The Powwow Exhibition Team Dance is a competition allowing youth to use their modern-day powwow dance clothes for another competition other than the individual dance style competitions. This is another way for the AIA program to “fuel the fire” for our youth Arrowmen across the nation. Much like a high school cross-country team, you race for yourself in the individual competition and now for your team as well.
A. Teams
Teams shall have a minimum of four (4) members. All members MUST be from the same lodge. No section teams or teams made up of members from more than one lodge may enter the competition. All team participants must be under twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of the conference, be registered members of the BSA and the Order of the Arrow, and be registered conference participants. If a team’s dance show involves audience participation, the team is responsible for bringing extra members from their lodge to the competition to act as “audience members” for the performance. Audience members will also need to be youth members of the Order of the Arrow. NOAC staff and the AIA Dance Competition staff will NOT provide additional people for a dance team’s exhibition.
Teams shall have a minimum of four (4) members. All members MUST be from the same lodge. No section teams or teams made up of members from more than one lodge may enter the competition. All team participants must be under twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of the conference, be registered members of the BSA and the Order of the Arrow, and be registered conference participants. If a team’s dance show involves audience participation, the team is responsible for bringing extra members from their lodge to the competition to act as “audience members” for the performance. Audience members will also need to be youth members of the Order of the Arrow. NOAC staff and the AIA Dance Competition staff will NOT provide additional people for a dance team’s exhibition.
B. Acceptable Dances
The purpose in having this competition is for lodges to showcase exhibition dances that may be seen at powwows today. This would include such dance demonstrations and exhibitions that they may do for Cub Scout meetings, service organizations, or any other public performances. Teams can choose to showcase a variety of things, including, but not limited to, contemporary powwow dance style demonstrations or a choreographed team dance of multiple dancers of the same or different dance styles.
Examples are:
- A showcase/exhibition of each dance style with the correct drum or recorded music.
- Synchronized team dance – An example would be 4 grass dancers doing the same moves to a Northern Drum.
- Line dancing with southern straight dancers with the correct drum or recorded music.
- Specialty dances of certain styles, such as Traditional dances doing a Sneak-Up or Duck-n-Dive.
- Hoop dancing, snake dance, trick songs, sneak up, crow hop, duck and dive, dropped article, round dance.
In choosing the dance(s) in which you will perform, consider the following:
- Dances must be NON-RELIGIOUS and in good taste.
- Society, clan, or family dances are not acceptable.
- This is NOT the Historical Team Dance Competition! But for your information – Tribal Councils have asked that the Boy Scouts of America refrain from performing the following dances: Masked dances of: Pueblos, Apache, Iroquois, Creek, Cherokee, or Northwest Coast tribes (A mask is defined as anything that covers the face of the wearer hiding his true identity.). The Ghost Dance, the Pipe ceremony, the Pipe Dance, the Sun Dance, the Hopi Snake Dance, Gourd Dance and the Peyote Ritual are also not acceptable (These dances are NOT acceptable for any conference competition.) At this point in time we are not allowing smoke and stomp dancing for any conference competition.
- The time limit is 15-20 minutes total time on stage. Total time includes: prop/scenery set up (if any), narrative, dance(s), dance clothes changes (if any), and removal of any props/scenery. Timing begins when the first participant steps onto the competition floor. (Note: Background scenery is not necessary or required.)
- Teams are limited to a maximum of three (3) dances. Performance of more than one dance is not required, but teams should ensure that judges are provided enough presentation time to fairly assess the team’s knowledge and abilities.
C. Rules Concerning Attire
- No protected species parts allowed on any attire. Please be aware of State and Federal laws regarding endangered species parts.
- Within the guidelines found in the U.S. Code as to the American Flag, flags are not to be used as wearing apparel. With this in mind, no type of U.S. Flag(s) will be permitted as a part of dance attire and should be removed prior to the conference. Flag motifs in quillwork, beadwork, and cloth work are acceptable.
- National Order of the Arrow Face Paint Policy: Order of the Arrow National Conferences and activities conducted beyond the individual lodge will not permit face paint, body paint or wigs to be used in social or competition dancing, in ceremonies, or ceremonies competition.
- The Boy Scouts of America policy regarding firearms and knives, as stated in the Guide to Safe Scouting will be followed. While we are guests at a university campus, we will abide by the campus policy regarding weapons.
