Heat???

[Nezbah]

@#[email protected]#%@#$%@!!!!!!

Dupe.....LOL

[ok24stacey]

I remember one year at Hinkley, bout what 7 years ago or so, anyway it was so hot we were like spritzing the elders with water bottles and them songs were just going and going. they were dropping that year also. never been to an OK powwow, but that was my thought, that it would or could get way to late.

Well you need to!!

[thizgirlpowwows]

I know at Rosebud they did have a tent that was giving free water to the dancers........run by some ministry, but it seems liked if they were running behind, they should have exhibitioned the junior category and gave the teens one song............hopefully this weekend, i dont end up at a powwow where its african hot...LOL

[Coyot_In_The_House]

....

Sang in Ethete WY. back in 2002 N it was Hot! Good powwow.....I remember starting in the late afternoon....Didn't really run too late but we were there till 1am or so....Sure beats 4am! Dry air is by far less stifling then humid! So I can deal with dry heat. Barona was a scorcher too in 2004, good powwow though. Recently Alexis Powwow in AB Canada was purty warm and Sioux Valley MB was soupy too....Both good ones too....Remember Hollywood and a few powwows down in Florida felt like I just got out of a hot shower! Hinckley MN can get toasty! Shawnee OK was 110 the last time I was there! To sum it up.....You don't want to see folks passing out or hiding from the sun....So if the staff running da show can hustle up....Certainly later starts are good.....

[superndngyrl]

Another good reason for later grand entry starts is WORK! If you work and all the good pow-wows happen to be in one month, then its hard to take off EVERY friday just so u can pow-wow.

I think 8PM grand entries are best. I know some people have to get out of the park or whatever by a certain time but I think keeping the "working" indians in mind is always a good idea.

[Wojapi4Me]

I think 8PM grand entries are best. I know some people have to get out of the park or whatever by a certain time but I think keeping the "working" indians in mind is always a good idea.

I would agree...8pm is a good time to start. It's cooled down...people have had a chance to get off work, eat, get to the dance and get dressed.

What do you guys think the chances of some of these pow wows changing to night contesting only? It'd be nice that's for sure.

And why did we start having to dance multiple sessions of contest songs? I remember dancing to one session...maybe 2-3 songs and that was it...the contest was done...judge it...turn it in...award the $$...

[Nezbah]

Yeah........later GE's!!! LOL. I just don't like it when they have the JR's, Teen's, and Golden Age running their contests during the day, the hottest point of the day. Plus having spot checks during the height of the heat too, that's really too wrong. I see the points of the 'point system' and trying to get us to dance, etc. But there should be a limit, since powwows do get cancelled or postponed due to rain, storms, and wind, come on committee's need to really pay attention to the temp too.

I think it was Indio, they used to, not sure nowadays, have the misting in the arbor. Man, that was nice. Oh well, maybe we'll see some changes next year....maybe not....

Actually I found this on Yahoo, today.

Normally, sweating allows you to cool yourself if the sweat-related liquid that forms can evaporate into the air. This becomes more and more difficult as the moisture in the air, i.e. humidity, increases. It is important to recognize the early symptoms of heat-related illness, because your condition can deteriorate quite rapidly and become a serious health emergency.

There are important ways to stay out of trouble when staying active in the heat. This is true not only for football players but also runners, tennis players, soccer stars and virtually every athlete. Even non-athletes, who don't exercise, can suffer the effects of heat related illness. This is especially true for the elderly who are particularly susceptible to heat.

To beat the heat, keep the following in mind:

Your body needs time to acclimatize to the heat. This acclimatization process occurs over a 7-14 day period. This means that the first few days of training camp or exercise in a hot environment should be relatively easy. Better yet, athletes should spend several weeks before getting to training camp practicing some activities in the heat to allow their body to adapt, and become more efficient at dealing with the heat.
Adequate hydration is essential. Water, water everywhere. Athletes need to drink water well before starting (i.e. "camel-up"), they need to take frequent water breaks, and they need to replenish lost fluids after practice. Some individuals are more prone to heat exhaustion because they tend to sweat more and lose more fluids. Weighing yourself first thing in the morning (after urinating), before practice, and after practice will help you know how much fluids you're losing. A 2 percent drop in body weight due to fluid loss is considered significant and means dehydration. Unfortunately your body is not very good at giving thirst related signals. It is not like your car where a red light goes on when it is ready to overheat. Once you're thirsty, it is usually too late to replenish fluids if you're continuing to play and sweat. You can not play catch-up. There should be easy access to fluids and intake should be encouraged by coaches and trainers. In the "old days" it was a sign of weakness to drink. Now it's an absolute sign of stupidity not to.
Practices should be held in the early morning or later in the day before heat and humidity rise. Lightweight, light colored "breathable" clothing should be worn. There are many new options in terms of clothing materials in terms of keeping you cool. I find Nike's Col-Max particularly helpful. In football practice, avoid full pads, uniforms, etc. the first few days or in extreme conditions.
Athletes who are overweight, out of shape, or have certain medical conditions are more prone to heat-related illness. Sunburn can predispose to problems, as can alcohol use and certain medications, especially diuretics.
Once you develop signs of heat illness, you must stop the activity immediately and get to a cool, shady place. Remove any extra unnecessary clothing. Elevate legs higher than your heart and drink plenty of fluids. Ice packs can be placed in the armpit or axillary area, as well as the front hip/groin area. This helps rapidly cool the body. Early signs of heat illness can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness and even muscle cramps. Heat stroke is the most serious version and usually involves mental status changes, and even collapse. If this occurs or is suspected, then it is a medical emergency and immediate medical help should be sought.
The American Council on Exercise offers heat-related advice and a handy "Heat Stress Index" chart, as well as some excellent tips on "Healthy Hydration" (focusing on how much to drink before, during and after exercise).

