Sponsors

The University of Saskatchewan would like to thank the following sponsors for their support in the Annual Graduation Powwow

Platinum Sponsors

• Crown Investments Corporation
• Saskatoon Media Group

• Cameco
• Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation
• Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc.
• University of Saskatchewan

• CTV Media
• College of Arts and Science
• College of Nursing
• PotashCorp
• Student and Enrolment Services Division

• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• Department of Native Studies
• Edwards School of Business
• First Nation and Metis Relations
• Nexen Inc.
• One Earth Farms
• Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board
• Shell Canada

• Affinity Credit Union
• City of Saskatoon
• City of Saskatoon's Cultural Diversity and Race Relations
• College of Kinesiology
• College of Graduate Studies and Research
• Culligan of Canada
• Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation
• Mid Sask Enterprise Region
• Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science Technology
• Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
• Greater Saskatoon Catholic  Schools
• SaskTel Corporation

Friend Sponsors

• Department of Computer Science
• Department of Educational Foundations
• Department of Language and Linguistics
• Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching Effectiveness
• First Nations Bank of Canada
• Native Law Centre of Canada
• Peace Hills Trust
• Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority
• Saskatoon Police Service

Gallery

Dancers

There will be competitions in all Adult, Teen, Junior and Golden Age dance categories. Honorariums/day money will be paid for all non-placing dancers in the dance categories. Day money/honorariums for Tiny Tots will be awarded.

Dancers who are 16 years of age and older must provide a valid Social Insurance Number and mailing address (home community) in order to collect prize money or honorariums otherwise monies will not be awarded.

Prizes

Rules

• All contests are gender specific.
• All dancers may enter in one category only.
• Absolutely no caps or hats will be allowed with regalia during Grand Entry. Anyone caught wearing caps or hats will forfeit their points for Grand Entry.
• If a dancer drops or loses any piece of his/her regalia during dance contention, the contestant may remain in the contest, however, if a dancer walks off during contest, he/she will not be asked to return during that session under the judges’ discretion.
• No whistles allowed during the contest sessions. If any dancer blows a whistle, all Grand Entry and Contest points for that session will be eliminated.
• Any questions/conflicts that should arise regarding the Dance Contest that cannot be solved through the Head Judge will be directed to the Arena Director. All decisions made by the Arena Director are final. If a solution cannot be reached by the above parties, the Arena Director is required to contact the Powwow Committee Chairman. All decisions made by the Powwow Committee are final.

Drummers

Judging System

The drum competition judging system will consist of a five point system (1 = poor; 5 = excellent) with six categories:

1. Dancers’ Response
2. Singing/Harmony
3. Drum Rhythm
4. Cleanliness
5. Attendance for Number of Singers
6. Overall Performance

Prizes

Drum competition

Three-man Hand-Drum Competition

Rules

• All groups must register at least five (5) singers to participate in the contest.
• The Head Singer/Lead Drummer must register all drum groups members.
• At least one (1) member of each drum group must provide a valid Social Insurance Number and current mailing address otherwise honorariums/prize money cannot be awarded.
• All registered singers must be at their respective drums for drum roll call. Roll call will be 15 minutes prior to each Grand Entry. Each drum participating in roll call will be awarded 25 points. Five (5) points will be deducted for each singer missing.
• Drums not competing in contest must make drum roll call to be paid for that session.
• Drum groups must use the same number of registered singers for each song that they are asked to sing. There will be absolutely no drum hopping and no substitute singers used for drum roll call, inter-tribals, or contests.
• A person can participate in both the dance and drum contests. However, if the dance contest and the drum group are called at the same time, and if the dancer chooses to dance rather than sing, the drum group will lose points. If a dancer is with a drum group during Grand Entry and that drum is called upon for a Grand Entry song, his number will be taken by the Head Dance Judge only.
• Songs – Intertribals: 6 push ups (unless otherwise stated); Contest Songs: 4 push ups; Men’s Traditional/Grass and Women’s Traditional/Jingle: 4 push ups plus tail (if required in song).
• The MC/Announcer will notify each drum group in advance of what type of song they will be called upon to sing. The head judge will try to prevent song duplication by a drum group (i.e. crow hops, sneak ups, etc.).
• The Head Singer/Lead Drummer for each drum group will be held totally responsible for the behavior of his drum group.
• Appropriate song selection must be performed for each category (i.e. Traditional songs for Traditional dances, Grass songs for Grass dances, etc.).
• No whistles are permitted during dance contests.
• All tabulations are final!
• Any questions/conflicts that should arise regarding the Drum Contest that cannot be solved through the Head Judge will be directed to the Arena Director. All decisions made by the Arena Director are final. If a solution cannot be reached by the above parties, the Arena Director is required to contact the Powwow Committee Chairman. All decisions made by the Powwow Committee are final.

