DCHP-1 Online

pow-wow ((n.)) † [< Algonk.]

• 1a n. among Indians: a conference or gathering to discuss business or to engage in some ceremonial or rite.

  • 1872  (1883)  A lot of half-naked redskins came out of the trees, and the pow-wow commenced.
  • 1965  Colonel Wolseley . . . attended a pow-wow at Fort Frances . . . with Crooked Neck, the principal Ojibwa chief [in 1870].

• 1b n. among Indians: the noise and hubbub accompanying such a gathering.

  • 1841  The signal to board was given--the terrifying pow wow raised--the woods re-echoed the howl.
  • 1920  The pow-wow . . . was everlastingly heard during the afternoon. . . .

• 1c n. among Indians: See quote.

  • 1908  Four hundred miles down stream, the Blackfeet Indians were met and with great pow-wow of trading turned their furs over to the crafty Assiniboines to be taken down to York.

• 1d n. among Indians: a modified festival and ceremony taking the form of a present-giving party after the passing of the Potlatch Law.

  See also: give-away dance  

  • 1952  In some localities, notably the Lake of the Woods district they still held their "pow-wows" or give-away dances, at which they vied with each other in the giving away or exchanging of their treasured possessions, and to which they came adorned in their finest bead-work moccasins, belts and fire bags.

• 2a n. Informal among whites: a conference or meeting.

  • 1883  The Reform pow-wow which has recently been inflicted upon the people of Toronto gives at least some assurance that the Reform party is still in existence.
  • 1958  The 15th annual pow-wow is expected to consider the federal Indian Act and proposed amendments now before Parliament.
  • 1962  . . . he turned up in London at a periodical pow-wow initiated by one Cyrus Eaton. . . .

• 2b n. Informal among whites: a chat or discussion.

  • 1903  Being anxious to die rich, I have decided, after a prolonged pow-wow with my wife, to start in the newspaper business at Leduc, an alleged town twenty miles south of Edmonton.
  • 1950  "Run into him at the blacksmith's, gittin' a loose shoe put right. With him an hour. Had quite a pow-wow. Told me he was aimin' to have supper with Aunt Zina."

• 2c n. Informal among whites: a social gathering, usually featuring a campfire after dark.

  • 1943  A new slate of officers was presented by J. Murray Gibbon at the annual pow-wow held Monday night in the big pow-wow tent on the grounds of Banff Springs Hotel.
  • 1958  The ride will end with a chuckwagon-style supper and grand pow-wow on the grounds of Banff Springs Hotel . . . and the Association's annual meeting.

• 3 n. B.C. a fair or exhibition held by Indians.

  • 1959  I wish to express my sincere thoughts to all my friends and our wonderful supporters of the Capilano Indian Pow-wow, and I want to thank you all who have contributed one way or another and have made our All Indian Show a success in the past eleven years.
  • 1964  The Indian "pow wows" held in recent years at North Vancouver, the "Indian Days" at Kamloops, and other gatherings such as the Williams Lake stampedes are similar occasions for Indians to enjoy renewed social contacts and gain recognition as Indians.