If you are a parent, coach or athlete, learning more about heat-related illnesses can save a life. Remember, serious heat-related problems, including death, are totally preventable. Don't let the heat get you down

[Nezbah]

Uck.....these dupe posts!!!! LOL

[TKMJ Productions]

OK is a state that is "native friendly". Most states are not. Try running a powwow past midnight in the midwest inside city limits. The cops will shut you down for noise restrictions. Besides most powwow committees can not afford the extra costs involved in lighting the circle for dance at night, and the extra costs involved in keeping the sound techs happy. My guys work 12 hours a day on a powwow weekend now. Add a night session and they must then work 16 to 18 hours or double the sound staff and create shifts. You also need to look at the drums too. It's hard enough to sit in the heat all day singing. Our drums work 4 to 8 hours a day under the arbor. Now push their voices an additional 4 hours at night. You will also need to pay the drums more and feed them extra meals. Rock stars only work 2 or 3 hours a day then retreat to an air conditioned area. (Real Tough Guys.... Put them inside the drum arbor! The wouldn't last the day, let alone a full weekend!!! LOL!!!) Gotta look at the MC an AD as well. You may need to get more people to work those jobs.

Keep the powwow going in the afternoon and take breaks often to cool the dancers. Dancers can come and go as they please. Have a huge supply of water on hand along with a good med staff in the circle checking the dancers. Have fresh fruits available to replace electrolytes. Planning out the circle is the key. Place the circle near a grouping of tall trees to make shade from the afternoon sun.

Just a little note: You can always start Grand Entry at 9:00AM when it is cooler in the daylight on a Sunday. It sure beats a Grand Entry when the hot sun is high beating on your head. It is also a lot easier on everyone involved. And everyone gets home on time for work Monday morning along with a little rest.

[Lakota_winyan]

yeah I think the later ge's and the night dancin would be ok..prob not everywhere...but where its possible.....

[timmy tiger]

I know what Nezbah is saying. There is a pow wow that I go to that they not only pass out water, but they have a 1st aid tent right there and they have kids bringing around Watermellon and vegetable plates to everyone there: Staff, Dancers, Drums, Vendors and spectators and they don't just do it once, but all weekend long and throughout the day. They also feed all participants breakfast and dinner for both days and that's really nice. There is only one that I know of, but there may be more. I have seen a little here or a little there, but not like this. But then I don't get all over the place like some may.

It was hot and there was only one drum and they really took their time for the drum and the dancers. It was nice to see. They tried and then they fed everyone afterwards.

[hobbs49]

In the NC and VA area, many of the PW's that I've been to haven't been contests. And they aren't been in city limits either. But they still dance in midday and early evening. It seems that most are over before dark. I think that lighting is one of the main causes for this scheduling. Although I've been to a couple of powwows that are using the portable work lights to provide some light for the dancers, they work OK. I've been to a couple of dances this year where people were carted off in the ambulance, one was a spectator I think, the other a dancer, in both cases, I think it was the lack of water.

I'm guessing too that another reason for the early starts/ends may have to do with church on Sunday morning and getting back home to work on Monday morning. There are a lot of good hard working christian families here in the Bible belt after all. Just a thought.

[thizgirlpowwows]

Adequate hydration is essential. Water, water everywhere. Athletes need to drink water well before starting (i.e. "camel-up"), they need to take frequent water breaks, and they need to replenish lost fluids after practice.
If you are a parent, coach or athlete, learning more about heat-related illnesses can save a life. Remember, serious heat-related problems, including death, are totally preventable. Don't let the heat get you down

so remember people next powwow, dont forget to "camel up", that's funny.......LOL but seriously, there are a lot of good points made here.........like TKMJ stated, you can run powwows in the afternoon, but take lots of breaks and drink lots of water and NO spot checks.........thats a idea, having an arbor by trees for shade.......the dancers are dancing under the hot sun while us spectators are in the shade hmmm...........