[wpspoiler name=”Northern Cree music at an Intertribal Pow Wow” open=”true” style=”aatw-video”][/wpspoiler]

Starting in the early to mid 20th century Native American tribes and members of First Nations, particularly on the U.S. and Canadian east coast, trying to counter a loss of their ancient religion, music and dance, began to meet regularly in “Pow Wows,” which are large, public, often multi-tribal cultural events and meetings. These gatherings have given tribes a chance to communicate about cross-tribal issues, as well as to share elements of their own tribal culture with others. This cross-cultural pollination can encourage tribes to find pride in their own traditions, while it can also lead to the development of unified “intertribal” music and dance styles that de-emphasize any one tribal culture.

Planning to go to an intertribal pow wow? Read the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s pdf, “Your Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Pow Wows.”

[Watch a Northern Cree musical performance at Intertribal Powwow | Watch a musical performance at Montana’s Crow Fair | See highlights of the 2008 Crow Fair | Watch “Lickety Split” singing at the Gallup Intertribal Pow Wow | Watch a Duck and Dive dance at the Nanticoke pow wow]