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The National Mall will come alive in a colorful expression of song and dance on the weekend of Sept. 14–15 when the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian holds its first-ever nationwide pow wow. Judges will pick winners in traditional competition categories such as 'Men’s Grass', 'Women’s Traditional', 'Women’s Jingle Dress' and 'Men’s Fancy'.

Pow wows are social gatherings of hundreds of Native Americans who follow dances started centuries ago by their ancestors and that continually evolve to include contemporary aspects. Usually held between April and October, these events of feasting, drum music and dance are attended by Natives and non-Natives, all of whom join in the dancing and take advantage of the opportunity to see old friends and teach the traditional ways to a younger generation.

The Smithsonian’s pow wow, an intertribal and, indeed, free public event, will be held on the Mall next to the site of the National Museum of the American Indian, now under construction on Independence Avenue at Fourth Street. The museum is scheduled to open in fall 2004 and this pow wow is one of a number of public events that the museum will host between now and the time it opens.

"The National Museum of the American Indian Inaugural Pow Wow will be a wonderful opportunity for the museum to introduce Washington-area audiences to a traditional Plains-style pow wow, with all the dancing and feasting 'and coming together of many Indian people' that accompanies such events across Indian Country", says museum Director W. Richard West (Southern Cheyenne). The audience will see dancers representing hundreds of tribal nations in full regalia compete in several dance categories including Men and Women’s senior (50 and over); Men’s fancy dance, grass and traditional (Northern and Southern); Women’s jingle dress, fancy shawl and traditional (Northern and Southern); Teens (13–17); Juniors (6–12) and Tiny Tots (5 and under). More than $77,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top five finishers in each category.

The drum groups are the heart of all pow wows and provide the pulsating beat that accompanies a dancer’s every movement. They are led by two 'host drums' that showcase two distinct styles of singing (Northern and Southern) and represent the best examples of each style. The drum contest will highlight groups of 10 to 12 members each who frequently come from the same family and sing traditional songs that often have been written by family members and are handed down from one generation to the next. The host drums are Black Lodge (Blackfeet) from Washington state and Cozad (Kiowa) from Oklahoma.

Each pow wow begins with the Grand Entry, which is a procession of all the dancers into the dance arena. This brilliant sea of color is scheduled to be led by the pow wow honorary chairman, Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and an American Indian military veteran color guard.

Native foods such as Indian tacos, frybread and corn soup will be sold and authentic Native arts and crafts may be purchased directly from noted jewelers and artisans.

For additional information about the pow wow, the general public may call 202-357-3164 ext. 159 for a recorded message or visit the museum's web site.