The largest pow-wow in Atlantic Canadian history and the first national pow-wow or Mawio'mi (Mow-ee-OH-mee) ever held east of Montreal was held on the Halifax Common at the end of June and showcased competitive dancers and drummers from across North America.
"Membertou 400 (was) a colourful, joyful, spiritual celebration of our culture," said Deborah Ginnish, executive director of Membertou 400. "It (was) for people of all races and religions, and it (was) like nothing we have ever seen before in Atlantic Canada. And, for many of us, it (was) a life-long dream come true."
During the weekend you could experience a traditional Mi'kmaq village with cultural demonstrations; native dance, including fancy, traditional, jingle and grass dances, drum competitions, a marketplace with more than 40 aboriginal vendors and aboriginal cuisine tasting.
Grand Entry of First Nation people from Canada and United States of America
Pow-wow Protocol
The following infomation is taken from www.mikmaq.com Mi,kmaq Pow-wows on the east coast are not the same as those
which exist in many parts of North America. Usually this is not a competition (the photographs shown here were taken at the recent Halifax competition by Lynda Mallett).
That is why they are known as mawiomi’s, or gatherings.
They are very
family-oriented, so come and enjoy, but please be familiar with the
following basic rules: * Under no circumstances are drugs and/or alcohol allowed
on or near the pow-wow grounds.
* The actual dance area is known as the arbor. Please keep your
children out of the arbor, unless you are there with them and dancing.
* Stay out of the tipis, unless you first have permission
of the owner. For those which belong to the pow-wow commitee, first ask
permission.
* Never take a dancer’s picture without first asking their
permission.
* Never touch anyone’s regalia without asking permission. These are
not costumes and have spiritual significance to most dancers.
* Before taking any type of picture or video, ask the announcer
if
it is OK. Some dances are not allowed to be photographed, just as some
songs are not meant to be taped.
* Dress appropriately. This is not the time or place to show off
your shortest skirt or shorts, or skimpiest halter top. The grounds are
usually grass, so wear appropriate shoes. Wear comfortable walking shoes
or sneakers.
* Don’t forget the sunscreen and hats, especially for your
kids. A
jacket is always good, in case evenings are chilly. In other words, know
what the weather forecast is expected to be.
* Finally, do not come with any preconceived ideas as to what
“Indians” are supposed look like. We come in all different sizes, all
different shades, all different eye and hair colours. It has been 500 years, after
all.
Pow-wow Etiquette Many First Nations that still practice the traditional way of life,
share a common belief that when the Creator made this world, a
uniqueness and power to each nation was given-thus, nature and power and
the Indian People spoke the same language.
The spirit of the power is held sacred and only upon instruction from
the medicine man or woman, could this power be exercised. Songs and
dances that signified spirituality and religion were used in ceremonies.
Upon seeing these ceremonies, the early European explorers thought
powwow was the whole dance when it actually referred to healers and
spiritual leaders by the Algonquian phrase of Pau Wau.
A Powwow is a celebration of aboriginal culture. “Powwow” is an
Algonquin term meaning “medicine man” or “he who dreams”. A Powwow is a
unique event signified by social exchanges, cultural sharing and
ceremonious rituals. Indeed, the Powwow is a time of teaching, learning,
singing, dancing, feasting, sharing and healing.
Powwows are an expression of culture, pride, and identity. It is a
unifying ritual of the young and the old, a recollection of the past and
a celebration of the future. Each of the participants at a Powwow has a
significant contribution and a role in Aboriginal society. The elders
are the carriers of traditional teachings, which are shared with the
young and not-so young. It is the duty of the learners to respect their
elders for the wisdom that they hold. Women are highly regarded for they
are the bearers of life and ultimately of Aboriginal culture.
Throughout the Powwow, one can expect to experience the different
cultures of the First Nations. Dancers, singers, drummers, elders,
traditional teachers, craftsmen, food vendors converge from throughout
the Mi’kmaq traditional territory to participate in the excitement. The
Powwow begins each day with a grand entry entourage led by a flag bearer
carrying the eagle staff – the traditional flag. At this time, the drum
begins to reverberate and all are beckoned to remain standing and to
remove their hats for the Flag Song and the Veteran’s Song. The honour
to sing the Flag Song and Veteran’s Song is bestowed upon the host drum.
The eagle staff is held high above the ground, as the flag bearer
dances in a clockwise pattern from east to west around the dance area.
Behind the flag bearer, war veteran’s parade while carrying the Canadian
and American flags. Trailing behind the flag bearers are the lead
female and male dancers. Behind the lead dancers are the traditional
women, followed by the host of the Powwow. In single file come the male
traditional dancers, fancy shawl dancers, and last but not least the
children dancers.
Assembling in a circle of life no one is above another. The number four
is held sacred in respect to the four cardinal directions. When paying
respect, the east is honoured first. The East is where life began. No
one can survive without the sun and the sun rises in the east to bring
forth life.
Largest pow-wow in Atlantic Canada 
Pow-wow Protocol
They are very
family-oriented, so come and enjoy, but please be familiar with the
following basic rules:
* Stay out of the tipis, unless you first have permission
of the owner. For those which belong to the pow-wow commitee, first ask
permission.
* Before taking any type of picture or video, ask the announcer
if
it is OK. Some dances are not allowed to be photographed, just as some
songs are not meant to be taped.
* Don’t forget the sunscreen and hats, especially for your
kids. A
jacket is always good, in case evenings are chilly. In other words, know
what the weather forecast is expected to be.
Pow-wow Etiquette
A Powwow is a celebration of aboriginal culture. “Powwow” is an
Algonquin term meaning “medicine man” or “he who dreams”. A Powwow is a
unique event signified by social exchanges, cultural sharing and
ceremonious rituals. Indeed, the Powwow is a time of teaching, learning,
singing, dancing, feasting, sharing and healing.
Powwows are an expression of culture, pride, and identity. It is a
unifying ritual of the young and the old, a recollection of the past and
a celebration of the future. Each of the participants at a Powwow has a
significant contribution and a role in Aboriginal society. The elders
are the carriers of traditional teachings, which are shared with the
young and not-so young. It is the duty of the learners to respect their
elders for the wisdom that they hold. Women are highly regarded for they
are the bearers of life and ultimately of Aboriginal culture.
Throughout the Powwow, one can expect to experience the different
cultures of the First Nations. Dancers, singers, drummers, elders,
traditional teachers, craftsmen, food vendors converge from throughout
the Mi’kmaq traditional territory to participate in the excitement. The
Powwow begins each day with a grand entry entourage led by a flag bearer
carrying the eagle staff – the traditional flag. At this time, the drum
begins to reverberate and all are beckoned to remain standing and to
remove their hats for the Flag Song and the Veteran’s Song. The honour
to sing the Flag Song and Veteran’s Song is bestowed upon the host drum.
The eagle staff is held high above the ground, as the flag bearer
dances in a clockwise pattern from east to west around the dance area.
Behind the flag bearer, war veteran’s parade while carrying the Canadian
and American flags. Trailing behind the flag bearers are the lead
female and male dancers. Behind the lead dancers are the traditional
women, followed by the host of the Powwow. In single file come the male
traditional dancers, fancy shawl dancers, and last but not least the
children dancers.
The above informtion on etiquette can be found at