BC Powwow?
 

Hi,
I have an interest for Aboriginal culture, I'd like to assist to one to see what it's like and take some pictures if allowed. Has anyone been to one? what should I expect?
thanks

i don't even know what you're saying....

For one you should call them aboriginal not native..

^ but they have organizations that uses native in their names. Ex. Vancouver native housing society.

"Aboriginal" is the word government uses. Therefore, probably wrong.

How about the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority? Or the Manitoba Indian Education Association?

you better check your privilege and stop that cultural appropriation right now or i'm telling the social justice warriors!

Anytime we, as a family, had to talk about something important, I (the chief, LOL) would call a "family pow wow," sans the singing and dancing.

My kids knew something was up when I called for a "family pow wow." Come to think of it, they're all in their late 20's and early 30's and I haven't called one in quite some time.

I want one of them to hold a potlatch :lawl:

BTW, indigenous, first nations, aboriginal, indian, native, etc. were used over the years and when places were named, they were named using whatever was accepted at the time. I guess it's not worth it for the organizations to change all the signs, stationery, legal correspondence, etc.

i never understood why 'natives' is politically incorrect. I mean Indians is a misnomer but how does native differ in semantics from aboriginals/first nations?

The more approachable place to go is to inquire at the UBC Longhouse.

Do note, locally there are a lot of distinct bands and each of them have their own traditions.

Longhouse | Aboriginal Portal

Where the hell is Native Russ?

For band specific activities be prepared to invest the time in getting to know the band.

Think about it this way: Some random stranger knock on your door asking if they can film you doing your private family moment.. it won't go down so well.

In general I find First Nations warms up the more you visit them.. their concept of time is a bit different than western cultures.. so one have to adjust to their terms.

Oh it also depends on how old OP is too.. if OP is still in high school I know a lot of band elders do school visits.. since they have the pull within the community you can ask them.

Pulling out your camera for a photo shoot when your invited probably won't go over that well.

I've been to a couple in MB. I also basically lived on their reserve for a couple years They also owned the company I worked for. ha

Thanks, will look into it.

I never said or implied I was gonna knock on someone's door to film.
From what I understood there are private and public powwows, i.e.: wikipedia-> "...A modern pow wow is a specific type of event for Native American/First Nations people to meet and dance, sing, socialize, and honor their cultures. Pow wows may be private or public. ..."
The public ones are what I was referring to, obviously. From that same wikipedia page they do describe The Pow wow Etiquette. This is why I am asking here to know if someone experienced it before, and if at all how easy is it to assist to one....
Anyways thanks to those who supplied relevant information. I guess I will start with that BC-Pow wow
once the calendar gets updated.