Pow-wow
Secwepemc pow-wows retain traditional cultural activities that are expressed in songs, dances, food, sharing and prayer. Most Secwepemc pow-wows begin with a Grand Entry where chiefs, princesses, elders, organizers and dancers enter the circular arena. When the flags of British Columbia, Canada and United States as well as eagle staffs of other tribes are brought in, everyone is asked to stand to show their respect. Each flag represents something different such as the countries they live in, their ancestors that fought for them, and the people that fought against them.
The
Secwepemc eagle staff has an eagle claw at the top with seventeen eagle
feathers along the staff. The feathers represent the seventeen bands in
the Secwepemc Nation.
After everyone has entered the arena the Flag song ends. The arena remains silent for the elder to begin the opening prayer. The prayer is to thank the Creator for the brothers and sisters who are the animals, trees and plants. These are to be respected. Thanks are also given to the Creator for the sun, wind and food.
The
host chief welcomes everyone to the pow-wow and asks everybody to show
respect to the elders, to each other and to themselves.
There are about eight drums and an average of ten people per drum. People
on the drums are required to know a wide variety of songs so that they
are not repeated. A lead singer starts to sing and introduces the song
to the other drummers. The lead is repeated for the rest of the drummers
to join in. There are a wide variety of songs that range from social to
religious to war.
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