Grand Entry - Grand Entry is the opening dance for the celebration. All Native Americans in regalia are arranged in order to dance. The order is chief, flag carriers, men, women and children. THERE IS NO PICTURE-TAKING DURING GRAND ENTRY.
Flag Song - A flag song is dedicated to the women and men who have served in the armed forces in various wars. To Native Americans, this song is the equivalent of the national anthem. ALL STAND WHEN IT IS SUNG. There is no dancing to this song, but all stand out of respect. Women whose father, brother, son, daughter or other relative is a combat veteran may dance in their place. The flag song is usually sung at the start of most Native American activities. THERE IS NO PICTURE-TAKING DURING THE FLAG SONG.
Veteran's Dance - These dances feature special songs to honor all our veterans. ALL STAND TO SHOW THEIR RESPECT. Often veterans in the audience are asked to join in. THERE IS NO PICTURE-TAKING DURING THE VETERAN'S DANCE.
Honor Dance - This type of dance is called to honor a specific person. TO SHOW RESPECT EVERYONE STANDS IN SILENCE. If you know the person being honored, you may join in. At the end of the dance, those who participated are thanked by the honored person and his/her family.
Blanket Dance - These dances are called to help with the traveling expenses of the drum or the costs of producing the celebration. During this dance four women or young ladies carry a blanket or shawl around the arena. We encourage you to contribute and give you thanks for doing so.
Intertribal Dance - When the Master of Ceremonies calls an intertribal, everyone is welcome to Dance. The dancers step around the area sun-wise (clock-wise). Spectators may wear street clothes, but are asked to wear shoes.
Round Dance - This is a social dance. Many Native American nations arranged their dancers according to gender, age and status. Some nations danced as families. A round dance was one of the few where women and men danced together.
Men's Traditional - Usually refers to the style of the regalia worn. The dancers wear fur, hide, teeth and claws. Some may wear bustles, deer hoof jungles, head dresses and carry dance sticks or fans. The dance itself is very interesting as the dancer determines how he will dance. Some may imitate an animal, re-enact deeds of bravery or simply dance as the spirit moves them.
Woman's Traditional - The regalia worn by women may be buckskin or trade cloth. Buckskin-clad women may dress in three hide dresses decorated with beadwork or elk's teeth. Trade cloth-clad women may wear camp or tawr dresses. All carry a small bag, fan and shawl. The dance style is stately and graceful. Some dancers remain stationary, keeping time by bouncing to the drum beat, and others may move in a sun-wise directions with deliberate and regal movements.
Two Step - This is a "Lovers Dance." This is the only dance where women and men touch. In a two step, the woman chooses her partner. If she is refused, the man must compensate the asker in some way.
Crow Hop - This dance honors the spirit of Our Brother, the Crow. The steps themselves are done on the dancer's heels, giving him the distinctive walk of the Crow.
Straight Dance - The regalia of these dancers include ribbon shirts, bone hair pipe chokers, otter skin trailers, woven belts and garters. The style of dance is similar to the Traditional. Songs for this dance may be fast, such as a "Crow Hop." Straight dancing requires the wisdom of both traditional and new songs.
Fancy Dance - This type of dance most likely originated during the early 1920s. The regalia is most striking with "U" shaped bustles, much beadwork and bright colors. The dancers are notable for their rapid footwork and originality. This is a fast-paced dance with spins, turns and leaps.
Shawl Dance - This is the women's fancy dance. The regalia is made from cloth with matching leggings. The most important part is the shawl, which is worn draped over the dancer's shoulders. Bright colors, fringe, beadwork and ribbon-work complement the shawl. The dance style is fast-paced and requires a great deal of stamina. The women whirl and leap, in constant motion to the beat of the drum.
Sneak Up - This dance remembers the old ways of the hunter and the warrior. In the Sneak Up, the dancer imitates the movements used in stalking prey and those needed to evade the enemy. Skilled Sneak Up dancers give insights into a long gone expertise that was once needed to survive.
Jingle Dress Dance - This dance is based on a very old Ojibwa story of a shaman whose daughter was very ill. During his prayer to the creator, the shaman was directed to make a dress decorated with a shell for each day of the year. If his daughter danced in this dress, she would get well. The shaman made the dress, his daughter danced in it and was cured. Instead of shells, modern dancers sew tin cone jingles onto their dresses. One hand rests on the dancer's hip while she carries a fan in the other. The steps may seem easy, but it takes a great deal of effort to blend smooth footwork and the gentle hops that cause the tin cones to jingle in time to the drumbeats.
War Dance - A very dignified dance with its roots in the warrior societies of the plains. This dance honors those who duty it was to defend their homes and families. It honors the return of the warriors and commemorates those who didn't. Dancers move to the drum according to their own interpretation, telling what is in their hearts.
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