First time as head lady

[cherokeemom06]

I was honored to be asked this past weekend to be head lady for a powwow in February. It's not a huge powwow but a decent size and it is my first time being head lady. Giveaways around here aren't as common as they should be and they are never elaborate unless it is for someone's coming out or something like that. I do have a small giveaway planned and I know what items I'm using for that. My husband and I are also sponsoring a candy dance for the kids. My question is this: I am a jingle dancer and most of the powwows I've been to have had a traditional dancer as head lady. Is there any difference in the responsibilities?

[steelemagnolia63]

I dance traditional but I really can't see that there are any differences in the responsibilites just the style of dance. I think that there might be a difference when it comes time for you to lead the women's traditional dance. You might have to ask another lady that dances traditional to lead it or bring along a quick change of regalia for that dance.

Congrats on being asked to head dance... it is a great honor.... :)

[SuzzeQ4]

I know a few jingle dress dancers who have been head lady a number of times and it's exactly like Steel said. I'd go with asking another lady to lead the Womans tradish dance cause a change of clothes would be time consuming. The one thing I have done when head Lady is bring a babysitter to assist with the kids cause it's a lot of responsibility time wise when you have young ones. Sure theres my husband and friends but it puts my mind at ease to know that someone is there specifically to focus on my kids.

[cherokeemom06]

Suzze and Steele....I figured I'd ask my auntie to lead the women's tradish! There is no way I'm changing. Way too much time involved there and I hate women's tradish anyway. No offense ladies, I just have too much energy to dance that slow. LOL

[Eagle Plumes]

maybe things are done differently in your parts or im reading it wrong ,wich may be the case. head Lady leads all ladies .The only time I may not lead a dance like too hot or yrs ago when I had to step out and nurse one of my son's, then I juss askd one of my beautifull nieces to step in till I could come back. Now if theres exibition sp lol I stand and dance in place ,not so my presence is in the arena but to show respect to my fellow lady dancers.

[steelemagnolia63]

I dance every dance except jingle and fancy shawl....but I do dance in place for those and honor the other dancers!

I do try to have someone lined up in case I can't lead a dance because I'm to hot. My husband and I will also occasionally ask a young couple coming up to lead a social dance so that they can gain experience.

The candy dance is one of my favorites. Jim and I always are a part of that dance.... I excell at flinging the candy before the dance!!! and bribing the kids for tootsie rolls... :)

CherokeeMom be sure that you are availible for all special dances that come up and all questions that dancers have! I stay at the arena from about an hour before grand entry and then you'll find me under my easy up after they pull the colors for about 30 minutes to an hour. This gives others time to come up and ask all those questions that you have to settle and time to consult elders if need be. To get with you and the head man about any specials that they have planned so that you don't find out about them as you are headed for the ladies room and have to turn around and head back. I also make sure that someone knows where I am during breaks. I know that you have heard the MC calling head dancers to the circle.

You'll be great!!!!

[SuzzeQ4]

the joys of havin a teen girl is I have a pernament stand in for bathroom breaks. But yeah since you don't have big girls, have someone you can count on. My daughter is great at it. Before she runs off for sno-cones with her pals she always checks if I need to pee or eat. I stay close by when takin a persoonal minute and check with MC cause I would hate to be holdin everyone up or having my kids yell to the MC "Mom's havin a pee!" I also am ready to line up early cause there is always someone uncertain where they should be. I like to greet the people coming to get ready for grand entery so they know they can talk to me . I had never heard of a candy dance till Steele told me. Told my friends up North and we are going to have one at their powwow. I have already started stockin up...havin trouble finding spots to hide it all from the kids though I remember being nervous my first time but I find I make mistakes when I am feeling over confident...That'll teach me eh?

