The History of "Powwow"

The noun "powwow" comes from the Narragansett Eastern Algonquian language. While direct translations to English vary, the underlying definition is any gathering of Native people. The modern powwow has evolved from the Grass Dance Societies that formed in the 1800s. This was originally a social event that allowed Tribes to re-enact treaties as their members witnessed. This event would later become the one of the only means for Native people to preserve their culture. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the displacement of Native Americans as Tribes east of the Mississippi River were forced to surrender their land and move to designated lands in the west. As the U.S. government focused on expanding west, it passed the Indian Appropriations Act of 1851. Native Americans were then displaced into more restricted lands we now know as reservations. During this removal period, many Tribes were forced to share the land with Tribes they had poor relationships with and/or Tribes unknown to them. This systemic approach to oppress and eradicate Native Americans continued by typical ceremonies and customs being prohibited at reservations. However, Grass Dance Societies were permitted. Native Americans began to realize the only way for their culture to survive was to compromise and compile. Therefore, "Inter-Tribalism" grew as songs, dances, clothing, food, and art were shared. This event was used by the Native people to keep their identities alive, and it would later become known as a powwow in the mid-1900s.

The 2020-2021 Homecoming Executive Council made the decision to change the name of the Homecoming student pep rally from "Pow Wow" to "Homecoming Live". Read the attached press release to learn more about the decision.

Press Release

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