PROGRAM ETIQUETTE

Photography is allowed during this museum program.

 

No eating, drinking, or gum chewing is permitted.

 

Your students will also have the opportunity to learn about the importance of Powwow’s in current Native American culture.  Some etiquette will be required when participating in the Powwow station.  

1.  Do Not Touch Any Regalia!
                 Ornaments have special meaning; many of the handcrafted outfits can    
                 cost hundreds of dollars, and are cherished for having been made in part
             or in whole by a particularly respected family member.  Frequently, the
                 outfits are heirlooms and may be delicate.  The feathers have special
             sacredness and should not be touched.  

2.  Random talking, running, or playing is not allowed. 

           3.  If time permits, your students might be asked to participate in the    
           Powwow dancing, please encourage them to take this opportunity to join in
           the dancing and learn something new from a different culture.  Being asked
           to participate is a privilege and not participating is considered
           disrespectful.

 Please take the time to discuss stereotypes with your class before attending. 
 

What is a Stereotype?  A stereotype is an idea about something or someone that is not accurate or leads to an inaccurate view.  Stereotyping has both negative and positive effects on everyone and everything. Stereotypes are mostly unfair generalizations about different types of people.  

Where do stereotypes come from? They arise naturally from people’s efforts to understand and explain people who are different from themselves. Stereotypes generally arise within cultural, religious, ethnic, societal, gender, and professional groups.  

Examples of inappropriate behavior during this program based on stereotypes are: war whoops, mock drum beating, saying “HOW” and tomahawk chops.  Also, when asking participants/students to sit, no not ask them to sit “Indian-style”.  You may choose to suggest they sit like a pretzel, or with their legs crossed.  .