The Powwow is the Great Ceremony. At one time, long before World War I they were Formal Ceremonies that the Spiritual Heads, the Men-Doctors and the Elders called them "Pauwauing Meetings" or "Pauwauing". Religious ceremonies for the care of the sick that took place after the harvest of the fruits of the earth. A Thanksgiving and Prayer Meeting. After the provisions had been accumulated and after all the work had been completed then, these Pauwauing Meetings were held where the Clans and all the families gathered to give thanks to the Creator.

After World War I, in these Pauwauing Meetings, "ALL" soldiers were also honored (natives and non-natives) thanking the Creator for preserving their lives! The term Pouwauing / Pauwau which later became Powwow belongs to the Algoquian language (Canada: area that goes from the Ottawa River up to and including Lake Superior). Today the Powwows continue to be ceremonies where "mainly" the tradition is experienced! The religious / spiritual purpose is the same: "the care of the sick", we dance for those who cannot dance and sing for those who cannot sing ... please sing and dance. It is a Great Ceremony where the American Indian Families, the Clans and the Nations of the whole North American territory meet. It is a gathering where news, ideas, songs, dances, art and even Fashion are exchanged ... Powwows takes place one after the other in various states of the USA following what is called today the Powwow Path. In recent years, the Aztec nations of Central America have also begun to attend Powwows

The most important element of the Powwow is "the Drum" which with its constant and rhythmic melody represents the Heartbeat of Mother Earth. The Arena or Arbor is Sacred! The Arbor is given the utmost respect as if it were the interior of one of our churches. Many families come from far away but neither time nor distance are important. The important thing in this American Indian pilgrimage is to relive Tradition! A purely American Indian event! When the Powwow is about to start there is a great silence. A silence that envelops and involves even non-Indian visitors almost as if it were a sense of belonging for All! The Regalia and eagle feathers are treated with the utmost respect. Once the short, medium or long "Indian Time" is reached then, It starts !!! There is a different conception of "TIME" for American Indians… When all the drums and all the dancers are ready, They start! Now is the moment of blessing and we bless The whole Arbor of the Powwow. New blood, new life! A purely American Indian event!

. Immediately afterwards the Flag Bearers (that of the United States of America and that of the State that hosts the Powwow) enter the Great Circle together with the Bearer of the Eagle Pole and the "Grand Entry" begins: the dancers of many Nations enter the Arbor and they are alot. Once inside the flag song is sang followed by a prayer ... We are here to honor the past and to be proud of our future ... and then, it ends with the song of Victory. At this point, the Drums start and the Heartbeat of Mother Earth is heard. Hundreds of American Indians, men, women, mothers with their babies in their arms, boys and girls, youngsters and elders (who remain almost still) dance with their light moccasins.

The women in the Dance represent a butterfly that emerges from the cocoon. The purpose of the Dance is to look like floating as if the feet did not touch the ground. The dancing men make an offer to heal all the needy. They dance for those who can't dance and those who aren't ready to dance.
They are warriors, protectors and storytellers. Through their movements and Regalia tell stories of a a hunt, a battle or a victory ... Everyone has their own personal sense in the dance, in the sound of the drum, in the song, in being present at the Powwow. Your own prayer! Even the American Indians who gather around the Arbor, the drums, and the Dancers participate in the Powwow, they are not mere spectators. They too pray!