The Grand Entry
Spectators should always stand and remove caps or hats during the Grand Entry, invocation, Flag Songs, and Honor Songs. The Grand Entry is the parade of dancers which opens each session of dancing. All the dancers are encouraged to take part in the Grand Entry.
First, the eagle staff is carried into the circle, followed by the American, Canadian, state and tribal flags. Then, chiefs and headmen enter, followed by head dancers and royalty (like honorary Powwow Princesses)
Other invited dignitaries are next to enter followed by the men: traditional dancers first, then grass dancers and fancy dancers. women come next: traditional dancers, fancy shawl dancers and jingle dress dancers. They're followed by junior boys, traditional and fancy dancers, and the little girls, traditional and fancy shawl dancers. The dancers dance clockwise, around the arbor.
When the Grand Entry song ends, there is a Flag Song. Immediately following the end of the Flag Song, three push ups of the victory song are sung with dancing in place. Then an invocation blesses the gathering. After that, the Eagle staff (always positioned above the American flag to signify the first nation) is tied to the pole in the center of the arbor or brought to the announcer's stand.It should be noted that powwow practices vary from region to region in United States and Canada.
Sincere thanks and acknowledgment to the American Indian Education Committee of the Minnesota State Board of Education who sponsored those who wrote the Ojibwe content of this unit.
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