[WhoMe]

Why is the eagle staff normally ahead of the American/Canadian and other flags at most grand entries?

Why do veterans lead in most grand entries?


Whatcha' think?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by WhoMe

Grand Entry. Why?

1. Because they look cool.
2. It gathers dancers for a number check.

As for the eagle staff and veterans, it is a pantomime of the silly idea that we all unite under one banner and that all who fulfilled their service are honored warriors.

Grand Entries are parades, and parades are typically propaganda, but at times we are egregious in making up -- then buying -- our own BS.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

I like when all the drums can get in on Grand Entry, you get a preview of how the weekend will be.

Nice to hear a mix of northern and southern singing, as the rotation is called out.

As a camera man, an arena full of natives jamming out is an awesome sight!

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Also....I like SOME commentary....but PLEASE Emcee's don't stomp all over the singers.

[WhoMe]

Originally Posted by AmigoKumeyaay

Also....I like SOME commentary....but PLEASE Emcee's don't stomp all over the singers.

Anybody else? Whatcha' think?

[Josiah]

Parade In
Grand Entry
What-ever you call it, it is a great way to kick off a big dance.
For some that are late to the dance they are a pain
for those that are ready to go its no big deal!

Its a great photo op for tourists
and a great way to get everybody ready to dance

For small dances that have 8 dancers its not so "Grand"
I guess I am saying they are a bit over done
I have been to smaller dances where they do a calling song and we just dance after that. I like those...

For a big Three Day or Four Day Powwow I think one is sufficient each day and just dance the rest of the time.
But hey you asked our opinion

[Zeke]

When I was a kid, nobody did a Grand Entry.

It came into vogue when big $$$ contest dancing came into mainstream.

Does it look cool? Sure. Is it overwrought and just another thing filled with "ancient" traditions going back about thirty years?

Yup.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

The Flag Song with everybody in attendance seems the right thing to do, whether you dance-in or not.

The Victory Song...is also a good starting point, for the weekend, or just for the day.

Sometimes a Round Dance is called for, sometimes the people out there dance different roundy steps, and the people going around break up into little groups. The faster people catch up to the slower steppers, can't pass around them.

Teenagers will step faster, and bunch up into the Seniors.

[WhoMe]

My take on why eagle staffs are ahead of the United States, Canadian and other flags is that the eagle feathers were given the utmost recognition for both tribal patriotism and warrior service. So naturally this value was in place before the United States and Canada were even countries. Hence they normally precede the flags.

As for veterans leading in the grand entry, "this serves as a powerful reminder of where the modern powwow originated... from warrior societies!"

[milehighsalute]

Originally Posted by AmigoKumeyaay

Also....I like SOME commentary....but PLEASE Emcee's don't stomp all over the singers.

my favorite is during fancy dance contests....."look at them boys GO.....WEEEEEEEEE CHAH!!!"

[yaahl]

Originally Posted by WhoMe

My take on why eagle staffs are ahead of the United States, Canadian and other flags is that the eagle feathers were given the utmost recognition for both tribal patriotism and warrior service. So naturally this value was in place before the United States and Canada were even countries. Hence they normally precede the flags.

As for veterans leading in the grand entry, "this serves as a powerful reminder of where the modern powwow originated... from warrior societies!"

Must be an American thing. Up here the order of precedence is often: Eagles Staffs, Country /Province/Tribal flags/POW/Metis etc flags, community elders, band council, pow wow committee, RCMP/Veterans, Chiefs from other nations in buckskin, head dancers, powwow princesses then dancers.

I'm a serving member of the CF and I can't recall ever being right behind the Staffs and flags while in Canada. I'm usually with the RCMP and other veterans. Easy to spot us.. we are all wearing this medal:

[rodond]

goes back to the old west shows that the modern day powwow came from combine with the returning veterans dances after ww1/ww2

[Josiah]

For me Grand Entry is a Grand Begining and sets the tone of a Big Dance. We put out front of our precession our Veterans, Flags and Eagle Staffs who lead us in. We wear our finest clothes and look good while we do it.
For a big dance it makes sense for a small dance I dont think it has the same impact and perhaps should be rethought.

Grand Entry Saturday Night Cherokee Holiday 2011 Tahlequah,Oklahoma

[DeafElderWoman]

Just like Josiah said about the Grand Entry. Grand Entry always wanted to show the audiences of how many young and old dancers showing their finest in their traditional regalia and letting them know who they are to perform their traditional dances whether in traditional or competition contests.

Like at noon, the Grand Entry will show the new dancers one way and then at 7 pm, Grand Entry will show another sets of dancers, even some still wanted to dance in the contests or performing the traditional dances. Grand Entry is really like a parade showing their regalia and their dances, even children wore their traditional regalia and performed for young tots or kids in the contests.

Also the Eagle Staff is just like the American or Canadian flags, only that the Eagle Staff represents all of us as Natives. We were here first before the White Colonists came to the new World. So we wanted to show the Eagle Staff flag being the First.

As for the Native and Non-Native veterans, they are warriors being served in the military services and should be dancing behind the Chiefs and their Councils with their military flags or other flags. They are important soldiers fighting for our countries like USA and Canada. It is to show respected and honored them for what they do overseas.

That is why it is the most common Powwows all over the North America.

[milehighsalute]

like everyone said here....modern powwow goes back to the old west shows........buffalo bill lined his pockets parading the injuns to the audience......azz for every seat!!

kinda like they parade all the cattle at the stockshow

[farmer ned]

Originally Posted by milehighsalute

like everyone said here....modern powwow goes back to the old west shows........buffalo bill lined his pockets parading the injuns to the audience......azz for every seat!!

kinda like they parade all the cattle at the stockshow

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!! "milehighsalute" it's an hour of standing around lettin the mc's hear themsalves, then it's sit the hell down and wait on your contest cause that's all your dressed for anyways. Puh-leeeze! it's all just a cattle show for whitey! (oh wait, and for the hoochies, it's a parade for yo man too cause you know a lot of us ndn boys just aren't dark enuff for ya) hahahahaha yer welcome

[WhoMe]

I've seen something kewl. On the Thursday night before or right before the first Friday grand entry, powwow committees will give some time for those who will be entering the arena for the first time. I think this is an important aspect of powwow life.