DANCES

POLE DANCE

5 men climb to the top of a 100 foot pole. One man stands at the middle of the pole and dances on top while playing a high pitched flute. (WisperingLake) The other 4 men tie themselves to ropes, then lower themselves off the back of the square rotating platform. They spin out from the pole, until they finally reach the ground. (LonelyWolf, LayingBear, YellowLark, and StandingBear) Nice air aerobics. At the end the leader lowers himself down one of the ropes. A must see event!

FIRE DANCE

Prefforming the Fire ceramony. They dance in full dress. the warrior men place pot of fire before them. They then dance, goto the fire take a flame from it into their bare hands, raise it to the sky, then place the flame beside them. They dancer again returns to the flame. Takes another flame in thier hand and places it near the first. They repeat this until a circle of fire is formed aroud them. they will also place their leg over the flame. Feeling no pain or fear. The women of the trib join them in dance but not of taking the fire. Very nice to see.

GRASS DANCE

The Grass Dance style is a very old dance rich in history that has become very popular. In the old days, it was the job of the grass dancers to flatten the grass in the arena before a pow wow. The name "grass" does not come from the stomping of grass, but it comes from the old habit of tying braids of sweetgrass to the dancer's belts, producing a swaying effect. Today, Grass Dancers resemble a multicolored swaying mass of yarn or fringe on the dance floor. The Grass Dance is a very fluid and bendable style, with the dancers trying to move their fringe in as many places as possible at once. The Grass Dance style was born in the North, but its popularity has spread South, and now this beautiful style is availible for everyone.

CROWN DANCE

MEN'S TRADITIONAL DANCE

This is the oldest form of dance in the Indian culture. The regalia is often thought to represent the animals that the Creator put on the earth. The movements tell of warrior actions-hunting, stalking the game, battling an enemy. The regalia is a very per sonal expression of creativity and artistry. While there is no prescribed look, several elements might reflect items worn by early warriors: a breast plate made of animal bones or shell for protection against arrows; a neck choker for protection against k nives; ankle bells or jingling hooves; or a shield made of hide and decorated with important tribal symbols. Often a traditional dancer will wear a single bustle containing eagle feathers, which are considered sacred to the Indian people. The eagle flies the highest and carries the prayers of the people to the Creator. Eagle feathers are traditionally awarded for feats of bravery or accomplishment.

WOMAN'S TRADITIONAL DANCE

Woman's traditional dance requires enormous stamina, concentration and grace. The movements are very focused. Women move their feet in time with the drum keeping them close to the ground. As the drum plays "honor beats," women raise their fans to honor the drum and their male relatives. An important element of women's traditional dance is the regalia. Women's traditional regalia will usually include a fringed shawl held gracefully folded over one arm, an awl and knife case on the belt and a feather (often eagle ) fan. Southern or Oklahoma style women's traditional often feature buckskin or cloth outfits to go with their more overt rhythmic dance movement. The regalia will feature beautiful beadwork (usually created by the woman dancer) in patterns and colors that reflect tribal and family affiliation. Dakota patterns, for instance, often are in rainbow colors and geometric in shape, representing the colors and patterns of their homeland on the plains. The Ojibwe or Winnebago ragalia often reflect floral patterns and woodland colors showing the woodland Indian influence.