D. Lodge Team Dance (Powwow Exhibition Team Dance) Registration Procedures
The Registration Form can be filled out with the Google Form titled “NOAC Team Competition Registration” at this link.
This is due by June 30, 2022 so we can plan what day and time you will perform. The team’s Chairman and Adviser must check in at the American Indian Activities office during NOAC registration, Monday, July 25, to confirm competition registration, receive a performance time, and receive up to date information on mandatory meetings, team roster requirements, etc.
E. Lodge Team Dance (Powwow Exhibition Team Dance)
Teams competing in the Lodge Team Dance Competition will be judged and awarded a score by each judge on the judging panel in each of the seven (7) areas discussed below. Each area is worth a maximum of ten (10) points and teams may receive a point score ranging from 0 to 10. Team standing/placement is determined by totaling all points received from the judges. Actual scores/points given by judges will not be provided to the teams, however critique sheets from all judges will be provided to the team at the conclusion of its performance. Relative ranking of the teams will be available the day after the competition is finished.
E.1. Performance
Performances will differ from team to team as to what the content is. Some involve audience participation as well. Because of this broad spectrum, it is difficult to give exact guidelines as to what the judges expect. The most important thing is we expect that the dance show is an accurate representation of contemporary powwow dance styles that is used to educate others in an entertaining way. Judges will evaluate the accuracy of the narration and dances as well as the skill of the team in performing their various roles in the show. Entertainment is an important factor here as well and will be judged accordingly.
E.2. Master of Ceremonies (MC)
Each group will need a MC to speak for the entire group about what performance is about to take place. The role of the MC is to inform and educate the audience and the MC is expected to show their knowledge about the dances that will be performed. Teams are encouraged to seek an Arrowman that is a great public speaker, engaging, enthusiastic, and understandable. Today’s Powwow MC’s do an excellent job of keeping the powwow flowing and are very knowledgeable.
E.3. American Indian Dance Clothes
Please see the individual dance competition resources for guidance on dance clothes.
E.4. Authenticity
Teams will be judged on the quality of the interpretation and presentation of their dance(s). Contemporary dances must be a good reflection of the current trends in the powwow world.
E.5. Ability to Perform as a Team
Teams will be judged on their ability to perform their dance(s) so as to exhibit a true oneness and feeling for the dance(s). Teamwork and perceptive interpretation of the dance(s) by the team as a whole will be considered.
E.6. Music
Teams will be judged on their use of drumming, singing, and any other necessary musical accompaniment that should be used for their particular dance(s). As always, quality, as well as the authenticity of the musical aspect, will be considered. The use of recorded music can be used and is encouraged. Bonus points will be given to teams that use their own drum team (max of 10 points.) If you choose to use your own live drum and have singers you will need good quality singing. A team will need to choose wisely when considering having good quality recorded music or an average drum group. Today’s Powwows have a strong connection to major drum groups attracting some of the best-talented dancers. Music can be placed on a CD or MP3 format to be used on the sound system provided by the host university equipment and/or NOAC.
E.7. General Effect and Impression
The general effect and impression of the overall presentation will also be evaluated. This somewhat subjective criterion will permit judges to evaluate the educational, entertainment, and informational worth of the overall presentation. Good use of allotted dance time will be considered.
F. Recognition and Awards
- Each team will be evaluated and given a rating once their points are tallied up. The ratings will be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Dance Team. Awards will be given to the teams appropriate to their rating. The judges may also specially recognize some teams that performed exceptionally well in their top-notch performance. Ribbons will be awarded to each participant that performs on the recognized dance team.
- The winning team will be given the opportunity to perform at the Conference Festival Powwow.
Important Notes:
- There will be a meeting of all judges and leaders of the teams in competition 30 minutes after the Opening Arena Show, the first day of NOAC. The adult advisor and youth chairman of each team must be present at this meeting. The location of the meeting will be available at registration check-in.
- Powwow Exhibition Team Dance Competition will be held during NOAC at times given during registration.
- Any questions regarding the Powwow Exhibition Team Dance competition should be addressed to:
2022 NOAC AIA Competitions Manager:
James Barton
Email: oaaiastaff@gmail.com
Phone: (843) 557-7038