Sneak Up Dance
The Sneak-Up Dance is an ancient storytelling dance having several origins, that became known as a Sneak Up Dance when it was performed in the Wild West Shows of the 1800s.

The Sneak-Up Dance is an ancient storytelling dance having several origins, that became known as a Sneak Up Dance when it was performed in the Wild West Shows of the 1800s.

The War Dance cannot function as it once did, but it is one of the principal features of a pow wow. Traditionally, the War Dance was a major event in itself that was performed after a battle to record the brave feats performed in battle, or to prepare for an upcoming battle.
The Women’s Fancy Shawl Dance is a relatively new addition to the pow wow dance competitions. Until fairly recently, women performed their fancy dancing in traditional garb.
The Pow Wow Announcer, Arena director and Head Dancers lead the pow wow activities and make sure the powwow runs smoothly.

This article gives a general overview of the proper attire for a Fancy Shawl Dancer. Rather than the double-bustle the early Crow girls wore to dance the Fancy Dance, today’s Fancy Shawl dancer wears a dress made of a shiny fabric such as taffeta or satin.

At Crow Fair in Montana, I was told another story about the Fancy Shawl Dance. While the Crow people also equate this dance form as an expression of re-emergence and renewal of life forces, they have a very different explanation of how it began. Their version goes like this: