A colorful procession of pageantry known as The Grand Entry opens every Native American powwow. The tradition of presenting all the dancers and musicians for the powwow also doubles as an opportunity to honor native heritage, beliefs and heroes.

A website sponsored by Penn State University, New Faces of Ancient Peoples  – Traditional American Indian Powwow, vividly describes The Grand Entry. The  procession begins with the entry of the Eagle Staff. The majestic eagle is a bird sacred to many Native American traditions, and so represents the first nations, their elders, and the indigenous ways of life. Following the Eagle Staff come honored military veterans who serve as flag-bearers with banners symbolizing all the nations represented by the dangers.

Ironically, despite the many federal treaties that have been broken with indigenous peoples through the centuries, the Flag of the United States of America is given great honor and respect. All spectators, dancers, musicians and staff at a powwow are expected to stand, remove their hats, and show respect to the Eagle Staff, the U.S. flag, and all the native banners as they proceed around the arena.

Next come all the dancers participating in the powwow. They enter the arena from the east, dancing in their own styles to the beat of the drums. The dancers proceed in the order of their category, each led by the head man or head woman. Men’s Traditional, Grass Dancers and Fancy Dancers enter first. Then comes the Women’s Traditional class, first those who wear buckskin and then those in cloth dress. After that come the Jingle Dancers in their regalia covered with chiming metal cones, and the Women’s Fancy Shawl. Once the adults have entered, the Children dancers proceed into the arena in the same categories as their elders.

When all dancers have entered the competition area, musicians will sing a Flag Song. This song pays homage to the Eagle Staff and to the U.S. flag. Then musicians sing a follow-up song, after which a spiritual leader or tribal leader offers a prayer of thanks to the Creator for the powwow.

At the conclusion of the prayer, the Eagle Staff and the flags are “posted,” that is, set in holders to display them throughout the powwow. The first order of business then is a “Victory” ritual, also known as the Veterans Dance, in which all military veterans are invited to dance. This event is intended to show honor and respect to veterans as warriors who have protected the nations, including the United States.

As the veterans dance, all the dancers create a circle around the warriors. This circle represents the sacred cycle of life, giving homage to tribal ancestors that today’s indigenous people still carry their traditional ways in their hearts. The circle also gives witness to the Creator, whose Spirit is in all of life. Thus every powwow opens in deep reverence and homage to the connections with history and peoples.