A Pow Wow is a gathering of nations for a celebration of singing, drumming and dancing. All are welcome. Sometimes there is a small entry cost that is good for the day. Often there is camp space available if you want to stay for the weekend. Cameras are allowed, but there are certain dances that cannot be photographed or videotaped. The MC will announce when a dance can't be recorded.

      At a competition Pow Wow dancers are divided into categories based on age, male or female and dance style. There are Traditional Dancers, Fancy Dancers, Jingle Dress Dancers, Grass Dancers, Hoop Dancers and many more. Age groups include the Golden Age, Men's and Women's, Teen, Jr. Girls and Boys, as well as the ever popular Tiny Tots. Dancers are judged by their regalia and their dancing ability. There is an Arena Director or Whip to keep the dancers organized and to watch that things are done correctly. There is an MC to communicate to the audience and there are usually different judges called upon for each competition. Drum groups are also judged.

      The dancing arena is circular and is called an Arbor. The front seats of the Arbor are for Dancers, Drummers and their families. Elders are given a special seating area. Everyone else usually brings their own seats(such as folding chairs or blankets) to set up around the circle.

      Most Pow Wows start Friday night with a Grand Entry. This is when all the dancers are drummed in. They follow flag carriers, who carry flags representing the nations present and an eagle feather staff. When this occurs, you should stand and take off your hat. This is followed by the dance competitions. There is a Grand Entry at least every day.

      A Pow Wow is a gathering and celebration - one which everyone is welcome to. Yet there is a spiritual component to Pow Wows. Many traditions are inherent in the dances. Elders teach the dancers, especially the youth, the spiritual teachings that they need to know to truly be Pow Wow dancers. That is because truly being a Pow Wow dancer involves more than just dancing in the summer - it is a way of life. Sometimes this is called the Red Road. This means learning to live a good life based on spirituality and traditions. Pow Wow dancers learn what they need to know to be good people and good leaders. The teachings are more important than how well they dance or how nice their outfits are. If the dancers listen to the teachings, they will dance well. Their outfits will also be beautiful because dancers are taught to take pride in themselves. If we are proud of ourselves, we can practice our tradition of respecting others.

      Dancers are warned to take care that all the parts of their outfits are firmly attached. If a feather comes off during their dancing, the dance is interrupted by the Arena Director. The Arena Director chooses an appropriate ceremony to pick up the feather and everyone is told what has happened. This ceremony cannot be photographed or videotaped. This usually includes a drum song, an elder dancer to dance and pick up the feather and give words of advice. The ceremony is a teaching for the dancers as well as the audience. It shows how important it is to respect oneself and our culture. The eagle feather is a very sacred object. It symbolizes spiritual strength. The way we treat the eagle feather is the way we show our respect for our ancestors, our culture and ourselves.