rules

Dancer Rules

The UNITY Powwow rules are intended to have a fair contest, and allow each dancer the best opportunity to demonstrate his or her best style including participation points. The committee has chosen to list the points, as is, to assure there are no extra points, and the results will be posted upon the closing of the powwow. All the rules will be strictly enforced. Each dancer will have equal opportunity to place, in order to place; everyone must participate in FULL regalia in ALL Grand Entries, Grand Exits, and Spot Checks, NO EXCEPTIONS!! The exception will be for the Tiny Tots and Jr’s for the Grand Exit, they will have a special spot check sometime after the Grand Entry prior to being excused. The committee has a great respect for all our children so they will be dismissed earlier to get a ‘good night’ sleep, etc.

1. All Host Drums, Head staff, and Committee members, and immediate family members of the Committee (Head Staff excluded), will not be allowed to contest. The Committee, however, encourages those to participate in intertribals, etc. During Specials, it will be to the family’s discretion to allow participation.

2. Dancers must register in 1 category only, age appropriate. A dancer may register ‘up’ in an age category; for example, a 17 year old may be allowed to dance as an Adult. But once your registered, you cannot switch down. No dancers will be allowed to register ‘down’ in age categories to allow fairness to the younger generations. The only exception would be to allow a Golden Age to compete in an Adult category, if they choose to do so.

3. All Dancers must be dressed in FULL REGALIA, roaches on, hairstyles done, etc during Grand Entry, Spot Checks, and Grand Exits. Otherwise points will not be given.

4. All Dancers must be ready when called to contest. Your category will be called upon at least 5 minutes prior to contesting. Non-contestants will be welcomed.

5. Banners, Crowns and other signs of royalty are not to be worn during the contest.

6. The dropping of feathers or important parts of the regalia will result in disqualification for that session only.

7. Whistles or placing money on the floor for a dancer during the contest will result in disqualification for that session.

8. No family member, through blood marriage or adoption, shall judge the particular contest, which has a relative competing.

9. No use of Alcohol or drugs will be allowed. If detected the dancer will be disqualified for that day.

POINT SYSTEM:

Grand Entry = 10 points Grand Exit = 5 points Fri night & Sat afternoon only

Spot Checks = 1 point Tiny Tot and Jr’s Special Spot Check = 5 points

1st Place = 3 points

2nd Place = 2 points

3rd Place = 1 point

The Committee Members are committed to sponsoring an honest and fair competition for all participants.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL DANCERS! REMEMBER …HAVE FUN!

Drum and Singer Rules

The UNITY Powwow rules are intended to have a fair contest, and allow each drum the best opportunity to demonstrate their appropriate singing style including participation points. The committee has chosen to list the points, as is, to assure there are no extra points, and the results will be posted upon the closing of the powwow. All the rules will be strictly enforced. Each drum will have equal opportunity to place. In order to place; all drums must have their surroundings clean, every registered singer sitting at the drum, including drum roll call, and ready to sing, NO EXCEPTIONS!! The exception will be at Grand Entry, if a singer is a registered dancer or participating in a contest and intertribals.

2. Drums must have a minimum of 5 singers to participate. A minimum of 3 singers are required at drum roll call with sticks in hand, backup singers are not counted.

3. Backup Singers who are registered with the drums must sing with all contest songs. No pickups or backup singer hopping allowed.

4. All Drums must be ready when called to contest. You will be notified what category song will be picked at least 5 minutes prior to contesting by the Arena Director.

5. Drums must sing the appropriate song for the category picked. If the drum does not know an appropriate song, please advise the Arena Director immediately so you can be called on to sing the next appropriate song. Northern drums will not be singing for Southern categories and vice versa.

6. Absolutely NO DRUM HOPPING ALLOWED.

7. Whistles during a judged contest song will result in disqualification for that session.

8. No family member, through blood marriage or adoption, shall judge the drum contest, which has a relative competing.

9. No use of Alcohol or drugs will be allowed. If detected that 1 singer is under the influence he/she will be asked to leave for the remainder of the day. If there are 2 or more singers that are under the influence the drum will be disqualified for that session and will be asked to leave until the next session.

**Singers, the committee would like to express the importance of a drug and alcohol free powwow. Please remember, you are the role models to the younger generation and there are many young children who look up to our singers. Our Native youths do need positive role model reinforcement, so please refrain from vulgar language, inappropriate actions, and respect for one another around the drum. Thank You.

POINT SYSTEM:

Drum Roll Call = 5 points

All Registered Singers ready for contest = 5 points

Cleanliness around the drum = 2 points

Appropriate Song = 1 point

# Of Leads = 1 point for different lead singer

Quality of Song = 0-5 points

Timing of Leads = 0-5 points

Unison – voice = 0-5 points

Unison – drumbeat = 0-5 points

The Committee Members are committed to sponsoring an honest and fair competition for all participants.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL DRUMS! Remember to HAVE FUN!!