

听听7 p.m. | Powwow concludes听

Etiquette

Listen to the Master of Ceremonies (MC): The MC coordinates the powwow, guiding when and who will dance, and when spectators may participate. Always enter and exit the arena through designated 鈥渄oors,鈥 and never cross through the arena itself.听听

Seating is usually provided with bleachers or hay bales, but you may bring your own chairs. Avoid sitting inside the arena; those chairs are reserved for dancers and singers. Spectators should use the outside circle or bleachers.听听

Dancers鈥 Regalia: Regalia refers to traditional dance attire and is not to be touched or called a "costume." Each piece is often a family heirloom, carefully crafted over years, and holds significant cultural and personal value. Pay particular respect to feathers, which are sacred.听听

Eagle Feathers: Eagle feathers are deeply sacred. If you see a feather fall from a dancer鈥檚 regalia, do not pick it up or take a photo. Instead, notify the MC or the Powwow Host immediately.听听

Drum Area: Only those invited by the Lead Singer should sit at the drum. Keep children away from this area out of respect.听听

Stand and remove your hat during the Grand Entry, Flag Songs, Invocation, Memorial, Veterans Songs and the Closing Song: All attendees should stand. Men should remove their hats unless they are wearing traditional headgear with eagle feathers.听听

Dancing: Non-dancers can join in during social songs, such as Two-Step, Inter-Tribals, Blanket Dance and Honoring Songs. Inter-Tribals are open to everyone, regardless of tribal affiliation, and are great for first timers. Children should only enter the dance circle if they are participating in the dance.听听

No Alcohol, Drugs or Pets: Powwows are alcohol and drug-free events, centered on celebrating life. Pets are also not allowed, to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees.听听

Trash Disposal: Respect Mother Earth by ensuring all trash is disposed of properly in the provided trash cans. Avoid littering to honor the Native culture's deep connection to the environment.听听

Photography听听

When photographing a powwow, it鈥檚 essential to approach the event with respect and cultural sensitivity. Please refrain from taking photos during prayers, flag songs, ceremonies or any time the Master of Ceremonies has explicitly prohibited photography. These moments hold deep cultural and spiritual significance.听

If you wish to photograph a dancer, always ask for their permission first, especially when it comes to their regalia. Many dancers invest countless hours in creating intricate beadwork and designs, which carry personal and cultural meaning. Some dancers may prefer not to have their regalia photographed to protect its uniqueness and prevent others from replicating their designs.听

Additionally, if you intend to sell your images, please contact the Powwow Committee ahead of time to discuss proper protocols and obtain signed model releases from the dancers and participants.听听