......... A Short Story On The "POW WOW"............................The heartbeat of the Indian movement, our Indian movement. The Pow Wow has become the heartbeat pulsing tempo of drum groups reverberating across North America. Men, women and children gather in reserves across the continent, in intense celebration of what it means to be one of us.......to be Indian. What is a Pow Wow? The word itself comes from the old Algonquin word for medicine man, Pauwow, he dreams. A Pow Wow is still a ceremony that sets a man to dreaming of the old days, the old ways, most of all, of the future. A Pow Wow calls up the tempo of times past. In the summers, tents and tipis converge on one campground. The Pow Wow gathers strength over the next days and nights. From the time the first tent is pitched, or the first brother arrives, the Pow Wow gains momentum, just as it did in the old days. Like the ceremonies performed by the ancient medicine man, the Pow Wow is a healing, unifying ritual. It is a time of singing and dancing, sharing and laughing, crying and teaching, learning and loving. And by remembering the past, we celebrate our future. We celebrate with the dancing and costume. We are proud of the colour of our culture. As soon as the drum groups begin, the dancers gather in full tribal regalia. There are few tribal demarcations now. The tribes are eager for great pan-Indian festivals where differences have all but disappeared. The singers chant the inter-tribal songs, and with the Grand Entry, the Pow Wow begins...............................***POW WOW ETIQUETTE*** * Listen to the Emcee"s directions and explanations. * DO NOT photograph or video Grand Entry, Honor Dances, the Dropped Eagle Feather Dance or any ceremonial dances. * It is all right to photograph intertribal socials, contest dances and parades other than Grand Entry. * Always ask people's permission to photograph them, even their campsites or lodges. It would be nice to offer to send them a copy. * It is all right to ask questions about their regalia style, their name and tribal affiliation. * Please do not touch a person's regalia without permission as it is a sacred object to each. * Please be polite, courteous and respectful. * It would be nice to ask if they are hot or thirsty and offer to get them some refreshment. * DO NOT let children hang on the ropes of the circle or run through the circle. * DO NOT cut across the circle to get to the other side. *DO NOT imitate war cries or make "woo woo" sounds - this is very insulting. *Remove your hat when asked to unless it contains one or more real eagle feathers. * Be attentive and quiet while people are speaking. * DO NOT trespass on private campsites and lodge areas. *DO NOT bring alcoholic beverages or drugs near or onto pow wow grounds. Adio and Peace To One and All from.......................Blue Wolf

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The True History of Medicine

2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial, Here, eat this root."

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