17th annual Susanville Indian Rancheria Pow-Wow continues today and tomorrow at the Fairgrounds

The Susanville Indian Rancheria hosts the 17th annual Pow-Wow this weekend, July 10-12 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds

According to the SIR website, “The annual Susanville Indian Rancheria Pow-Wow is a gathering that reflects many important aspects of Native American society. Honoring our elders and veterans at this gathering reinforces the values of working together as a family and bonding as a community. It is a place where our young people are given the opportunity to experience to the language, values, traditions and spirituality of our ancestors. As the drum carries the heartbeat of the Indian nation and Mother Earth, it serves to call the spirits and nations together. The dances have a strong personal and spiritual dimension.”

The Pow-Wow, a drug- and alcohol-free event, is open to the public. There is no admission charge.

The Pow-Wow began with the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10. Other Grand Entries will be held at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11 and at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 12.

The Pow-Wow features a number of dances including the Men’s Fast and Fancy, the Chicken Dance vs. Round Bustle and a Veteran’s Special (Crow Hop and Sneak Up).

According to the SIR, “The regalia worn by the dancers serves as a means of expressing their personal artistic vision, which reflects their lives, feelings, interests, family, and spiritual quest. The dances allow tribal members to represent their tribes, communities or cultural groups sharing their knowledge of culture and customs, communication skills, poise and cultural talent.”

Etiquette is important at the Pow-Wow
Pow-Wows are meant to be an occasion for celebration and sharing of culture, but etiquette is important for a successful event. Here are some Pow Wow guidelines from the Susanville Indian Rancheria.
• Alcohol, recreational drugs and firearms are prohibited.
• Listen to the master of ceremonies. He will announce who is to dance and when. Most Pow Wows conduct intertribals in which the public may participate.
• Dress and act appropriately. Hot pants, halter-tops, swimwear, profanity and making out have no place at Pow-Wows. If you are going to dance anything other than open intertribals, wear your regalia.
• Do not sit within the arena or the chairs reserved for the dancers.
• Stand and remove your hats during the grand entry.
• Show respect to the flag, honor any veterans songs by standing until the song is completed.
• Pointing with the fingers is considered poor manners by some nations. If you must point, use your head and nod in the direction you wish to indicate.
• Do not touch anyone’s dance regalia without his or her permission. 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 blonde tribal-enrolled Indians … no one’s fault that life goes on!)
• Pictures are not to be taken during memorial dances. Show respect and ask permission of the person you wish to take pictures of.
• All tape recording must be done with the permission of the master of ceremonies and the head singer of each drum.
• Respect the Head Man and Head Woman dancers. Their role entitles them to start each song or set of songs. Please wait until they have started to dance before you join in. In some traditions, it is considered improper to pass the Head Man or Woman Dancer within the arena.
• If at any time you are uncertain of procedure, check with the master of ceremonies, arena director or head singer. They will be glad to help you with your questions.
• If you are asked to dance by an elder, do so.
• If you see a lost feather, or you yourself drop a feather, do not pick it up. Notify the nearest veteran, the head veteran, head man dancer or arena director immediately.
• Giveaways, attributes of Indian generosity, are held at many dances. They are acknowledgments of appreciation to recipients for honor or service given to the people. When receiving a gift, the recipient thanks everyone involved in the giving.
• Most Pow-Wows are nonprofit and depend upon donations, raffles, blanket dances, etc. for support. Donations are encouraged as a way to honor someone. Any participant can drop money onto the blanket to aid in the Pow-Wow expenses.