Because she has been very ill and weak, River cannot join in the dancing at this year's tribal powwow, she can only watch from the sidelines as her sisters and cousins dance the celebration--but as the drum beats she finds the faith to believe that she will recover and dance again.

"When Uncle and Windy Girl attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Uncle's stories inspire visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. In these magical scenes, Windy sees veterans in a Grand Entry, and a visiting drum group, and traditional dancers, grass dancers, and jingle-dress...

An introduction to Oklahoma powwows including an explanation of the meaning of powwow in Indian culture, how it has evolved, the role of the drum, the head singer and the songs in powwows and related celebrations.

"A pow wow begins with the Grand Entry. The Eagle Staff leads the procession as the traditional flag made of feathers from an eagle. Traditional dancers enter from the East, following the Eagle Staff, then come the fancy dancers, then the Hoop dancers, followed by the Shawl Dancers, and finally the boys and girls."--from the back cover.

Pow-wows are nothing without the songs. They carry the stories, which in turn carry the culture. The words themselves are secondary, for it is the sound that is heard by the spirits of all living creatures.

"Religious in nature. The Grass Dance evolved from warrior society dances. It is one of the oldest dances, and portrays a warrior in search of ceremonial place. The dancer moves like the tall grass of the prairies as it sways in the wind. The traditional dance expresses the pride and dignity of the brave warriors of past and present; it is here where Indians honor their past. The best dancers are able to tell a story through their body movements,...

"There are those who embrace Indian culture, see the Pow-wow dances as ballet, and regard Native people in general as both fascinating and honorable. They come from such places as the Czech Republic, Denmark and Germany. They put on their own Pow-wows, having learned the languages and dances from our people. It is an interesting commentary on how Europeans in general - seek out identities to latch onto, because their own culture and spirituality leave...

"Expressing themselves in the white man's world, American Indian musicians have adapted the traditional music into a new style which has found its way into the mainstream."--from the back cover.

"Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn't feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort. Inspired by her son's experience--and her family's love of powwow music and dance--Indigenous educator...

Twins Jamie and Marie Longbow are excited about spending the summer with their grandparents, traveling from powwow to powwow selling goods they helped make. But when their grandmother's necklace goes missing, it's up to the twins to solve the mystery.