When I heard about the name I thought it was just a joke. You know, the kind of name one creates out of nowhere. But Pow-wow does exist! Someone told me thPow-wow,at the term Pow-wow was derived from the shout or chant American Indians do — like that long shrilling powowowowow…
The little research I did, however, revealed a different beginning. 
Pow-wow (sometimes powwow or pow wow or pau wau) actually means folk magic. The name was taken from Narragansett word powwaw, meaning “spiritual leader”. For many years, it has become a gathering of North America’s indigenous people – the Native Americans.
A pow-wow event in recent definition consists of people (Native American and non-Native American alike) meeting in one particular area to dance, sing, socialize, and generally have a good time.
Dancing, singing, socializing, and generally having a good time. Those were exactly what I saw and experienced when I attended the Pow-wow 2007 event at Flandreau, South Dakota last weekend.
A pow-wow session begins with the Grand Entry, during which all the dancers line up by dance style and age, then enter the arena while one of the host drums sings an opening song. This event is sacred in nature, and many Native individuals often do not allow filming or photography during this time.
Most of the various types of dances performed at a pow-wow are descended from the dances of the Plains tribes of Canada and the United States. Besides those for the opening and closing of a pow-wow session, the most common is the intertribal, where a drum will sing a song and anyone who wants to can come and dance. Similar dances are the trot dance, called a crow hop when performed by a northern drum or a horse stealing song by a southern drum, and the round dance. Each of these songs have a different step to be used during them, but are open for dancers of any style.It was a 2-day event but I only saw the second day. I bet, the first one was equally amazing.
To see the native Americans in their native costumes and appreciating their culture though dances and songs was worth the experience. It was kinda similar to the Sinulog festival in Cebu, Philippines, if one has to think of the colorful dresses and the jubilation it creates. Yet the aura at Pow-wow was different.
I heard that there is also an annual Pow-wow here in Brookings, around mid February. I’ll check it out next year and see how it fares with what I experienced in Flandreau.
For the date and best time to visit Pow-Wow, see the event website.
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Where to stay in Flandreau, South Dakota.
Flandreau is a small town. The best place to stay if you intend to visit Flandreau is in Brookings, South Dakota. That is about 30 minutes drive.
Super 8 Brookings Sd (around $85 a night)
Situated in Brookings, Super 8 Brookings Sd is close to McCrory Gardens, South Dakota State University, and Edgebrook Golf Course. Also nearby is Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Super 8 Brookings Sd has an indoor pool and a spa tub. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas. There is a business center on site. Guests are served a complimentary breakfast each morning. Additional amenities include laundry facilities and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Complimentary self parking is available onsite for guests. The 5 guestrooms at Super 8 Brookings Sd include air conditioning. Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access is provided. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs with cable channels. In-room microwaves and refrigerators are provided.
Quality Inn (around $94 a night)
Situated in the heart of Brookings, Quality Inn is close to McCrory Gardens, South Dakota State University, and Edgebrook Golf Course. Also nearby is Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Guests are served a complimentary breakfast. In addition to a fitness center, Quality Inn features complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Wireless Internet access is complimentary in public areas. Self parking is complimentary. The 50 air-conditioned guestrooms at Quality Inn include coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Guests can use the in-room complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access. Televisions are equipped with cable channels. All accommodations provide phones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). All units feature microwaves and refrigerators.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brookings (around $120 a night)
Situated in Brookings, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brookings is close to McCrory Gardens, South Dakota State University, and Edgebrook Golf Course. Also nearby is Children’s Museum of South Dakota. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brookings has an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. Additional amenities include multilingual staff, laundry facilities, and coffee/tea in the lobby. Self parking is complimentary. Guestrooms at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brookings offer complimentary newspapers and coffee/tea makers. Televisions are equipped with premium cable channels. All accommodations provide desks along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). In-room microwaves and refrigerators are provided. Additional amenities include hair dryers and irons/ironing boards.
