Six Forces of Culture
Six Forces of Culture
Six Forces of Culture: My Chosen Event Prince George’s Annual Traditional POW Wow is an event put on by the Prince George Friendship Centre, it takes place at the Carrie Jane Gray Park. It is rich in energy and historical popular culture. Hosting the powwow is a way of ensuring the rich heritage of the aboriginal people is preserved. The word Pow Wow, or pau wau, means a gathering of people coming together to trade. Explorers misinterpreted the ceremony of medicine men dancing, thinking all natives gathered to sing and dance in this manner.
The modern day Pow Wow evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed during the early 1800 's. The dances were an opportunity for the warriors to reenact their brave deeds for all the members of the tribe to witness.
The growth of reservations gave rise to the modern Pow Wow. This was a time of transition for Native peoples across North America. Native customs and religions were outlawed. The Grass Dance was one of the few celebrations that were allowed into this new era. The Grass Dance became an opportunity to maintain some of the earlier tribal customs that were vanishing. As other communities and tribes were invited to these celebrations, rights of ownership of sacred items necessary to the Grass Dance were transferred from one band to the other Intertribalism emerged with sharing songs and dances. Today’s Pow Wows offer an updated unique, rich cultural and heritage type experience attracting travelling folk visiting the area. It also allows members of different bands an opportunity to gather together to share and celebrate in their Native American heritage through dancing, music, drum circles, food, games, art exhibits and songs such as the Owl Dance Song. Prince George’s First Nations are known as the Carrier Sekani First Nations people speaking the traditional Dakelh language. Dressed in their exquisite traditional attire they compete in many dances to rhythmic drumming. The Men and
Six Forces of Culture: My Chosen Event Prince George’s Annual Traditional POW Wow is an event put on by the Prince George Friendship Centre, it takes place at the Carrie Jane Gray Park. It is rich in energy and historical popular culture. Hosting the powwow is a way of ensuring the rich heritage of the aboriginal people is preserved. The word Pow Wow, or pau wau, means a gathering of people coming together to trade. Explorers misinterpreted the ceremony of medicine men dancing, thinking all natives gathered to sing and dance in this manner.
The modern day Pow Wow evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed during the early 1800 's. The dances were an opportunity for the warriors to reenact their brave deeds for all the members of the tribe to witness.
The growth of reservations gave rise to the modern Pow Wow. This was a time of transition for Native peoples across North America. Native customs and religions were outlawed. The Grass Dance was one of the few celebrations that were allowed into this new era. The Grass Dance became an opportunity to maintain some of the earlier tribal customs that were vanishing. As other communities and tribes were invited to these celebrations, rights of ownership of sacred items necessary to the Grass Dance were transferred from one band to the other Intertribalism emerged with sharing songs and dances. Today’s Pow Wows offer an updated unique, rich cultural and heritage type experience attracting travelling folk visiting the area. It also allows members of different bands an opportunity to gather together to share and celebrate in their Native American heritage through dancing, music, drum circles, food, games, art exhibits and songs such as the Owl Dance Song. Prince George’s First Nations are known as the Carrier Sekani First Nations people speaking the traditional Dakelh language. Dressed in their exquisite traditional attire they compete in many dances to rhythmic drumming. The Men and
References: McCormick, R. and Wong, P.T.P. (2005). Adjustment and Coping In Wong, P.T.P., Wong, L.C.J. and Lonner, W.J. (2005). Aboriginal People in Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives On Stress and Coping, Springer Publishing. Waldram, J.B., Herring, D.A. and Young, T.K. 2000. Aboriginal Health in Canada: Historical, Cultural, and Epidemiological Perspectives, University of Toronto Press. The University of Calgary, 2000 http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/firstnations/civilisations.html