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One of the most recognizable element of Native expression is the Pow-wow. But very few people outside of the culture understand it. They do not understand the significance of the songs and the dance behind Pow-wow; they do not understand the rites and ceremonies contained within a Pow-wow. They do not understand the meaniong of the clans, or why Indian people dance. Here, we explore the true meaning, beyond the feathers and beads. Culture lives within the people; it is expressed through those who practice and participate in these celebrations. Episode 11: Pow-wow Fever Anyone who has ever attended a Pow-wow notice there is something about the people who travel with the Pow-wows, sometimes on beat up old buses, sometimes the cars themselves are held together with duct tape. There are cars from hundreds of miles away, and as many as a dozen people can pile out of an old Chevy. The announcer (or carier) tries his best to be a comedian. Grannies sell beadwordk, girls and boys play with one another. Relationships evolve, some at a social level, sometimes at an intimate level. Fried bannock is sold from portable deep fryers. It is fun, and an affirmation of what it means to be Indian. We end this series with highlights of the images we have seen on this journey along the Pow-wow Trail. The places, the people, the stories, and the dances. Here we honour the ceremony of the Pow-wow.
Various Artists