[cherokeemom06]

the joys of havin a teen girl is I have a pernament stand in for bathroom breaks. But yeah since you don't have big girls, have someone you can count on. My daughter is great at it. Before she runs off for sno-cones with her pals she always checks if I need to pee or eat. I stay close by when takin a persoonal minute and check with MC cause I would hate to be holdin everyone up or having my kids yell to the MC "Mom's havin a pee!" I also am ready to line up early cause there is always someone uncertain where they should be. I like to greet the people coming to get ready for grand entery so they know they can talk to me . I had never heard of a candy dance till Steele told me. Told my friends up North and we are going to have one at their powwow. I have already started stockin up...havin trouble finding spots to hide it all from the kids though I remember being nervous my first time but I find I make mistakes when I am feeling over confident...That'll teach me eh?

Oh trust me....the kids will love you for a candy dance!!!

[Okwataga]

Just an idea - but maybe instead of candy - fruit, bubbles or something else besides candy....

just a thought

[steelemagnolia63]

the candy dance is the best.... but I suppose bubbles or small toys could be cool too...

In two weeks we are head dancing a gathering where Jim and I are giving all the young ones kazoos... it should be a hoot... Jimbo will be like the pied piper leading all the kids in a dance of kazoos.... :) will post pictures....


The hardest thing for me to remember is that most of the time I am a good 6 to 8 inches taller than all the other ladies so even my half steps are longer than some of their full steps... so I try to pace myself to the shortest or slowest dancer if I don't I find that I am 3/4 of the way around the circle and the rest of the ladies are way behind me.

I make mistakes all the time, it is what keeps me grounded.... :)

Be sure that your ice chest is packed with lots of water and be sure that you have your repair kit at the circle with you...

Everyone knows that my chairs are open for a quick sit down between dances and that there is always something cool to drink... I think that it is one of the things that the head lady and man have to do is make sure that everyone is having a good time and that the dancers are taken care off.....

[Okwataga]

just thinking that besides candy - with the health of our kids and america being rated obese,maybe something healthy.... i do know they love candy, but......

[Wojapi4Me]

Couldn't agree more with Okwataga...apples would be a great idea...plus, there is an old song that could be sung for giving away apples...some of the older fogies on hear might know it LOL

If you do decide on the candy dance though...the best way, in my opinion, would be to lay out a blanket and put it on there instead of just throwing it around the arena. Keep in mind that some of it might end up in higher grass and not picked up, but could be stepped on by an elder who might not be able to see it...with diabetes so rampant everyone has to watch out for their feet.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck and have a nice time.

[steelemagnolia63]

trust me when I say that all the candy gets picked up.... I have never heard of an apple song but I think that it is an interesting idea. If someone knows the song please let me know how I can find it. We are always lookingfor something new or in this case old to teach the kids....

[SuzzeQ4]

I see your point, put still tryin the candy. Up north the grass isn't long (if there at all), but I will do a walk around to make sure there is none left. Toys are cool but this powwow has a kids raffle...all the kids get called to the circle and handed a raffle ticket (free) then they draw the numbers (all the numbers so all the kids get them) some are bigger then others but the last one is always yhe biggest. They do it just before the adult raffle draws so that thw kids all won something already. Here the dancers are supplied cold water. But I keep bags of orange slices in a cooler. People love this. Got the idea from a powwow up here that hands out orange slices with bottled water to the dancers.

[cherokeemom06]

Usually there are several people walking around to check and make sure the candy is all picked up. The blanket thing wouldn't work at all because they dance around then when the drum stops, they get to pick up candy. When it starts again, they have to start dancing again. Laying it on a blanket just doesn't seem as fun or interesting to little ones because they love finding it. Gotta love the disclaimer that the guy who emcees most of our local powwows says: "We are not responsible for any cavities. We are however responsible for the hyperactivity and filling them up with sugar to send them home with you. We do this because they are not our children." LOL

On the note of candy not being used, I've been to several where stuffed animals, bubbles, other toys and such are mixed in with the candy so there isn't just candy. But there has to be SOME candy! Anyone here ever been to one the "adult" candy dances?