THE AUSTIN POWWOW

The Annual Austin Powwow and American Indian Heritage Festival is the nation's largest annual school event and the largest American Indian annual gathering in Texas.

For the last several years, the event draws more than 50,000 people for a single-day gathering of traditional American Indian dancing, singing, arts, crafts, foods and traditional/contemporary entertainment.

It was created in 1992 by a group of less than a dozen parents who wanted to showcase Indian dances and arts for their children. They expected a couple hundred family and friends to show up. Instead, more than 2,000 people packed the McCallum High School gym. Austin school officials were so impressed that they offered free use of a larger facility the next year.

The event has become one of Texas' most popular and cherished Fall Festivals.


The 2010 event is scheduled for
November 6th.

It is always scheduled on the
First Saturday in November.

"2010" marks our 19th year!


In compliance with the policies of
The Austin Independent School District:

NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS,
NO PETS, NO TOBACCO.


WHAT IS A POWWOW?

A Powwow is generally an American Indian Dance Competition that lasts one or more days.

Dancers who are from many different Tribes/Nations will compete for cash prizes in several categories.

Many Powwows also feature arts and crafts vendors who display and sell a variety of handmade items, such as pottery, baskets and jewelry.

By the way, Powwows are considered both a sacred and social event for traditional Indian families.

There are Powwows that holds a benefit for a certain tribe member or family, they do not have competition or contest at these Benefit Powwows.

It is a time to renew one's bond with the beliefs and traditions of one's ancestors.

Also, there is a Family-Type Powwow for a time to enjoy the company of families and friends.


DEFINITION:

A pow-wow (also powwow or pow wow or pau wau) is a gathering of North America's Native people.

The word derives from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader".

The word powwow originates from the Algonquian word pau wau.

It refers to a gathering that includes singing, dancing, feasting and socializing.

The powwow event is also a way to remember heritage, culture, and traditions amongst Aboriginal People.

The powwow is practiced across North America.


HISTORY:

The Poncas were the first to practice this ceremony, which they call the Hethuska, as early as 1804.

They passed the Hethuska to the Kaw, and they in turn gave the dance to the Osage, who named it the "Inlonschka".

The Omaha then aquired the ceremony and spread it north to the Lakota (Sioux) tribe who popularized it on reservations in the late 1890's.

In this time, the "Omaha", or "Grass" dance as it was then called, spread faster than the more famous Ghost Dance of the same time.

Unlike ceremonial dances of other tribes, the Grass dancers danced for the purpose of dancing itself, instead of as a religious ceremony.

In the 1920's, some pow wows became "inter-tribal," meaning that they were open for all tribes to attend, and the practice of "contesting" began.

Contesting involves dance competitions that may last all weekend, taking into account how often dancers dance as well as how well they may dance,in order to give out prizes that range into thousands of dollars.

World War II brought a revival to the pow wow world, and ever since pow wows have been growing, constantly changing and adapting to modern ways, while retaining their cultural roots.

Brighter colors, more motions and even a new style of dance has emerged from the passage of time.

The Native American culture is not dead and fixed under the glass of a museum, but instead it is a living culture, retaining its' heritage and advancing with the times.


HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

The Austin Powwow is
FREE!

Unlike many other American Indian powwows, organizers of the Austin event refuse to charge people to attend their annual gathering.

Why? Because they want even large families to be able to attend the day long celebration of American Indian culture.

This is the one real opportunity that most Texans have to see real American Indian traditions and culture in action.


HOW DO WE DO IT?

In order to put on the event, The Great Promise and The Austin Powwow Committee has to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, many businesses, individuals and groups agree that The Austin Powwow is an important tool for teaching children, students and adults about American Indian cultures and traditions, and they make generous donations of their time, money and other resources.


Need more Information?
Call The Austin Powwow Hotline;
(512) 371-0628 and leave a message
[or] E-mail to
Austin Powwow.

Want to Volunteer?
If you'd like to Volunteer,
Call TheVolunteer Line:
512-360-5502
[or] E-mail:
The Volunteer Coordinator


SPECTATOR RULES:

1. Enjoy yourself as you watch the dancers, but do not block the aisles and stay off of the rails. Let others enjoy the powwow too.

2. Do not touch the dancers or their regalia (outfits). Not only are the feathers fragile, they also are considered sacred objects.

3. Come down and dance if the announcer invites you, but don't wear your shoes! Take them off first. Unless you are wearing sneakers, you cannot go onto the floor in shoes.

4. Feel free to shoot photographs and videotape
but do not shoot close-ups unless you first
ask permission from the person to be photographed.

5. Don't shoot any pictures if the arena director
asks for all cameras to be shut down.
Occasionally, there is a special or sacred moment
in which photography is not allowed.
If you do not abide by this rule, your film will be confiscated.

6. Don't use flash photography during the competition phase of the powwow. You may shoot with flash during intertribal or friendly dances, but don't shoot with flash when dancers are competing. There is big prize money at stake.

7. Do not smoke in the arena or on the festival grounds. This is an Austin Independent School District facility, and their rules forbid pets and tobacco. (Only service animals for the impaired are allowed.) Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are prohibited, as they are at all powwows and traditional Indian events.

8. No one, other than the powwow organizers and sponsors, is allowed to pass out any type of brochures or literature on Burger Center grounds. The only exception is information distributed by those who have paid for vendor space. Even then, organizers reserve the right to prohibit distribution of any and all material they feel is inappropriate for this event.

9. From time to time, you will notice that there is a call for a special "blanket dance." This is a powwow tradition in which the audience shows its appreciation for the hosts and drums. Although this is a free event, such donations help defray the expenses involved.

10. Do be respectful of American Indian traditions and stand when asked to do so by the announcer.

11. Please pick up your own litter and throw it in the trash. Make it your goal to pick up at least one more piece of trash as a favor to others. Thanks.

12. Start telling everyone about this year's event.
It will be here on Saturday - Nov. 6th, 2010!


If you know individuals or companies
that would like to help sponsor this event,
call The Austin Powwow Hotline:
512-371-0628
[or] E-mail
Austin Powwow

Our small group always
Welcomes Volunteers.
If you'd like to volunteer,
call the Volunteer Line
512-360-5502
[or] E-mail:
The Volunteer Coordinator

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Background Music By;
Northern Drums

YOUNG GREY HORSE

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