First time as head lady

[Sunktaki]

I was taught to dance the first 4 songs during the gourd dance and also the 4 songs before the dinner. Also the first 4 after dinner and the last 4 song to close the gourd dance. I am not sure about starting the dancing for another style, because I was told not to do so, but for all the inter-tribal, specials, blanket, etc, it was expected of me to dance.
Also to be there on time..not when the gourd dancing started, about an hour before, to talk to MC when it is a good time to have the giveaway, to let him know who will be talking for you, etc. Also to let the head singer know what song you want for your special. I also was taught to give a food basket to an Elder. ( find some one at the powwow that day this is a way that you thank him/her.)
I know there are alot of different ways to do this, depending on location, most important keep that face smiling when your feet is killing you..
Hope you will have a great time

[NancyJo]

You might try a search online for the Oriental Trading Post.........they have bags of toys or goodies that can be thrown out rather than candy for the kiddo's.
For vets we fix up paper bags of snack items and some bottled water or fruit drink boxes and handkerchiefs......then call all the vets up and give them a bag of goodies.
For head staff I usually make beaded scalp feathers, my bud OL Chemist made some awesome beaded belt buckles for me to give to the men.
For women I made shawls and bags of snack items or hair barrettes or pony tail bands.......OL Chemist made beaded hair barrettes for the ladies and gave to me to give them. She was awesome in helping me make giveaway items and keeping me focused during the last time I was head lady........when ever she is called upon to be a head lady or wants to have a giveaway, I'll do the same for her for sure. (many thanks, girlfriend!)
I usually make up some bags with just misc. snack items and maybe a hand towel or kitchen towel, in case I need extra give away items. I just would buy a little bit at a time and get it all gathered up.......buy blankets that are on sale during the year. Then the weekend before the pow wow we get it all organized and sacked up.
You'll be amazed at how much you can get if you just buy and make it a little bit at a time. That's why it's so great that they are giving you several months notice to prepare.
It helps also to have someone around during the pow wow that can be your eyes and ears and keep you directed to where you need to be and what you need to be doing.
Make sure you get some good rest before the pow wow because once at the pow wow you'll be busy.......and eat some good food......keep healthful snacks and water available.
Just be the best head lady you can.........be there on time, be courteous and be willing to represent your family and nation to the best of your ability and have a great time!! Best Wishes!!

[SuzzeQ4]

Sounds like a great giveaway. I do medicines, prayer ties, tobacco seed (when I got them), cornbread, strawberries, material, beads and dollar store toys for kids. Markers, crayons, bouncy balls and glowsticks arw the best pick from a dollar store. Second hand books, some bandanas and socks. I like givin out berries and cornbread it gives a little pickme up and is personal...and my husband makes great cornbread.

[steelemagnolia63]

we do small bags of sage, tabacco, cedar or sweet grass and a prayer tie...tied up with a feather, I normally bead the strings that we tie the packages up with just to make them more personal, the strings can then be added to someone's regalia or made into a necklace or used in whatever way they like.... We give these to everyone that dances with us. We also gift something to the drums and to the MC, head vet and AD.... everyone gets a bag and a prayer tie. Our way of saying thank you for joining us and that you are in our prayers....

Sometimes we do bags of Jim's special pipe blend to the staff and drums.... Your gifts don't have to be elaborate but from the heart and what you can afford to give....

Good idea about the sugar free goodies... I am going to have to stop and grab a few bags for the candy dance...

Been to a couple of powwows where we have the adult candy dance... Normally for Kids over 50 here and one drum even has a song worked up for it about the aches and pains of getting older and forgetting everything.... It normally follows the kids candy dance...

[cherokeemom06]

theres a diabetic store here with a candy section that is all sugar free...my next candy destination...thanks for bringing up the sugar issue gals.
Cherokeemom; this thread was ment to help you but I think it will serve to be helpful to us all.

LOL I know. Back on topic a little bit, I think I got my giveaway items figured out for the other headstaff. For everyone but the head vet, I am doing two gourd stitched feathers with the little swivels on them, beaded to match each of their regalias, plus a bandanna and a pouch of tobacco, sage, sweetgrass and cedar. For the head vet, I'm doing that plus a quilled wheel to match his regalia. He was the one who asked for me as head lady so I really want to thank him. For my other dancers, I'm doing the little pouches and probably a sweetgrass braid. How does that sound?

[SuzzeQ4]

theres a diabetic store here with a candy section that is all sugar free...my next candy destination...thanks for bringing up the sugar issue gals.
Cherokeemom; this thread was ment to help you but I think it will serve to be helpful to us all.

[cherokeemom06]

The apple idea is good also, many lil ones in my area cant have candy and ive seen many a tear due to nothing for the kiddos who cant have it due to diabetes. I also give out suagar free goodies to the drum. They have sugar free cough drops as well that I like to put in there.. Juss a thought

That's a good idea. I'll be sure to put some sugar free stuff in there too and of course there are toys and such for all the kiddos. I think I'm gonnna go raid my oriental trading catalog for good bulk deals on stuff.

[Eagle Plumes]

The apple idea is good also, many lil ones in my area cant have candy and ive seen many a tear due to nothing for the kiddos who cant have it due to diabetes. I also give out suagar free goodies to the drum. They have sugar free cough drops as well that I like to put in there.. Juss a thought

[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?

[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.

[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....

[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.

[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......

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

just a thought