Give aways

[WhoMe]

In ceremonial events, I have observed the Crow and Kiowa people having multiple giveaways at the same time.

Do you think this should be adopted to expedite powwows by having several giveaways together instead of individually? Or should we observe tradition and give people/families/committees/headstaff time from the powwow to have individual, lengthy giveaways?

How would you feel if you were told ahead of time that your giveaway time would be after the supper break with two other groups also having their giveaway at the same time?


Whatcha' think?

[legalstraight]

I am not sure where the tradition comes from, but I have seen a number of powwows in the midwest where someone will speak to the effect of such and such a family is/has/or will do a giveaway and this why. But then the family members or friends will walk around and hand items out to people while everything else is going on... i.e. drum will finish a song and someone will hand the head singer a blanket and say "this is from ___ family as part of their giveaway"

When I am on a committee I really like this, since it means we do not lose half of a session or more to giveaways. And I have done one this way at the request of the committee, I have also had one committee tell me ahead of time that they did not want a giveaway done this way.

I have also seen another committee hold giveaways Sunday between 11 and 1, before grand entry, but the host drum would be there to do the songs, the PA was on, and anyone who wanted to do their giveaway could do it.

My opinion on this is situational..... For huge events like Crow Fair where hundreds of families want to do giveaways it seems very logical to have them going on simultaneously. For small one session or one day pow-wows it is nice to limit the number of giveaways. But for your average weekend pow-wow it depends. There is a traditional way a practical way, and sometimes a "this is how it is way" and they may be different everywhere you go....

[amarie49]

I think this might be a good way to expedite the giveaway process. I have also seen families walk around with gifts and I like that as well. Powwow committees do need to set limits with specials because they lose their audience and the dancers are sitting there dressed waiting on their contest etc. The giveaway is an important tradition that should be preserved but also should be adapted to fit the situation and time parameters.

[WhoMe]

Powwow committees do need to set limits with specials because they lose their audience and the dancers are sitting there dressed waiting on their contest etc. The giveaway is an important tradition that should be preserved but also should be adapted to fit the situation and time parameters.

amarie,

You bring some very good points to think about and discuss. How many times have we had to contest late at night because we had to wait on give aways?

I have already adapted a way to expedite my giveaways in consideration of the dancers who came to dance. The person speaking for me calls two people at a time. Once we see them coming up, we call the next two and so on... My family is used to this and already has in mind what they want to give each person as a gift.

[Zeke]

I've always just delivered items to folks at their camp, car or lawn chair: only using "arena time" to give things to the head staff.

Then? Get off the stage...

[WhoMe]

I've always just delivered items to folks at their camp, car or lawn chair: only using "arena time" to give things to the head staff.

Then? Get off the stage...

Zeke,

This brings up a question that I think you would be honest about...


Do you think some individuals "grandstand" during their giveaways?

[legalstraight]

WhoMe,
I wasn't gonna say it, but once or twice it has come up.

[Zeke]

Zeke,

This brings up a question that I think you would be honest about...


Do you think some individuals "grandstand" during their giveaways?

OF COURSE.

It's just like how some folks speak normally until given a mic, then it's, "broken English, elder-sounding" time. Or, in gourd dances, where it becomes dollar-dropping, follow the leader dancing, all afternoon. (I, personally, find the entire idea of contest dancing to be somewhat slimy, due to its "grandstanding and perform for the white folks," nature, but it's what we've become.)

Giveaways, done with grandeur, are merely inside sales: grandstanding at its best.

[WhoMe]

OF COURSE.

It's just like how some folks speak normally until given a mic, then it's, "broken English, elder-sounding" time. Or, in gourd dances, where it becomes dollar-dropping, follow the leader dancing, all afternoon. (I, personally, find the entire idea of contest dancing to be somewhat slimy, due to its "grandstanding and perform for the white folks," nature, but it's what we've become.)

Giveaways, done with grandeur, are merely inside sales: grandstanding at its best.

Zeke,

I knew I could count on you to deliver an unequivocal response.

[wardancer]

OF COURSE.

It's just like how some folks speak normally until given a mic, then it's, "broken English, elder-sounding" time. Or, in gourd dances, where it becomes dollar-dropping, follow the leader dancing, all afternoon. (I, personally, find the entire idea of contest dancing to be somewhat slimy, due to its "grandstanding and perform for the white folks," nature, but it's what we've become.)

Giveaways, done with grandeur, are merely inside sales: grandstanding at its best.

I would agree with Zeke on the aspect of the Gourd dance and the so called "Honorings " Away from central Oklahoma it seems to be the " In Thing : to get someone to honor over and over again , one person , then another , and another .......... by the time they're done it seems we all have our dollars back ! LOL
As far as giveaways.....I was taught to always have a respectable giveaway ( large ). Anyone that has ever been to Colony for the C/A pow-wow knows that some of those giveaways go all afternoon. I've seen truckloads of Pendletons , grocery baskets , shawls , etc , etc......And they give to everyone......Head Staff , friends and family , elders ........heck even the waterboys and visitors ! All of their giveaway is done in the arena......I've been to other pow-wows in other tribal areas that the folks do most of the giveaway outside the arena........I think it depends on how you were taught and where you are as to what is "proper".

[Zeke]

I think it depends on how you were taught and where you are as to what is "proper".

That makes sense.

[WhoMe]

I know giveaways are important and part of both powwow and tribal traditions.

One the other hand, LOOOOOOOOONG back-to-back giveaways, can kill a powwow.

[WocusWoman]

Up here, (alaska) giveaways are done following a traditional potlatch, many times the giveaway is combined. At powwow in Oregon, myself and extended family made arrangement to hold our grandmothers giveaway 1 1/2 hour before powwow, it worked out very well, and those people that made a point to be early to powwow received lots of good stuff. We did not want to delay or interrupt the powwow, but also made a big point in thanking the powwow committee for allowing use permission in using the grounds:)

[Josiah]

I know we are in for a long give away when the person speaking for the family starts out by saying: We only want to take a little bit of your time, then preceeds with a history lesson

You know in the Oscars the orchestra starts softly playing music when they want to speed them up, perhaps that will work at a powwow the drum just start softly playing a song
LOL

[ANNA NICOLE]

hi - I have personally done giveaways both in the arena and on the side. It depends on what is going on at the pw and what is going on personally. Sometimes, being at a powwow is all the good vibes I need to jump start myself. I always go through Major Pw withdrawl in the winter time. Anywho...if i'm feeling particularly bad, or if the pw is only like 6 hrs and i have to have a giveaway, i just have a song and then take care of the giveaway on the side. I think this is considerate for the people who came to dance not watch people collect gifts.

Just my 2 cents! :)