| The American Indian Activities Committee, or AIA, offers numerous events during the conference. Some of these events include training sessions, workshops, and competitions. However, one of the most prominent events that AIA hosts are the individual and group dance competitions. These competitions give youth participants from all over the country a chance to compete in their particular style of dance, while also being evaluated by experienced judges. | |
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Unfortunately only the top performers are rewarded, yet the competition as a whole is meant to be a competition against one self rather than the group. During the course of the dance competitions the judges inform each dancer of their strengths and weaknesses so they can learn from this experience and improve their style. There are six different categories in the dance competition including: group dance, Fancy Dance, Grass Dance, Straight Dance, Old-Style Dance, and Traditional Dance |
| Dancers are judged, not on their style and grace alone, but also on the costuming they wear. The Indian costumes can take a extraordinary amount of time to research and assemble. It is a long and toilsome effort to make good costumes that will hold up under the pressures of the dance movements. One requirement of the competitions is that no part of the costume may come loose or fall off while dancing. These costumes are always very precise and very intricate. The ultimate honor for a dancer at NOAC is to advance to the final round of competition. For it is these champion dancers that will perform at the American Indian Activities Show on Monday night in front all the Arrowman at the conference. The dance competitions are always a fun part of NOAC to watch. The dancers work extremely hard and their efforts are very much applauded. |
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Revised 8/2/2004