Traditions

Since the beginning of time, song has been a primary medium for facilitating prayer and thanks giving, socializing and confirmation of honours within First Nations cultures. The oral tradition of each First Nations culture has embedded within it a rich repertoire of these songs, many of which are thousands of years old. The drum has historically been the fundamental instrument of accompaniment to First Nations songs while for many the message and response are further accentuated through dance. The origin of many songs and dances are attributed to visions and each culture has individuals that were gifted in composition. Traditionally songs and dances were considered personal property of collective property of a specific group that could be given as gifts or bartered. In all First Nations cultures, song and dance played an integral role in demonstrating hospitality to visitors and celebrating events of significance.

Few of the early immigrants to North America acquired an appreciation for First Nations song and dance. In general they were viewed as archaic and many perceived First Nations song and dance to be central to war rituals. These perceptions have carried forward to the present and it has only been in recent decades that they have gained some recognition as legitimate forms of song and dance. Regardless of the perceptions, the colonists knew song and dance played an integral role in First Nations cultures, so they became a target in their endeavors to assimilate First Nations. All forms of First Nations song and dance were banned, in Canada and the United States, in the late 1880’s. The policy was not repealed in the United States until 1934 and in Canada it remained in effect until 1951.

The pre-reserve song and dance traditions of First Nations are the roots of the contemporary pan Indian powwow of today. Their evolution began during the time of the ban when promoters arranged with Indian Agents to have Indian encampments at their annual fairs and sports days as sideshow attractions. Another phenomenon which contributed to the evolution of powwows was the Wild West Show. A feature attraction of these traveling shows was the performance of mock battles between Indians and non-Indians and Indian dance demonstrations. Because promoters wanted a lively show that would attract an audience, they encouraged the Indian performers to modify their dances and regalia accordingly. The use of the name powwow holds its origin to this time period; the word originates from the Narangset First Nation from the east coast of the United States and actually refers to a shaman. Non-Indians misconstrued the meaning to be making reference to a group of Indian people who have gathered to perform rituals.

Protocol

Grand Entry

(Spectators should always stand and remove caps or hats during the grand entry, flag and victory songs and the invocation.)

The grand entry, adopted from the Wild West Shows and rodeos, is the gala parade of the dignitaries and dancers which opens each session of a powwow. One singing group is selected to sing in the grand entry which is lead by dancers carrying the eagle staffs, the Canadian and/or Union Jack and the American Flags. Provincial or state, tribal and other flags may also be brought in. A military guard, which may be comprised of veterans, those in active military duty, RCMP and community police, follows the flag bearers. They are followed by the dignitaries (such as Chief and Council, visiting government officials, special guests, sponsors and the powwow committee organizers). The dignitaries are followed by the powwow royalty and/or visiting royalty who are followed by the men’s traditional, grass and fancy dancers, and then by the women’s traditional, jingle and fancy shawl dancers. The youth follow the adults in the same categorical order.

The dancers and dignitaries dance in a sunwise or clockwise path around the dancing area until all have entered the dancing area. When all have entered, the grand entry song is concluded. Then another singing group is called upon to sing the flag song which is comparable to the national anthem. The dancers and dignitaries remain in their position during the flag song. Following the flag song is the victory song during which the dancers and dignitaries dance in place to the beat of the drum. At the conclusion of the victory song, an Elder is called upon to address the people and render a prayer. The eagle staff and flags are then posted, during which time the flag bearers and military guard are introduced.

(Once the eagle staff and flags have been posted, the spectators may be seated.)

Following the posting of the flags the dignitaries are introduced. At the opening session of a powwow the Chief of the host First Nation or organization gives a welcoming address. Other dignitaries may also be called upon to make an address when being introduced. After the dignitaries, the powwow royalty and/or visiting royalty are introduced. When introductions are completed, the announcer will call upon a drum group to sing an intertribal song which initiates the intertribal dancing for the session.

(During the introductions and speeches, the dancers remain stationary in their position).

Audio or Visual Recording

Audio or visual recording, by any means, of any of the official events of the University of Saskatchewan Powwow for other than personal use, without the explicit written permission of the Aboriginal Students Center is strictly prohibited. Also, flash photography is stringent as it poses a distraction while the dancers are performing. Be courteous to request permission of the dancers for pictures or video to be taken.